Still more of Rome:

On Wednesday we decided to give the Archeobus another try. This time we chose a great day - apparently the tourist crowds are in the Vatican City on Wednesday because that is one of the mornings that the Pope often makes an appearance. The Archeobus is a shuttle bus that picks you up in the city and stops at several points on the way out to the Appian Way. Our first stop was the Museo Delle Mura di Roma (Museum of the Wall of Rome). It is a small, but interesting museum. We were able to walk on part of the wall and see frescoes.

The next stop on the Archeobus was San Sebastian Church and Catacombs. Once again, timing is everything. We arrived 15 minutes before they would be closed for 2 hours. No problemo. We had a picnic lunch at the base of a statue across the street and then went for a little walk. Got back on the bus, rode it down the Appian Way (where the Romans had there tombs), and got off at a park where there are several aquaducts that carried water from the mountains to Rome. The kids dug around in the dirt, finding all kinds of treasures, and played. Those are ancient ruins behind the teeter totter!

After enjoying the Aquaduct park, we rode the bus back to a stop near San Sebastian Catacombs and went on the tour of the Catacombs. It was very interesting, a little creepy, and Ellen fell and cut her knee. (Again, not allowed to take photos in the catacombs.) Next we rode the bus back into the city to see the Bocca della Verita. If you've seen Roman Holiday, this is the sculpture where you put your hand in its mouth, and if you are a liar it bites your hand off. I'm not sure what happens when you put your hands up his nose, as Will is doing here. The church is a Greek Orthodox church and quite interesting as well.

While waiting for the bus to go back to our hotel, and a mediocre dinner at the Italian restaurant across the street, Will and Ellen occupied themselves with their books. They got a lot of odd looks from people who seemed surprised that American children can read!

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