Today we started out at Trajan’s markets / forum. Whole new area which wasn’t open for access last time we were here. One of your early multi-storied shopping centres really. Sort of Trajan does North City. Rows of little shops. Can see the grooves at the front for their folding doors – although I thought it might be more logical for them to have blinds. Massive construction. Some original, some restored, some incorporated into buildings of later eras. And of course the ubiquitous gatti di roma around the place. Quite a bit excavated in the 1920s and 30s when Benito was trying to recreate the imperial glories. Except when he flattened some stuff to make way for grand roads.
After that I headed over to the Palatine while Ju headed elsewhere - all the side streets of the Corso between the hotel and the Spanish steps I believe. The excavations on the Palatine are vast and in places the building remains are 4 or 5 stories high. Also really hot!! From there wandered down into the forum for a roam around. Stopped off with assorted walking tours to listen to their commentaries (the English ones of course) at points that I was interested in! Again assorted school groups – it’s certainly the time for schools from down-under. Also the German schools seem to have sent a
whole lot off to Italy as soon as the school year has begun.After the forum headed back to the hotel via the Mamertine Prison – but it was closed. I think for lunch. It was nearly 2 p.m. by then. Which of course was important for me as well. We discovered a place next to our hotel which advertised a 10 Euro lunch – a bruschetta (ahh the garlic), a margherita pizza, chocolate brownie and espresso. Great. Might try their 15 euro dinner!
After a break and a blog we caught a cab up to the Villa Borghese. Was quite keen to pop in on Pauline. But alas limited tickets per day and all sold till Saturday. So a good 2.5 hour wander through the gardens to Piazza del Popolo along to the Spanish Steps and home via Trevi Fountain etc. Saw a bride arriving at a venue in the gardens. We think it was a bride –maybe arriving for a civil ceremony as wasn’t in full bridal regalia, but certainly in white, a small bouquet and big hair. Ahh, the old amore strikes again.
hoping all your blog updates are seemly as i've taken the chance to print some and send them off to Marie - i figured, seeing as i was snail-mailing the email and a few new yorkers that i might as well - just couldn't quite be bothered reading them to check first :-) it's on you, bro!
ReplyDeletegetting geared up for conference. President's speech is done, just working on the pictures - oh the awesome responsibility! anyway, everyone, including me, is pleased i've moved on from the licorice allsort motif idea...
best move on to my actual work now - have fun x
Hi Bud
ReplyDeleteGood to see you are having a great time and back out sight seeing after catching up with Julia! Also godd that she made it afet a shaky start from NZ with technology and weather. Liked your story about the proposal, I have been writing a novel, loosely based on fact called "The Proposal" probably won't get me a cut price dinner though.
Oh well, back to the writing-bought new MTB shoes now just have to find my bike!