Our group of 21 adults and one toddler met at the airport and was quickly rounded up by Mr C, the Tour Manager. The next few hours were tiring but exciting because our destination was a few hours closer. We landed in Rome at about 6 in the morning and what do you know? A luggage went missing from the baggage carousel. The next hour was spent in luggage claim and by the time it was done, we were looking at a bright and sunny 7 am Roman morning. The tour commenced immediately,.
| THE SPANISH SQUARE The Column of the Immaculate Conception (below) was discovered under a monastery in 1777 and relocated to this square 80 years later. At the top of the column stood a statue of the Virgin Mary.
|  The fountain below (flooded boat at the center of a basin) was inspired by the flooding of the Tiber in 1598 when a small boat was stranded at this spot after the water subsided. The fountain is located below the Spanish Steps.
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| Spanish Steps |
The French Gothic church above with the twin bell tower is the Trinita dei Monti. It was said that the French wanted to erect a statue of King Louis XIV at the top of the stairs. Papal opposition caused this plan to be shelved until 1723 when the staircase was built without the statue. (137 steps with 12 different flights)
I found a THE BRIDGE outlet near the Column of the Immaculate Conception and the leather purse at the window display was the one I had planned to buy but dang it, shops were closed on Sunday so there wasn't going to be any shopping at this place on this day. The coffee and gelato place next door was opened for business so we piled in for some coffee and gelato, but mostly, to umm.. use their washroom?
Here's something interesting Mr C told us. Gelati is the plural of gelato (Italian ice cream) just as cappuccini is the plural of cappuccino.
The best part of Mr C? His constant nagging about pick-pockets and "check your passports!" and "swing your backpacks to the front!" was a sad reminder of the wretched world we live in. At the Trevi Fountain (picture below), Mr C "pulled us away to safety" when he spotted a stranger getting close to our group. "Beware of strangers, and pick-pockets, and gypsies," said he with a vengeance.
I found a THE BRIDGE outlet near the Column of the Immaculate Conception and the leather purse at the window display was the one I had planned to buy but dang it, shops were closed on Sunday so there wasn't going to be any shopping at this place on this day. The coffee and gelato place next door was opened for business so we piled in for some coffee and gelato, but mostly, to umm.. use their washroom?
Here's something interesting Mr C told us. Gelati is the plural of gelato (Italian ice cream) just as cappuccini is the plural of cappuccino.
The best part of Mr C? His constant nagging about pick-pockets and "check your passports!" and "swing your backpacks to the front!" was a sad reminder of the wretched world we live in. At the Trevi Fountain (picture below), Mr C "pulled us away to safety" when he spotted a stranger getting close to our group. "Beware of strangers, and pick-pockets, and gypsies," said he with a vengeance.
TREVI FOUNTAIN
The oldest water source in Rome, built at the end point of the *Aqua Virgo Aqueduct in 19 BC, at the junction of 3 roads, therefore Three-Street Fountain or Trevi Fountain.
*Aqua Virgo Aqueduct - so called in honor of a young Roman girl who led thirsty soldiers to the source of the spring to drink.
The construction of this fountain was financed from money earned by the reintroduction of lotto in Rome. It is mostly built from travertine stone, i.e. stone from the Tiber (river). This is the same material used to construct the Colosseum. Today, the water at the fountain is no longer drinkable because it contained recycled water.
The throwing of coins off the shoulder into the fountain was an ancient tradition. It was said that the first coin thrown in will make the gods of water favour the journey/help them return home safely. (back in the days when sea travel was the option), the second coin for those seeking love while the third coin to bring forth wedding bells. People will believe anything they hear, if you ask me.
As it is illegal to fish out coins from the fountain, the sum collected daily must be substantial judging by the huge crowd gathering at this spot. These coins, collected nightly, are given to an Italian charity (CARITAS) for a supermarket program giving rechargeable cards to Rome's needy. (grocery)
It was almost surreal to think of the mighty Roman Empire (as they once were) now crowded with pickpockets and gypsies, and speaking of gypsies, I was surprised to see some Bangladeshis/Pakistanis (can't tell the difference) manning the souvenir kiosks in front of the fountain.
The throwing of coins off the shoulder into the fountain was an ancient tradition. It was said that the first coin thrown in will make the gods of water favour the journey/help them return home safely. (back in the days when sea travel was the option), the second coin for those seeking love while the third coin to bring forth wedding bells. People will believe anything they hear, if you ask me.
As it is illegal to fish out coins from the fountain, the sum collected daily must be substantial judging by the huge crowd gathering at this spot. These coins, collected nightly, are given to an Italian charity (CARITAS) for a supermarket program giving rechargeable cards to Rome's needy. (grocery)
It was almost surreal to think of the mighty Roman Empire (as they once were) now crowded with pickpockets and gypsies, and speaking of gypsies, I was surprised to see some Bangladeshis/Pakistanis (can't tell the difference) manning the souvenir kiosks in front of the fountain.
PANTHEON
Former Roman temple, now church. No admission.
|  I was again surprised to discover that many of these street performers were Bangladeshis/Pakistanis. The man above looked like he's levitating above the ground. He's not. I felt sorry for the man for it was going to get intensely hot soon. |
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| Square outside Pantheon, with Fontana del Pantheon, and obelisk originally from Heliopolis |
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| Built on the site of the Stadium of Domitian, 1st century AD followed the form of the open space of the stadium |
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| Brazilian embassy |
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| Built by Giacomo Della Porta unique rose coloured marble base |
We were famished by this time so LUNCH was the only option.
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