Travelling is not for sissies! That's what we've had to remind ourselves as we've had to dig deep today with lots of walking and the usual 30 deg in the shade heat. As I write, Carol an I are outside The Empire Pizza place (one can't call it a ristorante or even a trattoria) sitting at two bar stools and a little bar table. Gus and Caitlin are sitting inside watching some fencing on the Olympics TV channel.
The day began with a visit to an Internet cafe and then bus 258 to the massive Pilazza Venizia and it's monument Vittorio Emanuele II. That's where I sent the photos from that you hopefully got. Free wifi in many of the Piazzas. We walked down to the Bocca Della Verita passing enormous ancient buildings and ruins. We didnt put our hands inside the mouth of the Bocca (as the story goes, if they ask you a question while your hand is in the mouth of the BOcca, it bites it off). We didnt give ita try. (R5). This is where The camera decided to pack pack, really, really sad and mostly to Gus as this was ‘his' job, to take the photos. He took the job very seriously and did a great job. To get over the disappointment he walked down the middle of Circus Maximus. Our bus from here took us to the start of the Apian Way, The Queen Of Roads as its known. Its amazing how this road still is in such good condition 2000 yrs on. By now we were in the pleasant country side walking through Olive groves, past a shepherd and his flock (sheep) till the Catacombs. 40 miles of underground burial passages for Popes to plebs. 500 000 Christians were buried in a 15 hectare site, 4 stories deep, quite amazing. Many, before Constantine legalized Christianity in 300 AD, died as martyres. The story of St Cecilia was particularly moving, dying for her faith at 12, Caitlin's age! We had in fact visited the Church of St Cecilia in the Trastevere district on the first evening. Look up the story of Santa Cecilia, it is a very interesting and moving one.
We joined some Korean nuns on the Apian way to the catacombs, and while we were down among the graves, their party broke into beautiful song.
The 2000 year old frescos that are as they found them, still so clear, simple descriptive and simply beautiful. Late afternoon we returned to the city by bus and tube, this time the Termini Area to visit the church of Santa Maria in Maggiore, wonderful frescoes but m ore wonderful, while folk walked round quietly, a service was in full swing in the side chapel, confessionals were busy, and the church was a church, well used and not just an amazing building. Moving across the road to Santa Pressede, where the same was occurring, mass was being said and the church was busy for all the right reasons.
By now we were absolutely finished!
The pizzas did just the trick and we caught our bus back to our delightful neighborhood, stopping off of course for the treat, gelato.
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Hi guys, I hope you get this comment, you guys must be exhausted but by the looks of things having a great time. We are missing you stax, weather seems to have settled here, its about 12 degrees. you all look very hot but happy in your pics. Luv Jen Johnny and the boys
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