Day 3 in Rome

Day 3 in Rome

Finally got to sleep in today - nothing pressing. We had bought breakfast items last night on our way home so we ate breakfast in our apartment. We can not figure out the coffee maker in the apartment so each morning after breakfast we go around the corner to the little café and have our cappuccinos. The waiters and waitresses now recognize us. It is quite nice!!
Today was ancient Rome! We visited the Roman Forum, Palentine Hill and the Coliseum. Beautiful views of the city from Palantine Hill. It is amazing to see the ancient ruins right in the middle of the city. You can just imagine what life was like in ancient Rome when you are walking through the Forum.
Dan is amazed by all of the scooters and motorcycles in the city. And the amount of polizia here is astounding. There must be 5 on every street corner. We have not seen any theft at all. I am sure they pumped up the police support because of the big soccer match last night. In fact, they closed all bars and did not sell any liquor at all last night. We could not even get wine with dinner!!
We came home after the Coliseum today and had our siesta, then headed out for our last walk through Rome. We went to the Spanish steps and sat with about 500 other people - mostly young students. It was a beautiful evening!! The we walked over to Piazza de Popolo which is the plaza of the People and along the Villa Borghese. We had our last dinner in Rome at a cute little Tratatoria near the Pantheon. We ate outside, of course, along the street under the stars!! It is truly amazing to see the throngs of people out in the city at midnight - even on week nights. All ages, from 15 to 75. Walking, talking, sitting in cafes or sitting in the piazzas around their monuments. They are truly proud of their city! After only 3 days in Rome we feel like we are already immersed in their culture and have adapted to their customs. We have our cappuccinos in the morning, then a little breakfast, then a very long stroll and sit in the piazzas, then lunch around 2 and a little siesta, then another stroll and then dinner at 10 with an even longer stroll. Truly the “Dulce vita“!!!
Off to Varenna in the morning via Milano!