 When I arrived at the apartment I rent in Rome, sweet, kind Daniela had set me up with some fruit and chocolates. How nice is that? I usually unpack and hit the streets as soon as I arrive, but this time I was grumpy and tired, so I (rather rudely) shooed Daniela away and took a 5 hour nap. Can 5 hours of sleeping be considered a nap? I felt bad because she's always so nice to me, but I was just out of sorts and way more tired than usual. All I could think about was sleep.
She kindly took me out this morning for cappuccino at a cafe' near Ponte Milvio. It's a bridge over the Tiber at the northern end of Rome. Though I walk frequently to Trastevere (which is over the river) I'd never been to this area before. It's just lovely and the weather could not be more pleasant. Daniela said it's quite popular with the youth in the evenings and, if my research is accurate, it's where the tradition of lovers hanging their locks of love began in 2006. The couple would lock their love padlocks to the lampost and throw the key into the river. This was all fine and dandy until so many young lovers took
part that the lampost began collapse. Now it is done in many different areas across Europe. I've seen it in a few places in Rome and also at the Cinque Terre. A somewhat crooked view from Ponte Milvio
 How strange is that comparison? I was introduced to Pinterest a few months ago and keep thinking how it reminds me of my visit to the Vatican museums. The museums are filled (and I mean FILLED to overflowing) with works of art. Various mediums are present --- a wide variety of artists, styles, interests, etc. There are 9 miles (yes, nine miles) of art to view. I read an account that says if you look at each item for 1 minute, it would take 4 years. I'm not sure if they took potty breaks or sleepy time, but it's interesting nevertheless. My time in the Vatican museums was not my favorite Roman experience - that's such a sad confession for me but it was sensory overload to the extreme. I began to feel guilty for hurrying past spectacular pieces just to get to the end. The rooms crowded with people, sculptures, paintings, tapestry, maps and frescoes began to run together in a blurr. I wasn't prepared, I guess. Not my best hour.
Pinterest is like that. Not to say that it is filled with fabulous works of art, but it can cause sensory overload. Page after page of interesting sayings, great do-it-yourself projects, recipes galore, home decor ideas, etc., etc., etc. I have found some gems, though. I'm learning to refinish furniture and I can do some great things with empty toilet paper rolls.
When you enter this church you are technically entering another country because, though not anywhere near it, it is part of the Vatican - which is its own country. It qualifies as being huge and ornate. It's not as light inside as other large churches, so very difficult to photograph. Hopefully, you'll get the gist of it. Churches here have many different chapels. This used to confuse me, but I get it now. Off to one side (or many areas) is a smaller meeting place - though many are equally ornate and sometimes large. This is one of the at least four chapels in the basilica. Gian Lorenzo Bernini, my all-time favorite artist, is buried in this basilica. Right by the main altar - on the right side. How cool is that? His sculptures are everywhere here in Rome, but - and I promise you this - the marble sculpture of Apollo and Daphne in the Borghese Gallery is worth the trip to Rome. I'm telling you it is. Trust me. I go there, pay the admission to this HUGE gallery FULL of priceless works of art and head off to room #3 where, in the center of the room, is THE most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I stand there marveling that it was once a chunk of marble. I look at other sculptures and think, "Wow, a fabulously talented person did this. It's beautiful." I look at Apollo and Daphne and think, "No way! It's not marble. The bark of the tree is real. The leaves are almost transparent. The roots growing off of Daphne's toes are a-ma-zing." He was only 27ish when he sculpted it. (A year after he did his David. - not the one in Florence - that one's by Michelangelo.) I want to touch is so badly - and I could, I really could. I'm just inches away. Alas, I'm afraid they won't let me visit again! Anyway, he's buried here and that makes this basilica special.
 A friend recently asked me to name my favorite post. Hmmmm. That got me thinking. Many of my subscribers are somewhat new so I thought I'd link a few of my favorite posts to make it easy for everyone to see a bit of what you may have missed. Just click the brown links and you can hop on over to check them out.
Acqua Alta in Venice has to be one of my favorites because it was such an experience to be there during the high water. It reminded me once again of the tenacity of the people here.
