Thursday 16th September

 16/09/04    Day 75

In the day started with the london thunderstorm (never heard and very heavy rain. I could see the day turning out badly. We had to pack up all our stuff, put our mascara buy stuff - in the rain to the reception where we were told we'd be in the room next to the one we'd just left. So, very unnecessary to cart our stuff about in the rain. When we got to our new room, the owner chucked 2 people out (before check-out time) so we could have their beds - We felt rather embarrassed as we had just planned to leave our bags downtime. All the end of the day It turned out they had double booked and 2 people were left on the street in the rain - by the time we got back outside the clouds had cleared blue sky emerged. We spent a good hour in the internet place and then headed to the metro (almost getting on the wrong train) and to the colloseum began, where we walked to Piazza d'camp? degano also designed by Michalangelo and formerly the seat of the ancient Roman government. The facades were very Italian in art - and we had to break into one of the museums - they'll in the hall find out at the door. Incidently the big monument was built on the site where Michelangelo had built his myth. I'm sure we turned in his grave when they constructed that huge ungracious thing. We got from the top of Capitoline hill - the best view over Rome before walking in the river, across the ancient bridge and onto Isola Tiberina (v.interesting - oldest bridge and onto Isola Tiberina see other Rome book for history) which was really pictyAnd then we discovered the Trastevere area which was exactly what we had been missing and Searching for - true Italia, quiet cobbled streets, nice tall houses with Shutters and nice Smelling bakeries. This is apparently Rome's mediaeval district, which put me off but I so decided I like mediaeval -ness in Rome. The square Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere had a lovely fountain, the first church in Rome dedicated to Meary (too history) and more picturesque houses and cute Trattorias. I was loathed to leave this area (and it would have been nice to wander the streets more) but we headed over the river again and towards Piazza Navona (used to be city stadium for athletic games).

And it was here that I discovered the most diverse range of Coffee colours, as I like to call them. The names were all shades of creamy, ochre, brown, cappuccino, latte etc etc and the occasional burnt red and terracota. The Piccales were something pleasing but I liked that it was wide. Coops - forgot to mention we went passed Campo de fiori - market square). Piazzan Navona had 3 grandiamt fountains, a very ornate palace (now an embassy) and loads of small shops, stalls and cafes. We headed back artists, craft to Trevi which wasn't as special in the light and we even decided that shaving our way through the crowds to throw a coin in was a wasted effort. So we didnt bother. This of course means it is unlikely that will return mmmm. We made our way to the Spanish Steps (not overly impressed) via a very swanky Shopping centre and a street lined with names such as Ganchel and Hada, wise one 'shoe shop' had the shoes layed at with about 2 metres between each pair and one of each style. Very clue. We headed to Via Veneto, the "posh" road with hotels, famous people and paparazzi but we didn't see any of the above and only stumbled upon retrements in greenbuild which was also expensive. Why would you want to overlook a they road when there are to many other places to eat in Rome, with much better view? - in one back Roma was peanful but we made it via an ice cream shop (Lemon, Pineapple + Snowberry, yummy). After waiting around for crazy intrigued with pigeons to a 3 rance-meal, slowly ruined up near perfect (as banana and yoghlut (so reflected the spoon/fork action). After a saving (and a chat with some new-naked tourists) had dearly perfected (hisand was trying to teach me to count unturnedtouchy-feely blonde Swedish girls, I was really for bed even before 10:30pm!

(Roman rain: it rains while you get wet and when you go to bed and leave you to slough (so tun people like that?)

A slightly less frantic day of quict, had Romanli streets and nicely painted buildings.

And all I have to say is that :) the food was lovely and Satisfying to hear Heather say "Carbonate tastes nice without cheese" and b) Swedish girls indeed!! They kept walking around Naked and ignoring each other messages! And the sheets were perfect... Ahhh. (I got this from my Dad.)