Italy: Day 3 (07-04-09)

We knew we’d have a full day today so we all went to bed fairly early so we’d be well rested to sight see. While we got ready in the morning, Dad and Joey went to a local bakery to bring back pastries for breakfast. What a delicious way to start our day! Then we hopped on the metro (the Roman subway) and headed to the Piazza de Spagna to see the famed Spanish Steps, built in 1926. After a few photos, we took a long stroll down to the Pantheon. It’s hard to believe that we were visiting a temple that built in 118AD. Originally built as a place of worship for all the Roman gods, the huge dome has an open hole at the top where light filters into the space. The body of the Raphael the artist is buried here and, since the Pope consecrated the temple as a catholic church in 609 AD, church services continue there today.

Our next stop was the Trevi Fountain, one of the largest and most famous fountains in all of Rome. But first, we had worked up an appetite, so we sat down to enjoy a delectable meal of Panini’s and pizza. It was our favorite meal so far, but the best part was the bruchetta, overflowing with fresh tomatoes and basil. The Trevi fountain was just around the corner so we snapped a few pictures and walked around the huge stone fountain completed in 1762 depicting Neptune flanked by two Titans, symbolizing the contrasting moods of the sea. Lastly, we jumped back on the metro and stopped by the neighborhood where we stayed on our last trip. We stopped at the train station to check the schedule for Tuesday’s trip to Florence and paused to take a look at the wares of the street vendors. Finally, we visited a large grocery store where we stocked up on snacks and got fresh ingredients to cook our own pasta dinner.

After a brief rest at the house, we cooked a delicious Italian meal in the apartment. We started off with appetizers of proscuttio-wrapped melon and sliced tomatoes with fresh basil and mozzarella. After a nice fresh salad, we had delicious light meal of garlic, tomatoes and basil over linguini. When our family meal was over, we walked down to the local bar – it seemed American to go out and get a drink to celebrate the Fourth of July….even if we are on the other side of the world.

The whole family standing on the Spanish Steps.
Adam sipping some cold water from the Barcaccia fountain (translated “useless old
boat”) at the base of Spanish Steps.
Light streaming into the Pantheon from the hole at the top of the dome
Adam and I in the Pantheon.
Anne Marie and Joey in front of the fountain.
The whole family in front of the Trevi Fountain. (Oh yeah, that is an American Flag shirt I am wearing...it was the 4th and I had to represent!)
Mom and Dad in front of the Trevi Fountain. It is good luck if you throw three coins into the fountain. It means that your wish will come true and you will one day come back to visit Rome.
Five and a half years ago, when we came to Italy, I bought an apron with a large lady holding watermelons. We saw a vendor on the street and Adam was able to get a matching one!
View of the coliseum at night.
Our favorite new butcher slicing us some proscutto.
Our homecooked Italian meal we made in the apartment.
Family late night outing.
All of the guys raising a glass to the forth of July!