Rome - July 11, 2011:II Santa Maria in Trastervere

Tomorrow early morning we leave for Florence (Firenze). Today is our last real day in Rome. I will be sad to leave, as I feel like there’s so much more to see and do. I’m hoping this doesn’t go into my memory as if this were a dream, like my other trips seem. I should’ve been a Rick Steves as a career so that I can see the world. Oh well, another lifetime.

We bussed it to Trastevere which was across the river from where we are staying. We rode just the one bus, #3, no transfers this time. After being deposited in front of a building with protesters on the outside, we hoofed it to Piazza Santa Maria where the one of the first churches dedicated to Mary is located and called Santa Maria in Trastevere which was built in the 4^th century. It is one of the oldest churches in Rome with 12^th and 13^th century mosaics and Domenichino’s gilded ceiling. I lit two candles for friends. From Fodors: … just under the figure of the Virgin in the Nativity scene, with a stream of oil flowing from it. It recalls the legend that on the day Christ was born, a stream of pure oil flowed from the earth on the site of the piazza, signifying the coming of the grace of God. Off the north side of the piazza, there's a little street called Via delle Fonte dell'Olio in honor of this miracle.

At one point we came across one of the many outdoor water fountains. This is really the best water. We saw a young woman drinking from the fountain by holding the opening and making the water spout up, so the girls tried it. Unsuccessfully. Water squirted every which way, there was girl screaming and a bit of annoying moans emanating from them upon learning they soaked their sandals. Oh well, we tried.

Front of Santa Maria.

Inside Santa Maria.

Inside Santa Maria.

Gaby just about gets the water to shoot up correctly, until she drinks.

More water fountain fun.

We headed to Villa Farnese, but it closed at 13:00. So we walked through the area, stopped for some lunch and headed back. On the bus ride, we saw a part of Circus Maximus (once an elaborate and huge racetrack) and we saw a pyramid. Pyramid?!? What’s that doing in Rome, we wondered. So we looked it up: It is called the Pyramid of Cestius, built in 12 BC as a tomb. It was incorporated into the Aurelian walls.  

Inside Santa Maria.

 

On the way to Villa Farensina (Catalina in background. No matter how much walking we do, she never complains.)

Jesus before we enter our courtyard.

In our courtyard, by now Gaby is using the third key to get inside the apartment. There's lots of keys.

Back at the apartment, we skyped Stephen then took a nap. We had leftover arroz con pollo, fruit salad and cucumbers for dinner. 

Later, Sarah left for the nearby park and Gaby and I followed about 20 minutes later to draw and paint. We threw tiny white stones onto the ground and a pigeon raced after each and every one. I know, that was mean, but we had nothing else to offer. Gaby drew a rose, I painted a watercolor of the colosseum, and then we took pictures as the sun was setting - closeups of things along the way. 

I was captivated by the trees.