Rome by Night

Last night the four of us took the Metro up to Piazza Popolo, and began our moonlit stroll. We walked down narrow cobblestone roads lined with storefronts and window displays for Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Bulova, Prada, Fendi, etc. We stopped at the Spanish Steps for some photos, then back along the winding path to Trevi Fountain.

The Fountain was probably the first thing on our vacation that truly took Emily's breath away. The sights and sounds were fantastic. We stayed for a while, taking pictures and tossing coins in the fountain, then we were off to find a restaurant.

Unfortunately, we now know how to spot a tourist trap. Alluring decor, "Combo Meals" on a menu in English, a room full of Americans, and scowling waitresses. And terrible food, it turns out too. Well, now we know, right? We had been warned several times to avoid these places, but nobody really told us how to spot them. We think now that we've experienced it, we're set.

Afterwards, we considered stopping at a tavern or somewhere to wash out the bad taste the restaurant had left in our mouths - literally and figuratively. But it was obvious we were all too tired to go on, so we said goodnight. Emily and I enjoyed a chocolate cake at our hotel restaurant's terrace, then went to sleep.

This morning we met up again, bright and early, to tour the Forum. There were several beautiful places for photographs, as you'll see in tonight's update. While there, we saw the spot where Julius Caesar's body was burned, and the inside of the Curia, or Senate house. On the way back to our hotel, we ran into a parade of CGIL protesters. We're not sure what CGIL stands for, but from the flags they were carrying, it was pretty obvious they were communists. We had lunch on the terrace, watching them march by, waving their red flags, as well as flags of Cuba, USSR, and Che Guevara.

We said goodbye to Emily and Mike, who are now on their way to Venice, and we are going to visit the zoo and the bone crypt. Ciao!