I have to honestly say, Rome is crazy and wonderful at the same time. It is a city of cultural intricacies (you don't see a lot of women hanging out with the men at the corner bar). There are certain things you can observe being a foreigner and it is interesting and strange at the same time. For example, this morning Rico and I went to the corner bar to have our breakfast. Breakfast is a pastry and a coffee usually served at the bar and consumed in about 3 minutes and usually by men. I order a cappuccino and a pastry and am the only female in the bar in about an hour. Interesting bonding time for Italian men.
Day 2 we went to the Vatican museum and St. Peter's Basilica. Navigating with Carlyn was a challenge as handicapped entrances and exits were not clearly marked, but no problemo. We had a taxi pick us up at the hotel and drop us off at St. Peter's. We asked the guards where to go for handicapped entrance and they directed us around the corner to the Vatican. We received amazing service with Carlyn. They let us right in at the ramp at the entrance (no lines) and let us up the elevator to the ticket lines. I had already purchased tickets and we went through with no problem. However, we had to see the Vatican museum backwards and we had to miss the Egyptian exhibit because there were no elevators to that side of the museum. We went straight to the "Long March", the Raphael rooms, and then the Sistine Chapel. We then had to double back to the Hall of Maps to get out and walk all the way around to St. Peter's. They did let us into the Basilica where they had ramps without questions. I have to say the service we have received here has been outstanding! The Trevi fountain was next on our list after an afternoon stroll and we had dinner in the Trevi neighborhood. Lovely!
Today, Day 3, it was pouring rain. Rico and I went out for breakfast and had to purchase umbrellas only to find that the weather cleared 30 min later. No need to spend the 20e that we did, but oh well. We all decided to go see St. Peter in Chains since the Borghese Gallery was all booked up. St. Peter in Chains was very cool and modest compared to St. Peter's Basilica. I felt a little more at home at St. Peter's in Chains. It was a church for the people.
After St. Peter in Chains we walked down to the Via de Campo to shop (and boy did we shop!) and then on to the Spanish steps. I was only interested in seeing the Keats/Shelley museum at the Spanish steps. Very cool. I love John Keats and Percy Shelley so that was a highlight of my trip to the Spanish steps area. Very crowded otherwise. However, Mary Lou and I stumbled upon a seamstresse's shop where she made all of the clothing. Beautiful work. We bought several handmade pieces there.
(Painting of John Keats)
From there we walked all the way back to the hotel. Interestingly though, we saw a protest in front of one of the piazzas and decided to check it out. We ended up getting caught in the middle of a gay pride parade. That was really neat. Mary Lou and I support that cause so we were cheering and supporting with them.
Exhausted as we were, we decided to call a cab and go to Cafe di Marzio so that we could see a fellow (and I'm sure) distant relative of Rico's. It was pretty cool. The waiter did not like my mix of Spanish/Italian and told me to speak English, but that was comical. We always try to speak Italian, but in that neighborhood you need to know your stuff! It was a fun night! The Piazza Santa Maria was a hub for the locals at
night. We got right into it and loved it!
I have to honestly say, Rome is crazy and wonderful at the same time. It is a city of cultural intricacies (you don't see a lot of women hanging out with the men at the corner bar). There are certain things you can observe being a foreigner and it is interesting and strange at the same time. For example, this morning Rico and I went to the corner bar to have our breakfast. Breakfast is a pastry and a coffee usually served at the bar and consumed in about 3 minutes and usually by men. I order a cappuccino and a pastry and am the only female in the bar in about an hour. Interesting bonding time for Italian men.
Day 2 we went to the Vatican museum and St. Peter's Basilica. Navigating with Carlyn was a challenge as handicapped entrances and exits were not clearly marked, but no problemo. We had a taxi pick us up at the hotel and drop us off at St. Peter's. We asked the guards where to go for handicapped entrance and they directed us around the corner to the Vatican. We received amazing service with Carlyn. They let us right in at the ramp at the entrance (no lines) and let us up the elevator to the ticket lines. I had already purchased tickets and we went through with no problem. However, we had to see the Vatican museum backwards and we had to miss the Egyptian exhibit because there were no elevators to that side of the museum. We went straight to the "Long March", the Raphael rooms, and then the Sistine Chapel. We then had to double back to the Hall of Maps to get out and walk all the way around to St. Peter's. They did let us into the Basilica where they had ramps without questions. I have to say the service we have received here has been outstanding! The Trevi fountain was next on our list after an afternoon stroll and we had dinner in the Trevi neighborhood. Lovely!
Today, Day 3, it was pouring rain. Rico and I went out for breakfast and had to purchase umbrellas only to find that the weather cleared 30 min later. No need to spend the 20e that we did, but oh well. We all decided to go see St. Peter in Chains since the Borghese Gallery was all booked up. St. Peter in Chains was very cool and modest compared to St. Peter's Basilica. I felt a little more at home at St. Peter's in Chains. It was a church for the people.
After St. Peter in Chains we walked down to the Via de Campo to shop (and boy did we shop!) and then on to the Spanish steps. I was only interested in seeing the Keats/Shelley museum at the Spanish steps. Very cool. I love John Keats and Percy Shelley so that was a highlight of my trip to the Spanish steps area. Very crowded otherwise. However, Mary Lou and I stumbled upon a seamstresse's shop where she made all of the clothing. Beautiful work. We bought several handmade pieces there.
(Painting of John Keats)
From there we walked all the way back to the hotel. Interestingly though, we saw a protest in front of one of the piazzas and decided to check it out. We ended up getting caught in the middle of a gay pride parade. That was really neat. Mary Lou and I support that cause so we were cheering and supporting with them.
Exhausted as we were, we decided to call a cab and go to Cafe di Marzio so that we could see a fellow (and I'm sure) distant relative of Rico's. It was pretty cool. The waiter did not like my mix of Spanish/Italian and told me to speak English, but that was comical. We always try to speak Italian, but in that neighborhood you need to know your stuff! It was a fun night! The Piazza Santa Maria was a hub for the locals at 
night. We got right into it and loved it!
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