For all of the people that tease me about being on time/early, it certainly paid off yesterday. The day before, I scouted out where the train station was, and how long it would take me to walk there pulling my suitcase. So I left in time to get there an hour early and discovered that the train station had moved to a remote location. I raced back to the hotel to ask for a taxi but there were none working. My very gracious hotel manager/owner drove me to the new train station in the boonies and I made the train. He wouldn't take any money either. Another Camino angel! Had I not been uber early, I would probably still be trying to get out of Aulla. I had to change trains two times but I managed that part with ease.
What is not to like about wandering Rome. I am not going to post a lot of dialogue but I am going to post some photos. This is The Basilica of Saint Mary Major, or church of Santa Maria Maggiore, and is a Major papal basilica as well as one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome. It is the largest church in the world dedicated to Saint Mary.
Upon eterering the Basilica, I realized that the main hall was nearly as long as a football field. It is breath-takingly beautiful.
One of my favorite stained glass windows that I have seen.
After touring the basilica and saying my prayers, I heard out to see more of Roma. I have not stayed in this part of Rome for a number of years. Usually I stay closer to the Vatican.
For lunch, I stopped at one of the sidewalk cafes and ordered a greek salad. Not my favorite lunch that I have eaten, but I think I have had such incredible food that I am getting picky.
The Victor Emmanuel II National Monument is also known as "Mole del Vittoriano" or simply "Vittoriano", and "Altare della Patria", which are now the most commonly used names for it.
In 1878, a few years after the unification of Italy, the Italian Parliament decided to dedicate a monument to the King Vittorio Emanuele II, who had recently passed away, and to the entire Risorgimento period. It is one of the most recognized monuments in Rome.
From the outside, it doesn't look all that impressive but the Basilica San Marco is all that. Fabulous San Marco is a minor basilica in Rome dedicated to Saint Mark the Evangelist located in the small Piazza di San Marco adjoining Piazza Venezia. It was first built in 336 by Pope Mark, whose remains are in an urn located below the main altar. The basilica is the national church of Venice in Rome.
Every inch of this Basilica was decorated to the hilt.
Tese two photos are for my Mom (Sylvia Garmon) and all the people who love blue. I know they are a little hard to see because I had to take them through a window but every appliance is in this gorgeous blue willow type pattern.
This was an even bigger refridgrator in the blue pattern. I wanted to bring them all home for my Mom, but they wouldn't fit in my luggage. Sorry Mom.
Every time I visit Rome, it is like visiting a new place. Every day they find new evidence of the city below the current city of Rome. Excavations have been going on for years, and will continue for several lifetimes.
I walked past the Vespa Museum. These were from 1972.
Evidently, this is a famous pub in Rome. I don't know about the pub, but I thought the name and the sign were so cute.
There is an advantage to getting gelato and eating it in the restaurant. Today, I chose banana and straciatella. It cooled me off in a hurry and was so tasty. This disadvantage is that it is way more expensive to eat the gelato in the restaurant but sometimes, it is just worth it.
I ordered gnocchi fattti in casa cacio e pepe con turfufo negro which is gnocchi with black truffles. YUM! As crazy as it sounds, I ordered the ensalada mixta just for the olive oil and balsamic. See that brown bag. It was filled with various types of amazing bread. The Italians don't eat butter with the evening meal so I get the salad, which is in itself wonderful, but it also gives me olive oil and balsamic. One of the premier meals I have had in Italy. The hotel recommended this little restaurant and it was a good recommendation. I sat outside and totally enjoyed the experience.
So tomorrow at 0-dark-30, I head out to catch the first flight of many that will lead me home.
Thank you for flying along with me on this journey of triumph and near tragedy! Alls well that ends well. God be with you today and always.
Until the next journeey - Buen Camino!
