Friday, February 22, 2008

Bella Roma Day 2

Wednesday morning came fast, especially since we didn't go to bed till quite late. Myra left early for a day trip for work and Michael and I slept in. When we got up, we headed straight out the door after of course changing to go across the street to a little cafe called, "Friends Cafe" where we got some coffee and croissants. It was good and fast so we could come back and take showers and pack up for the day and get on our way.

We started our "sightseeing" by walking from Myra's place to the Spanish steps which is about a 10-15 minute walk. When we got there we sat on the steps for a while watching the world go by.

Spanish Steps




After the Spanish Steps we walked around alot and found lunch at a cute little cafe. We ate outside under heated lamps, but the wind started to blow and it got quite cold. When we left we had the intention to go to the Pantheon, but since we just went the "general direction" and weren't really looking at a map to get there, we ended up by the river close to Vatican City, so went there instead. When we got there I had to use the restroom and Michael was convinced he remembered there being a restroom hidden on a wall on close to the entrance I wasn't so sure about this, but as we started walking underneath the columns it all came back to me and I knew he was right and there it was, a hidden and empty restroom! We sat on the steps in the square for a long time. The sun was out and I was in heaven. It was so warm I even rolled up my sleeves and helped my body make lots of vitamin D!

Michael Crossing Over the Bridge
Tiber River

St. Peters Square and Cathedral

I LOVE this picture.
Michael and the two nuns.

I'm in green, sunbathing

We decided we would try to go to the Pantheon again, so after reading a map we were on our way and this time made it there. It was about a 45 minute walk or so, but as Myra will attest to, we can out walk anybody in fact in Paris in 2002, she gave Michel the nickname "Walking Nazi'. The Pantheon was just as huge as I remember. It is such an amazing building and to think that the building that is there now has been standing there since 125AD blows my mind.

Pantheon
Can you find Michael? He is hard to miss ;)


It was starting to get later and later and we needed to meet Myra back at the apartment at 7:00. We knew we had a long trek back home so we got some Gelato for the road and headed back. Our plan was to go to the Spanish Steps and then from there back to Myra's house, until we saw signs for the Trevi Fountain (which is relatively close to the Spanish Steps) so, made a detour to go there instead. We spent a few days on our first trip sitting by the fountain eating lunch. When we were here in 2002 the fountain area seemed so empty, there were usually only about 20 other people there with us. It was the end of February on that trip also, so I don't know why this time, there were so many more people. We didn't sit on the steps in front of the fountain but on the wall to the side of it. I found a little corner that I fit in perfectly and Michael stood and researched the map to find the best way home. This time, we made it all the way home with no stops. We were gone from 11:00am til 6:00pm. It was a lovely day of walking around the incredible city, taking it all in and enjoying ourselves.

Coffee Flavored Gelato

Trevi Fountain


This is look like when I walk for 6 hours. Tired!

In the evening the three of us went to the grocery store to stock up on food for the party that was happening the next night at Myra's place. We loaded our backpacks down with 12 bottle of Procceco and tons of food. We also got some pasta, bread, and pesto for dinner along with a jar of instant coffee so we didn't have to run out the door so fast the next morning, breakfast for the morning and a toothbrush for me because mine is sitting in our cabinet in the bathroom in Lyngby. oops. We ate our food, drank some wine from Macedonia and had a lovely evening.

Cooking Ravioli stuffed with Ricotta and Spinach

6 comments:

MoMo 2.0 said...

first of all... Michael and the nuns..........TOO ADORABLE! Í can see some major photo shop opportunities!!

but second... eating Gelato in the middle of Italy! WOW..... like eating croissants in Paris and....DANISHES in Copenhagen! LOL

Looks like you are having a ball! Texas sized hugs to Michael and Myra!

Ellen and Sharon said...

We know that Michael received a special blessing from those two nuns. That was a hoot to see. Wow, Nichole! You two make us tired just reading about your walks. Europe is such a special place. We hope to see all of these places one day, but at a much SLOWER pace. Myra looks wonderful. We love you both!

Anonymous said...

Great pictures, as always! There is definitely a great poster or a funny saying in that picture of Michael and the nuns! :-) The food must be fantastic there; REAL Italian food. Mmmmm.

Marianne said...

I keep refreshing the page but some of your pictures don't appear - like the one of Michael and the nuns!!! :(

Did you see the little stone elephant by the Pantheon? I think it's by the side of the Pantheon (or behind).

This post really made me want to go back to Rome! (I also remember the restroom in the wall by Sct. Peter's Cathedral!)

Anonymous said...

Wow thats a lot of walking!! You guys rule :) And yeah, a building THAT old is just crazy. How cool :)

Nichole said...

Marianne, No we didnt see the Pantheon, but we got back to the Pantheon after I had read your comment and went looking for it and found it :) Thanks!

Also hope the pictures are working for you now... if not, I'll have to email you the one of Michael and the nuns!