roma a piedi - rome by foot - we are now in tour guide mode
our shanghai guests new to italy and relying on our guidance
living like locals possibly gone one step too far with hosting
but we will endure and enjoy - there is plenty worth a re-visit
e.g. calcata - our favourite little town 40 minutes north-west
we take a quick return trip there to see again it's unique wonder
small and old it may be but that is also the nature of it's appeal
and we are not alone - plenty of artists live there permanently
easy to imagine the camaraderie in this little cliff-top town
a brief stop back at home-base to prepare for the next trip
rome - we pretty well intentionally do evening visits now
the temperatures are lower, the crowds thinner, the vibe better
as usual we park riverside and walk across a bridge over the tiber
today's first stop is piazza navano which offers a great snapshot
there are tourists, buskers, artists, locals, fountains, cafes and more
we had previously not entered the church of sant'agnese in agone
but today the doors are open and we accept the invitation to enter
unsurprisingly impressive - small but with a huge domed ceiling
the large carved marble panels around the walls also quite striking
necks are craned looking high up at the beautiful painted ceiling
and from a spot on the floor marking the centre of the dome above
cool inside too - easy to just wander and gaze which we happily do
our eventual exit setting the tone for the evening - slow and gentle
heading off then to the pantheon also often visited - never entered
the scale is mind-boggling - a circular structure under an open roof
the floor is incredible - sloping away and patterns of coloured marble
there's hundreds possibly even thousands of people inside with us
considering over 6 million people visit every year that is no surprise
but it does not matter - it is very easy to wander aimlessly around
we then head off in the direction of trevi fountain but first a stop
we enjoy a long cool beer at a equally cool cafe along the way
then join the usual thronging crowds at the famous landmark
it's hard not to admire the workmanship on this huge fountain
we are definitely local-leaning as it is hard to take the tourists
too many american voices for one - but it is done - moving on
we amble up a walkway hosting shops, artists and street vendors
low gear is working well with no need to be anywhere at anytime
but fuel is needed - antipasto and pizza at the first place we pass
and then on to the central roman forum where our party splits
the ladies left to investigate while the driver heads cross-city
feeling very comfortable with distance and direction to the river
into the jammed in car, ease out, and a nighttime cross city drive
easy as - pick up the passengers and set controls to home base
an entirely different route is supplied this time - oh well nevermind
it's close to midnight by the time we return - straight to bed - zzzzzz
