| Erin's Rome Journals 4-23-02 After packing up and leaving the stinky M&J Hostel, the four of us toted our packs over to the Hostel Alessandro and checked in. There was some dissatisfaction here too, though, because we discovered that Andres & Sylvia had been asked to sign some unknown additional affidavit due to their origins of Columbia. When they went back in to ask what the form they'd signed was about, they were told that all people from known terrorist countries had to sign it, and that it was no big deal. They asked what the form said, as they hadn't taken time to read it (NEVER sign something you haven't read!!!), and the hostel staff got huffy and said that it was a standard form that everyone had to sign, no big deal...and when confronted with the fact that Glenn and I had not been asked to sign it, the staff was practically yelling at them that they didn't need to worry about it, it was NO BIG DEAL! So understandably upset, we walked off to explore more of Rome and remarked upon how tired we were getting of hostels! We had targeted several major sights to see today, the first of which was a city park, Villa Borghese, with several museums at the center. We took the Metro under the city to get there - extremely crowded, we had a hard time staying together. Once off the subway, though, the park was a nice way to spread out and enjoy the hot sun. We had lunch by the Giardino del Lago, which is enhanced by some gorgeous roses and centers around a small lake with a temple at its back. After eating, we walked out to the Piazza di Spagna and the Spanish Steps. This was a gorgeous sight, as the steps were covered with pink and white flowers that day, and many people gathered there to enjoy the sun & fountain. This was also a more upscale area of town, with lots of high end shops. We walked from there, down near the Tiber river to the Piazza Navona, where we admired the immense Fontana dei Fiumi by Bernini, the Chiesa Sant' Agnese in Agone, and the many artisans & restaurants spread across the long rectangular piazza. From there, we headed to nearby Campo dei Fiori, as friends who'd visited last year recommended its restaurants & atmsophere. We found some excellent snacks in a pizza place there, which Andres and I made sure to go back for on a future day. We enjoyed the late afternoon sunshine in the square near the flower market, then moved on to find the Pantheon. We came around a corner from a crowded tight street and found ourselves in the open area in front of the immense Pantheon. It is truly the best-preserved of all the ancient buildings of Rome, for although it was rebuilt 3 times after construction, the last reconstruction was completed by Hadrian in 128 AD, and the place still looks complete! It towers above yo as you stand in front of it, yet you'd never know it was there from 1 block over, it has been so absorbed in the buildings of the modern city. After this marvel, we detoured to the Chiesa di Santa Maria sopra Minerva, where we went in search of Michelangelo's beautiful sculpture of Christ. This is also the piazza which houses Bernini's elephant and obelisk, which we delighted in photographing. After these many journeys, we were all tired and decided to head back to the hostel. We stayed close to home and prepared for our trip to the Vatican on Wednesday morning. |
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| An amazing set of bronze friezes decorates a church near Piazza di Spagna. This one shows Christ being nailed to the cross |
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| Bernini's Elephant with obelisk, with the dome of the Pantheon behind |