May 13-18, 2009
Yuanting and Kenny were flying off that afternoon to California, while Gladys and I were staying two more nights before heading to Florence the next day. We switched hostels for the remaining nights and it was a pretty good one this time. Met some Singaporeans who were just checking out.
Soon after, we were at Roma Termini where I spotted Alicia first, then Alvina. What a small world! And such a coincidence bumping into them at the same place at the same time. They were traveling in a group of four girls, all of them schoolmates of mine from communications. And they were going to meet up with Dylan and gang in Germany.
Bumped into SCI schoolmates at Roma Termini!
Fontana di Trevi
We took the metro towards the Trevi Fountain. It was a pretty warm day and while walking there, we stopped for some souvenir shopping along the way. First shop we stopped at was a limoncello store (limoncello is an Italian lemon liqueur) and also tried the coffee liqueur there. There were tacky souvenirs too, of the David statue, Roman sculptures, etc.
Limoncello from all over Italy
Fontana di Trevi
Eventually we got to the Trevi Fountain. It was way too crowded. Everyone was jostling each other. People were trying to get to the edge of the fountain so they could toss a coin or splash themselves. The story goes that if you throw a coin into the fountain, you’ll be back in Rome one day. The things people believe. Anyway it is estimated that the fountain collects 3,000 euros (in coins) per day.
It was really warm out there though so we sought shelter for a bit inside a nearby cathedral. We decided to walk towards Piazza Navona and catch some of the street sights along the way, passing the Pantheon though we didn’t go in.
The Pantheon
Piazza Navona
So we had read somewhere that this particular plaza (square, or piazza in Italian) was a must-see because it was atmospheric and charming. It was quite big and filled with Italian cafes along the inside perimeter. In the center of the square there is an obelisk and a fountain, flanked by artists and caricature artists.
Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona
Viagra ice-cream, anyone?
That evening, we met Gladys’ friend and his family for dinner. Before that though, he kindly brought us up one of Rome’s hills for an aerial view of the city. Dinner was pizza at an Italian restaurant in the suburbs, followed by ice-cream, which was a nice end to the day.
Pretty cloudy when we went up in the evening
From up there you can kind of make out the newer parts from the older parts of Rome
Piazza Navona, again
The next day, Gladys and I went back to Piazza Navona for a lazy day. We spent it sitting at a street-side cafe, taking in the sounds while reading. I speak for myself when I said the past week and a half in London, Paris and Rome had been tiring because we were rushing from sight to sight. Each day was packed with things to do so we took that day and a few others in Florence to relax and recharge.
Gladys at Piazza Navona
I like this structure but I forgot its name. Fiori something I think.
Colosseo by night
We strolled to the Colosseo district where we had been a few days earlier for me to take some evening shots. Dusk didn’t arrive till after dinner, which we, or rather I, had at a pizzeria. Gladys decided to return to the hostel, while I stayed out for the photos.
Up next: Florence
