Sandal style

I found it interesting to see various sandal styles worn by the men and women of ancient times. I guess this has all translated over to the more modern style we know as the 'Roman sandal'.

Fabric

Found a few fabric shops here. They are packed to the ceiling with bolts and the aisles between the shelves and cutting counters are narrow.

 Remnants are also available and my Italian is coming back as assistance in English was not an option. Only one of these pieces made it into my suitcase and it wasn't the orange linen.

Capitolini Musei

The piazza between the museum buildings is dominated by the copy of the Marcus Aurelius statue. The original is inside.

Plus a chariot.

And some impressive men.

The buildings are hard to navigate even with the map provided but we eventually found the café and the underground passage linking 2 of the buildings where exhibits were housed.
 

Pinocchio

A bit of fun with Pinocchio in a wonderful wood shop.

 

Dinner

An interesting, popular restaurant in a delicatessen that sells a wonderful range of Italian meats, cheeses etc. Customers were still coming in as we had dinner. Luckily for us we were at the back of the shop in the larger dining area.

A cold Caponata of eggplant for me and tuna, olives and pickled onions for Bob.

Followed by Roman Meatballs and polenta with lamb in the background.

Rubbing Roma

Have only done a few rubbings- must be too relaxed and on holiday! Here the garbage bin outside the Gallerie Borghese gets the treatment. No photos are allowed during the timed, 2 hour only, visit to this amazing collection. Bernini, we love you!

 This is one from earlier in the week. I have been adding small bits to 2 pieces of fabric I lightly coloured like marble before I left. The ivy was growing over Forum ruins.

Patchwork shop

Found a patchwork shop in Rome, near the train station area and walked there seeing  interesting vignettes on the way.

We should have remembered that many shops close for siesta time in the middle of the day!

The window looked inviting!

If only we could have gotten in! Make up your own speech bubble for this last photo!

Just funny

Perhaps not a jewellery line blessed by the Pope?

 

Small

This seems to be the shape of things to come for the narrow cobbled streets of Rome- a one person car, almost a glorified ride on lawn mower and not much bigger than a scooter but with weather protection.

Certainly the smallest 'car' we have seen here.

Vatican Museums

This one got away from a rubbing too, but we did post a couple of postcards in Vatican City. No photographs are allowed inside the Sistine Chapel, but the souvenir postcards and other merchandise celebrate the wonder of it.

The impressive museum exit.

 Beauty, wonder  and a sore neck in the Raphael rooms.

 

Inside St Peter's

I would dearly have loved to have taken a rubbing of this grate on the floor in St Peter's but Bob strongly advised me not to, as he felt sure the Swiss Guards would be there in a flash to haul me off.

We later saw the changing of the guard as we were leaving.

Their uniforms are interesting and I spent some time studying them. The strips of yellow and blue fabric are loose and cover a red undergarment.

The jostling of the crowds while we queued to get inside was the worst we have experienced and inside it was also a traffic jam. But I think it is the most beautiful church I have ever seen.

 

 

Vatican City

We walked across the Tiber River to Vatican City; it's not hard to find- just follow the crowds! The Pope was holding the usual Wednesday Mass, when we got to the front of St Peter's and we could see him, from afar. Large TV screens broadcast to the assembled congregation.

Always interesting to see a place in person and the grand scale of the square was impressive.

And after the party is over, someone has to clean up.

 

 

La Dolce Vita

We like the neighbourhood we are staying in, just around the corner from the Campo di Fiori, a busy market square each day and full of busking activity at night.

This is looking into the square, early morning.

Part of the bottom of our building the Biscione and below, the large double door into the building, which is closed at night.

Many little restaurants are in the area and we have found a friendly wine bar.