Sunday,  30 December 2012

We wanted to go across the Tiber river to a neighborhood known as Trastevere or “trans Tiber”.  I started the day early again wandering a nearly deserted Rome landscape at 7:30, long before most tourists are around.  I like watching the city wake up as Romans prepare for another day.  You never know what might go past you on the street.  I walked the route from the Pantheon to the Vittorio Emanuel monument and over to the Roman Forum.  There was lots of preparation around the latter for the upcoming concert and fireworks display the next day for New Years Eve.  Circling around back to the apartment I picked up Alessandra and we headed out on foot while Laura and Claire planned on following just a bit later via taxi.

We met up in the Piazza di Santa Maria di Trastevere where there was some great local music provided by and accordionist and bass player.  There are a few cafes on the piazza so we decided to have lunch there also.  Then it was off for some street wandering through the neighborhood.  This is a slower less ‘big attraction’ part of Rome.  It is a livable area for people with lots of little restaurants and fewer shopping destinations.  We again split up for the return to the apartment.   I went on my own and by the end of the day had logged 7 miles of walking on the cobble stones of Rome.  The day ended with an early meal near the apartment and gelato since we had a busy day planned for New Years Eve.

Early in the morning the horse drawn carriages come into the city ahead of the traffic and take up position around the city and wait for the tourists to arrive.

Rome is filled with wall mounted shrines dedicated to Mary and various saints. They range from small to wonderfully grand. This one is in the Piazza della Rotunda.

The sun finally rises high enough over one side of the piazza to begin to spill into the upper stories on the opposite side.

The Vittorio Emanuel monument is a fantastic landmark to see in Rome. It is extremely large, constructed of white marble, and sometimes referred to as the “wedding cake” due to it’s tiered and curved facade. It is also the location of the Italian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Looking toward the Colosseum.

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St Peters rising above the surrounding city.

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If you need to escape the crowds and cars to go for a jog this is the place to do it.

Allie and I walked past this seagull just chillin’ on the edge of a huge fountain pool. We wondered if he might want the last bit of a gelato cone???

I’ll take that as a “Yes!”

Back past the flower vendors.

The local music scene.

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Everybody needs one of these.

Probably praying she can come back to Rome again.

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This is sooooo much fun!