ROMA!

This is the big day when we shun cruise orchestrated stuff and go into Rome BY OURSELVES on the train! We dock in Civitavecchia Chee vee ta vekia: the port for Rome) right on time at 7:00 am. We have plotted to be on the train into Rome about 8 and we make it at about 8:30. Good plan, the train is jammed full of people. Greg and Katy rode 45 minutes standing up in the area between cars whilst Aunt Becky got to seat in the jump seat. There were about 20 other people with us including Italians, Ghanans, English beer fish and families etc. We jumped off at the S. Pietro stop (St. Peter's) and headed over. The dimensions of the square and the basilica (designed again by our favorite - Michelangelo) are perfect and truly an architectural wonder of the world. We got in the relatively short line to enter the basilica with hundreds of others. After going through metal detectors and clothing guards we made it in. No men or women in shorts, tank tops or any other disrespectful attire and these guys are serious. Having previous knowledge of this, we were all appropriately clothed and Aunt Becky even had a hat. Greg did too, but he took it off when we got inside. Again, the dimensions, the size and the sheer beauty of the space is always awe inspiring. Greg's eyes glazed over and he started snapping pictures. Katy and I tried to keep one eye on him and look at everything else. The Pieta carved by Micheangelo is to the right as you enter and is so simple and so beautiful that everyone stops to gaze and comment. Directly ahead is the spot where Charlemagne was crowned in 800 a.d.(before the basilica was built but supposedly the spot) The main alter and the stained glass window of Bernini (a sunburst with the dove of peace in the middle) are ahead and Greg is clicking away as fast as he can. We take a quick look through the brass grating on the floor into the crypt below where lotsa popes are stashed, including Pope John Paul II and supposedly the original Fisherman-St. Peter. We stagger around after touching the brass foot of St. Peter (statue) and head for the door because we have a lot of ground to cover before catching the train at 3:30. Out the door, across the square and to the taxi rank for a taxi to the Pantheon. We take a quick look at that and then hike over to the Trevi fountain. Aunt Becky points out the hotels near the Pantheon where she stayed with Chrissy and Kelly. Chrissy will be glad to know the McDonalds is still there and so is the gelato place...nothing ever changes in Rome. The Trevi fountain is crowded but we make our way down and throw coins in to return. (but please...not in summer again). Then off to walk to the Colliseum but we stop for a quck bite to eat. Katy had prosciutto e melone (again) and Greg had a pannini of salami and cheese, Aunt Becky had a small typical pizza napolitano with anchovies!

Time is now getting short and we opt for a taxi to the Colliseum. It is hot and sweaty but the tourists and the "Roman Soldiers" -take-ah your peecture lady?-are all there. We bypass the main line and opt for the audio tour (no line 14 euros). As Aunt Becky has been here before and IT HASN'T CHANGED...Greg and Katy parked her with the bags and her swollen ankle and trudge around listening to the audio program. Greg, of course is taking a few pictures of EVERYTHING. Then back to the train...nice seats this time and back to the ship. We now have a day and a half at sea and your correspondent is going to do NOTHING!

Gibraltor is our next stop Wednesday at noon! Greg is behind in downloading his pictures and posting. Hopefully he will catch up.