Roaming in Rome

Today I struck out on my own to see some things I wanted to see in the Eternal City. There is really something to be said about exploring alone. I know it was only one day, but there is something to be said for feeling capable and confident enough to navigate a strange city by yourself.

I did some research last night and wanted to go to go to the National Museum of Liberation, a memorial museum for the Roman victims of Nazi occupation during WWII. I hopped on the metro and made it there early, so I walked around for about an hour exploring Piazza San Giovanni, a beautiful Basillica on the outskirts of town. It started raining, so I headed over to the museum again, where an old man, speaking only Italian of course, gave me a pamphlet and put me on an elevator to the 3rd floor. For some reason, I gathered that he didn't want me going to the 2nd floor, and was very persistent that I didn't. Since I was alone, and was sure I was the only visitor in the museum, I got an uneasy feeling and didn't spend too much time there. There were some displays in English, but most were in Italian and I had a strange feeling the whole time I was inside so I didn't try too terribly hard to figure it out. I don't know if it was because of all the terrible things that happened within the walls or what, but I got queasy and left!

Once outside in the fresh air, I caught the metro back to the Repubblica Station and walked a good mile or so down tiny cobbled streets on the way to an area called Campo Del Fiori. I read in guidebooks that this was a famous flower market and vegetable market. I was almost there and reading my map when an old man yelled out to me and motioned me over from his cafe. Obviously the owner, he yelled to a waiter to watch his cafe, and motioned to me to point to where I was headed. Once I did, he grabbed my hand and led me through passages until there I was. He was such a sweet old man, and couldn't have been younger than about 80 years old. As I said goodbye, he grabbed my face and said over and over "Ciao Bella Ciao Bella" with a huge smile. It made my day that a local came up to me and helped me along my way.

After this, I got some gelato and ambled over to Piazza Navona, a beautiful piazza famous for art dealers and vendors. I piddled around here for a while before moving on.

The picture above is one I took with the black and white setting on my camera. It is of me crossing the Ponte de Sant Angelo Bridge. I turned right and followed this river for another mile or so, then crossed and walked around Piazza del Popolo, which is a church and and many statues.

I hopped onto the metro and headed home, tired from walking and soaking wet from the rain.

It was a great day with no schedule, pace, or goal in mind. I saw what I wanted to see and thoroughly enjoyed myself...I have a feeling tomorrow will be much of the same. I still want to see the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain at night.

I know we are all excited to head to Germany and spend some time with Evelyn and her family!

More tomorrow :)

Kate

I know I already told you but HAPPY FATHERS DAY DAD! LOVE YOU