July 2, 2019
Well, this is it. Our final day in Roma. Tomorrow, we head home. We wanted to make it count. So...here goes.
To start off, we found a pastry shop near Campo de’ Fiori and sat in the park and ate breakfast. We both had a really good pastry with apple cinnamon filling, and sugar granules on top. We also got something called a napolitano...which is basically a white cookie with chocolate cookie on the inside. Sherry Ann liked it, but I probably wouldn’t order it again. We returned to the apartment to check in for our flight in the morning. Then we made our way to the Becca Della Verità for pictures and a short walk through the church there. The famous circular stone is pretty big. Sherry Ann got her picture, then it was my turn. I considered sticking my hand up his nose, but didn’t think that would go over too well.
On our way back to the apartment, we grabbed a couple of kebabs and had lunch in the air conditioned room. It was really nice. After eating, we had to go through everything and pack it up. Just another sad reminder that it’s coming to an end. We have to return to real life. After all of that, we crossed the river and caught the bus to Vatican City. We took the time to go through St. Peter’s Basilica. Wow. That place is enormous! And even though we don’t really believe in the same doctrines they teach, it is still a place of worship and a place of reverence. The artwork is amazing, and the scale of it all just boggles the mind.
It was then time to get dinner, and we ate at the Ristorante Pasta e Vino just around the corner from the apartment. I HAD to have the fettuccine alla carbonara one last time, and Sherry Ann had the lasagna. We then splurged a little and had panna cotta with strawberry sauce. Mmmmmm. It was all so amazing. Andrea, our server, was a lot of fun. After setting Sherry Ann’s panna cotta down, he waited a second, then went to pick it up, saying, “Your time is over.”
After dinner, we went for our final passeggiata through the streets and piazzas of Roma. Since the tram arrived at the stop at about the same time we did, we got on and rode it for 2 stops, then got off. I wanted to go and see a tiny courtyard near Campo de’ Fiori. It was really cool. Just this little area hidden away in plain sight with trees and vines and an old staircase leading to an upper story of the building. I thought it was picture perfect, so I took a few. Then, we went to a few of our favorite piazzas.
First stop: Piazza Navona. The Fountain of the Four Rivers dominates the piazza. It was always a special piazza for me and all the times I did street contacting as a missionary, but it also became special to Sherry Ann as we sat there each time we visited it, and talked and watched people. The other fountains (Del Moro and Del Nettuno) were quite a sight to see as well, although la Fontana Del Nettuno seemed to be a little short on water pressure.
Next stop: Piazza della Rotonda. In the center stands a fountain with its obelisk, but the dominating feature is the Pantheon, for sure. We sat on the steps of the fountain for a good while still thinking and talking about the things we had done and seen on this extended trip. From here, we walked up the street to the Lindt Chocolate store. We had to go in and buy a few of the truffle flavors that we can’t get back home. Eventually, I had to say no more. The bag was getting pretty full, and I could just see the Euro adding up. From there, we walked past the Gelateria Delle Palme, where we LOVED the 12€ Monster cone the other night!
Next stop: Piazza di Spagna and the Spanish Steps. We thought that maybe being a Tuesday evening, there wouldn’t be as many tourists. Boy were we wrong! You could hardly see the steps. We were able to find a spot and sat down on the steps gazing out at the flying rocket/copters that were shot up in the air by vendors, people walking by, others drinking from the fountain, and others just sitting there eating their overpriced gelato. Remember, don’t buy the gelato by the Spanish Steps...way too pricey.
Next stop: La Fontana di Trevi. I mean, come on. We had to stop by and throw a coin into the fountain. We made sure we did our research on the proper technique for the coin toss. A single coin tossed over your left shoulder with your right hand is said to ensure your return to the Eternal City. Since neither one of us needs to bother with finding a new (Italian) love in Rome, or to marry said Italian love, we didn’t bother to toss in a second or third coin. The sound of the water, and the lights on the statuary of the fountain were so relaxing and romantic. The trick was trying to drown out the hoards of people around you.
We completed our stroll through the streets and piazzas of Rome with a gelato. We finished our frequent customer card, so one of them was free. The clerk recognized us, and commented that we come in a lot. I told him that this would be our last, since we had to return home to the States, and he wished us a buon viaggio.
I thank Heavenly Father for giving us this opportunity to come here together, and enjoy the cities of Europe that we’ve been able to visit. I thank Him for my lovely wife who was willing and eager to come on this adventure with me. I didn’t really have to twist her arm at all. And I thank my children back home who were willing to make things work without us for a time, and to take on some extra responsibilities, as well as those who kept an eye on them and made sure things were going well. It has all been noticed, and I pray that the Lord will bless you for your efforts.
Anyway, look out kids...were coming home!
