No there's no train worker strike or anything like that that's going to keep us in Rome. However, an issue has arisen that you may or may not want to hear. Today we headed off to Trevi Fountain where the students were told about tossing a coin over their shoulder to come back to Rome. So this may be good news or may be bad news for you parents but ALL of your kids are coming back to Rome. 1 coin if you want to come back, 2 to get married, 3 heading for divorce or, in Guyer's case of 4+ I'm not really sure. Maybe I should just walk behind Guyer and pick up his extra change! An estimated 1000-3000 Euros PER DAY are thrown into the Trevi. But the extra money is used help feed the homeless.
We don't use the metro as much in Rome because 1) the metro is very limited (Every time digging begins on a new line 2 or 3 ancient civilizations are discovered) 2) Walking certain routes can be beautiful 3) Walking is cheaper ;-)
The Pantheon is one of the most ancient buildings in Rome and it looks it, too. It just exudes antiquity. An Oculus in the roof of the building is the only source of light. Water also enters when rains pass over. However, today there was no rain...only lots and lots of sunlight.
After a quick jaunt over to Piazza Navona and then to Camp dei Fiori for lunch it was time for our trek back to the Vatican. Lunch was just quick pizza and gelato and lots of water. Nothing too eventful except one thing. There are lots of outdoor shops with trinkets and purses and handbags and sunglasses and...WAIT...Sunglasses you say?
Yep - SUNGLASSES! as Mrs. Mynatt says "Guyer, you had better KISS MY HAND for making you go over there and look for sunglasses..."
The walk to the Vatican is one of the most beautiful walks as the St Peter's Basilica and Dome open up before you as your turn the corner. We stopped at the bridge over the Tiber River as Mrs Mynatt pointed out all of cities so far have rivers snaking through the center and why exactly is that, she quizzed the students. Before anyone could say a word Jonathan recited a textbook definition for the answer...makes me think Geography Class might be just as regimented as Geography Trips!
Today being Wednesday, the Pope had just finished his address in the square. On these days there are even more visitors than usual. Before entering St Peters we had our Scavi Tour where only 150 persons per day are allowed underground into the excavation sights beneath St Peters Basilica. Of the 5000 people per day that visit St Peters your 12 students were part of the select few granted access to these spectacular excavations. St Peters is actually built on TOP of a 1st century cemetery. When Constantine came to power these cemeteries were covered with dirt and the new Basilica began being built on top. The Scavi Tour lets us see those 1st century civilizations almost perfectly preserved. Even the ground of the excavations is the actual footpath that existed at the time. Lots of information presented to us but no pictures allowed.
From there we went upstairs into the actual St Peters Basilica where I've never seen SO many visitors. It's a very grandiose and intimidating space. We saw the splendor of the Vatican and the beautiful dome which we would climb soon after.
With the conclusion of the adventure to the dome the official Rome tour was completed. After we descended and gathered in the square those students who wanted to shop and dinner afterwards went with Ms. Ketchen and Ms. Armstrong while those who wanted some downtime at the hotel and dinner went with the Mynatts. We had a slow and relaxing end to Rome. It was interesting to hear the students' perceptions of all they had seen so far. Tomorrow we'll be off to Venice on a fast train with no changes (the best kind). We'll jump on our 2 reserved water taxis and head straight to our Pensione Gueratto near the Rialto Bridge. I'll leave you with a few photographs of our closing evening culminating in a group walk to some of the best gelato in Rome only 2 blocks from our hotel. Goodnight.
We don't use the metro as much in Rome because 1) the metro is very limited (Every time digging begins on a new line 2 or 3 ancient civilizations are discovered) 2) Walking certain routes can be beautiful 3) Walking is cheaper ;-)
The Pantheon is one of the most ancient buildings in Rome and it looks it, too. It just exudes antiquity. An Oculus in the roof of the building is the only source of light. Water also enters when rains pass over. However, today there was no rain...only lots and lots of sunlight.
After a quick jaunt over to Piazza Navona and then to Camp dei Fiori for lunch it was time for our trek back to the Vatican. Lunch was just quick pizza and gelato and lots of water. Nothing too eventful except one thing. There are lots of outdoor shops with trinkets and purses and handbags and sunglasses and...WAIT...Sunglasses you say?
The walk to the Vatican is one of the most beautiful walks as the St Peter's Basilica and Dome open up before you as your turn the corner. We stopped at the bridge over the Tiber River as Mrs Mynatt pointed out all of cities so far have rivers snaking through the center and why exactly is that, she quizzed the students. Before anyone could say a word Jonathan recited a textbook definition for the answer...makes me think Geography Class might be just as regimented as Geography Trips!
Today being Wednesday, the Pope had just finished his address in the square. On these days there are even more visitors than usual. Before entering St Peters we had our Scavi Tour where only 150 persons per day are allowed underground into the excavation sights beneath St Peters Basilica. Of the 5000 people per day that visit St Peters your 12 students were part of the select few granted access to these spectacular excavations. St Peters is actually built on TOP of a 1st century cemetery. When Constantine came to power these cemeteries were covered with dirt and the new Basilica began being built on top. The Scavi Tour lets us see those 1st century civilizations almost perfectly preserved. Even the ground of the excavations is the actual footpath that existed at the time. Lots of information presented to us but no pictures allowed.
From there we went upstairs into the actual St Peters Basilica where I've never seen SO many visitors. It's a very grandiose and intimidating space. We saw the splendor of the Vatican and the beautiful dome which we would climb soon after.
With the conclusion of the adventure to the dome the official Rome tour was completed. After we descended and gathered in the square those students who wanted to shop and dinner afterwards went with Ms. Ketchen and Ms. Armstrong while those who wanted some downtime at the hotel and dinner went with the Mynatts. We had a slow and relaxing end to Rome. It was interesting to hear the students' perceptions of all they had seen so far. Tomorrow we'll be off to Venice on a fast train with no changes (the best kind). We'll jump on our 2 reserved water taxis and head straight to our Pensione Gueratto near the Rialto Bridge. I'll leave you with a few photographs of our closing evening culminating in a group walk to some of the best gelato in Rome only 2 blocks from our hotel. Goodnight.
bet I could guess whose pizza that was! look's like Angie's favorite :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a trip! It has been a learning experience for our whole family through the Blog. We can taste the Gelato by the pictures. Thanks for doing such a great job updating us after you have had long, long (hot) days touring the cities. We greatly appreciate you for the time you have given our kids in Europe!
ReplyDeleteZavracky Family