We are in Rome!

We got here yesterday afternoon following a 3-1/2 hour drive from Tuscany.  That was actually the easy part.  Our first stop was to the B&B where we are staying, to drop off our luggage before returning the rental car.  We went from one extreme to the other.  In Tuscany, at the top of a mountain with no one around, we had an apartment with enough space for 4 people and dining room space for 10.  It was probably 1200 square feet.  In Rome we moved into a room that including the bathroom, is no larger the 120 square feet.  We are on a busy street with cars double parked all over the place and three blocks from St. Peter's.  But we fit!

The hard part wasn't fitting in the room.  The hard part was getting the car across town to Termini, the rail/bus station where we had to return the rental.  Driving in Rome is challenging.  It took almost an hour due to construction detours, road markings we couldn't understand, and not really knowing where to go other than TERMINI.  Chris and I were VERY HAPPY when the rental agent said, "All done.  Ciao!"  

Then it was walking and walking and walking.  We made our way through half of Rome that afternoon and evening.  We visited Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, a number of churches, and ended with dinner at Piazza Novona where we sat outside and watched the people go by.  The piazza is one of Rome's treats with musicians, comedians, clowns and artists filling the square.  Dinner was good and we relaxed, pinching ourselves to assure that this was real.  

Today it was antiquities first and we toured the Roman Forum and Colosseum and visited the Pantheon.  It was the hottest day of this year so far, so we probably got burned but it was "awesome".  Also awesome was one of those God-things.  Standing in front of the Pantheon, we look over and there stands Emily Starnes and Ian!  Small world stuff?  No more than that it was a God-thing.  We caught up a little.  Ian is headed home to Virginia Beach tomorrow.  You can see their pic here.

We also visited quite a few unbelievable churches with art work from all the masters.  Dinner tonight was at a wonderful little place in Trastevere.  

Tomorrow is Vatican City and St. Peter's.  We will say a prayer for all of you.

Ciao.  Bob and Chris