Roman Sunday

We woke to a sparkling fresh sunny day today and decided to venture further afield and visit the Catacombs on the ancient Appian Way this afternoon. Two buses later (with a long wait in between) we were there at a peaceful green oasis of gardens and box hedges where we were taken on a guided tour by a local priest. Down, down down a flight of stairs we went, to the maze of underground passages and rooms where 1st and 2nd century Christians used to bury their dead and sometimes meet to pray, during the persecution by Nero. There are 4 levels and we were on the second. You've been warned, this experience is not for the claustrophobic, the passages are narrow and, even with electric lights, fairly dark. The shelves and niches carved in the walls where the Christians laid their dead were dark chasms, and although it was fascinating, I was glad to see the blue sky again.

We had spent the morning wandering the streets and lanes to the Pantheon, a former pagan temple built by the Romans, but now a church, and to the wonderful Piazza Navonna, abuzz with streetsellers, buskers, musicians and singers, and outdoor cafes where people sat sipping coffee and watching the crowd go by. Here you can buy just about any (fake) brand of handbag, belt or sunglasses from dark-skinned lean Ethiopian young men.

We wanted an Australian flag to take with us to Villers-Bretonneux in the Somme in France where we'll be for Armistice Day, and had been mooching around the souvenir stalls on the lookout for one. Well, we got lucky and now we're fully equipped to proudly display our Aussieness when we attend the ceremony on Armistice Day. Boak has his Order of Australia medal to wear, too. I think there'll be much chest-puffing!!

Boak was up early this morning and had a very special experience. He took a walk along the street to the Trevi Fountain - and there was no-one there!! Silly boy didn't have his camera with him. (Di's Rule 1: Never go anywhere without a camera when travelling overseas). So tomorrow we both aim to get there bright and early before breakfast to capture this glorious fountain in the morning sun, sans tourists.

The day has finished with another delicious meal in the restaurant next door where mine host ambushes us every time we visit and with great drama kisses my hand! It works for me! He even greeted me like an old friend earlier when I went in to make a reservation. Love this Roman charm.

Off to Tuscany in the morning, where we've rented a villa. I can hardly wait - just what the doctor ordered! Just have to negotiate our way out of the centre of Rome where our hotel is. Hmmmmmm.....