Friday, May 2 - Rome

This morning we started our day with the Scavi Tour. This is a tour that goes under the main alter of St. Peter's to where they say Peter was buried. They built that church on top of an entire cemetary so when you walk under it, you're in the little rows and aisleways between the tombs. It's like a little town of family tombs. We did see the little box of only 18 bones that truly all they can say about it is they are human remains. As to whether or not Peter is actually in there, I've yet to be completely convinced. I've read information that argues otherwise. I think it could be possible, but I'm not sure. Anyway after that was over, we walked around a bit in the Vatican City area. Saw some cars that I think were in a race, all Ferrari's and Lamborghini's. We got some sandwiches from a little shop and sat on a curb to eat and watch people. A woman parked her car right across the street from us. Not five minutes later a couple of cops came by. They felt her hood to see if her car had been there long. They stood there a while trying to decide whether or not to write a ticket. You're supposed to have a pass on the dash to park there. Just as they decided to give the ticket, she showed up and argued with them. She bought a pass from the machine that was right there close by and the cops left. It was pretty funny. We got a gelato after that and then went back to the hotel for a nap. We met our tour guide, Barbara, at 1:00. She was great! We learned so many things that, sadly, we'll never rmember but she did an awesome job. She took us to all the famous ruins that day, the Coloseum, the Forum, Palatine Hill. We saw where Julius Caesar was cremated and where Marc Antony made his "Friends, Romans, Countrymen...," speech. We saw the Quirinale Palace where the Italian president lives. It was MONSTROUS!!! Unbelievable. We also went to the building the locals refer to as "the Wedding Cake." It's huge, layered and white. It was here we stopped our tour with her and we parted ways. We were ready to go eat supper but she told us nobody eats this early (5:00). She suggested a gelato place to us that would be on our way and we could also check out the Trevi fountain. She suggested a restaurant to us and told us to make a reservation no earlier than 7:30. So we did exactly that, saw the fountain, got gelato, went to the room and made reservation. The place was La Piccola Cuccagna on Via della Cuccagna, south of Piazza Navona. (photo below) We were able to rest for about an hour before going over there. We took a taxi when we went because my feet were shot. The food was just so-so, very bland. I had roast veal and Troy had grilled sole. After supper we hung out in the piazza for a long time watching people and the peddlers and listening to various muscians trying to make a buck. We bought some flying toys that light up for the kids. I hope they work. There was also lots of artists in the square, one in particular who was drawing the most beautiful pencil portraits. They looked so real. Eventually we called it a night and headed back to the room. Our first full day in Rome was very full of activities.

17487 steps walked
6.942 miles
896 calories burned
2:45 hrs walked