Sunday, November 14: Monte Sacro to Roma

 

My last day of hiking -- all urban.

A good start this morning with a buffet.

I was almost three miles from what was supposed to be my start, and it was the last time I saw a marker the whole day. I went from person to person, asking which way to go for the Basilica.

I am ready to go back to being a girl, but it will take a little work!

Look at these three!  Those are very expensive-looking feathers on their hats. They were happy to pose for me, and I was delighted to get a photo. I cannot find anything about these hats - I am guessing some type of secret society?  

Right outside the little cafe/bar where I was sitting was this statue.  I think he also had feathers on the side of his hat.

This photo and the next were on the corners of buildings, and I thought they were the most beautiful artwork I have seen on a building.

My guess is they represent Adam and Eve or maybe Antony and Cleopatra.

According to Romesite.com, "One of the most remarkable Rome landmarks, the monument of the first Italian king Vittorio Emanuelle II, is located next to the Piazza Venezia Square. The building is also called the 'Altara della Patria' – the altar of the fatherland – and commemorates the unification of Italy. Romans also use nicknames for it, such as 'typewriter' and 'wedding cake.' The colossal white building also contains a museum and the tomb of the unknown soldier, which is guarded by two soldiers."

Many beautiful bridges cross over the Tiber River.

At long last -- the end of the Via Francisco! The pope was speaking, so I could not get anywhere close to Saint Peter's Basilica, but I could hear his voice and see a tiny figure I guessed was him. But just being in the Piazza San Pietro at the end of the long journey was a cause for celebration.

More than a hundred scouts were racing to get near the crowd, already listening. I am sure they were late since it was about five minutes after twelve, and the sermon had already begun. I did not stay to hear because I wanted to get to my hotel in the Trastevere Area.  I had no idea where Trastevere was so I took a taxi!   And it was a good thing because just as I got in the cab, it started raining. 

I thought I needed to have a little celebration because, after all, Italy is all about the food, and I found this cute dessert shop.

I ordered the Mont Blanc Mandarino, and I practically swooned at the first bite.  OMG -- this tops any dessert that I have had anywhere in Italy.  

A look at the inside -- all cream and caramel and a hint of orange.  The base is chocolate cookie-like, and I have died and gone to heaven. Even that little doo-dad on top is edible chocolate.

Sooooo, how did I come to eat Indian food in Rome?  It was raining buckets, and I finally decided that I had to find somewhere for dinner.  I walked up one side of the street and down the other, not wanting to venture down any dark side streets. The only restaurant I saw open was across another street.  It looked very nice, so I wandered in.  The man immediately told me that they only serve Indian food, and I replied, "I like Indian food," which is true. He shrugged his shoulders and found me a table.  There were only Indian families eating there. I ordered chicken biryani because I didn't see shahi paneer korma, my favorite Indian recipe. Initially, I thought my biryani was very mild for Indian food, and then I had a bite that was so hot that it gave me hiccups. It continued to be very mild except for a bite here and a bite there. This was clearly authentic Indian food, and I loved it.  Every so often, someone from the kitchen came to check and see if I liked my meal.  They must never get anyone except people of Indian descent.

I asked for naan, but the waiter told me they only had pori, so I ordered it.  Much better than naan.  Pori is fried bread, and I could happily eat it with every meal or just by itself. I am a good Southern girl -- I understand fried. I was entertained by the large, boisterous family near me.  I adore Indian accents with their sing-song cadence.  Even though they spoke Italian, it still had that same happy sound.

So tomorrow, I have to find a pharmacy that gives the rapid COVID test to fly home on Tuesday.  Say a prayer for me. You will probably get one more post from me.  Kisses to you all!