 Civita di Bagnoregio is unique and charming. There are no cars allowed inside the city gates and the walk up (always up!!) to enter was long and strenuous, but worth every huff and puff. It had rained in the morning, leaving the cobblestones glistening and everything fragrantly fresh. Such a special place.
I don't think I could have a favorite post about Rome. I love this city in all her beauty, frustrations, hospitality, graffiti, history, crowdedness, and stillness. I did find the link to this short video that I revisit occasionally when I miss being there. Enjoy. RomA.
I feel somewhat like a negligent parent because I've left out Cinque Terre and Naples and Sorrento and Sicily, etc........ There is much diversity. So many interesting places to explore. I do so appreciate your being on this jorney with me. Many of you have sent me private notes that I find encouraging. Sometimes when I'm exploring I try to see things through your eyes and think of what you'd like to experience. I hope that in some small way our time together helps you step out to live your life boldly and with purpose. I just reread this and it sounds like I'm breaking up with you! LOL Looking back through my posts has made me emotional, I guess. I'll still be here posting away and exploring Rome and Italy every chance I get.
 Ponte Sant'Angelo (Bridge of Hadrian) is a pedestrian bridge crossing the Tiber from Rome's city center to the Castel Sant'Angelo. The bridge is flanked on both sides by a total of 10 angels and was traversed by untold numbers of pilgrims on their way to St. Peter's Basilica. As you walk across the bridge, the Castel greats you directly in front while, by glancing to your left, you see St. Peter's.
 The name, Castel Sant Angelo dates back to when Pope Gregory the Great, during a procession to plead for the end of a plague, saw an angel standing on the top of the castle sheathing its sword. This was interpreted as being a heavenly sight that the plague was about to end. Henceforth, it became known as Castel Sant Angelo. A small chapel was built on top the castle at the spot where the angel was supposed to have appeared. The event is commemorated by a magnificent eighteenth century statue, created by the Flemish artist Werschaffeltof, of the angel sheathing its sword.
http://www.rome-tour.co.uk/castel_sant_angelo.htm
San Bartolomeo is affiliated with the community of Sant'Egidio - a christian community whose main focus is prayer centered around the reading of the Bible, spreading the gospel, service to the poor, and dialogue with members of other religions and non-believers. There is a sign outside in italian and in english inviting all to evening prayer at 8:30 each night.
Since I've been focusing on Rome's beautiful churches, I think this post fits.  Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli is one of my favorite churches here in Rome. It's beautiful, spacious, and they usually have some sort of interesting exhibit inside. I had been admiring a sculpture by Ernesto Lamagna and was sitting in a pew translating the inscription I had copied, when I noticed that a wedding was about to take place. In the public church. Full of tourists. With no attempt to get rid of us. There was a small section roped off with beautiful flowers. Traditional music began playing and.................. Here comes the bride!
Followed by her attendants. You gotta love it.
This church is easy to photograph because the entire entrance is glass, thus..... plenty of light. It's got lots of stucco, faux marble and frescoes. If you look very closely on each pillar below the lights, you can see stone carvings depicting the stations of the cross. Below is one close up. Below is a relatively small fresco up near the ceiling that caught my attention. I noticed I was straining my neck to stare it because it just drew me in. There were so many interesting works of art that I found myself wishing I had someone with me who could explain the stories behind them. Many were quite captivating. Churches are so full of beautiful art that my eyes can't begin to take it all in.
There are over 900 churches in Rome, I am told. That sounds about right to me.
Though flash photography is prohibited in most, I'll try to give you a glimpse
into this beautiful part of Rome. We'll begin in Santa Maria in Trastevere, one of the oldest churches in Rome, whose apse (semi-circular termination of the the main building where the altar is) contains some of the most beautiful 13th century mosaics I've ever seen. It's impossible to capture the beauty of the mosaics here. They glisten in the light and give the design a feeling of glowing splendor. This church is quite popular with art students and tourists alike. Here's a very small part of a very large ceiling......
I walked from my apartment near Piazza Fiume this morning to the area around the Pantheon. As I was walking back home, I counted my steps and took a photograph every 100 steps - no matter where I was. Walk with me by watching the following slide show:
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