So with a backpack packed with things we would need to be out the whole day, we ventured out again. This time, Thomas used maps he down loaded on his phone and he found the underground station closest to us and we bought day passes which was great because that meant that we could see even more that day than it first appeared we would be able to just walking. With camera in hand, we started out at our first stop, the Spanish Steps. As we walked out of the subway, we started heading in one direction, and noticed people sitting on steps to a building, but as we continued further passed it, on Thomas' map, we noticed that we had just passed the famous Spanish Steps...haha, typical:) I think it just looked like a place to rest at first with lots of people, but when we went back, we could see that indeed the steps took you up to a view overlooking the city, and it was a beautiful view...
That's us heading up the steps...
The view from the top...
From there we easily walked to the famous Trevi Fountain where legend has it if you toss a coin over your left shoulder then you would return to Rome again. It was quite crowded there as well, but it was nice to see and the boys enjoyed throwing their coins.
Next on our adventure was the Piazza del Popolo where I had read there was a church Santa Maria Del Popolo whose chapel was created by Raphael in 1516. It was hard to find the entrance to the church, and as we wondered, we again found ourselves climbing stairs and at the top was an unexpected treasure! We had the most beautiful view over Rome! Even prettier than the Spanish Steps and a bit less crowded as well.
In the distance you can even see Saint Peter's Basilica
We started wondering around and even found the Villa Borghese which is a large park where many locals picnic and relax and we strolled around there for a while. Finding our way back to the Piazza, we found the entrance to the church, but it was going to be an hour until it was open, so we found yet another delicious place to eat outdoors on a side street.
A Caprese salad...
A Cheese plate for dessert...yummy
We headed back to the church and saw the beautiful interior and the famous works of art.
Outside, we sat for a minute and the boys saw a street artist using spray paint and tools to create artwork of the colosseum from the beginning.
They were so entertained by this guy who even used fire to set the paint so when he put a 10 Euro price on the picture, Alex really wanted it so he bought it and the guy carefully closed it up and used a little tape to keep it closed without touching since it was still a bit wet...(I offered to carry it at this point to keep it from ruining).
Trying to fit one more thing in to our schedule and confident about our new navigating abilities on the subway, we decided to venture to the farthest other side of Rome and see if we could find the Bocca della Veritá. When we went to the subway, it was really crowded onboard already so of course I was really nervous that the boys wouldn't get on, or we would lose them in the crowd, (oh yeah, I was still wearing the loaded backpack, and carrying the painting delicately above peoples heads). As we crammed on, I was near the exit and the boys were closer to Thomas, but it was only about 2 minutes until the next stop where people cleared out and I had more room to walk further into the subway and turn around. It was then that I heard a voice say to me, "You know your backpack is unzipped", I didn't react so much I guess because then he said, "I'm just telling you that you've probably been pickpocketed"...it was then that I looked into my slightly unzipped backpack and noticed that yes indeed, both Alex and Ben's iPhones were gone, my wallet carrying credit cards, bank cards, driver's license, and money, and my large zoom camera lens were all gone!
Needless to say, that put a damper on that evening. I got off at the main terminal and luckily there was a Police Station there where I filled out a report and cancelled all my cards. None of my accounts were used before they were stopped thank goodness! Also, in Sweden we have theft insurance on our housing policy even when traveling fortunately so the next morning I was able to call and tell them about the theft and they had reimbursed me minus a deductible before I even got home from the trip...
Outside, we sat for a minute and the boys saw a street artist using spray paint and tools to create artwork of the colosseum from the beginning.
They were so entertained by this guy who even used fire to set the paint so when he put a 10 Euro price on the picture, Alex really wanted it so he bought it and the guy carefully closed it up and used a little tape to keep it closed without touching since it was still a bit wet...(I offered to carry it at this point to keep it from ruining).
Trying to fit one more thing in to our schedule and confident about our new navigating abilities on the subway, we decided to venture to the farthest other side of Rome and see if we could find the Bocca della Veritá. When we went to the subway, it was really crowded onboard already so of course I was really nervous that the boys wouldn't get on, or we would lose them in the crowd, (oh yeah, I was still wearing the loaded backpack, and carrying the painting delicately above peoples heads). As we crammed on, I was near the exit and the boys were closer to Thomas, but it was only about 2 minutes until the next stop where people cleared out and I had more room to walk further into the subway and turn around. It was then that I heard a voice say to me, "You know your backpack is unzipped", I didn't react so much I guess because then he said, "I'm just telling you that you've probably been pickpocketed"...it was then that I looked into my slightly unzipped backpack and noticed that yes indeed, both Alex and Ben's iPhones were gone, my wallet carrying credit cards, bank cards, driver's license, and money, and my large zoom camera lens were all gone!
Needless to say, that put a damper on that evening. I got off at the main terminal and luckily there was a Police Station there where I filled out a report and cancelled all my cards. None of my accounts were used before they were stopped thank goodness! Also, in Sweden we have theft insurance on our housing policy even when traveling fortunately so the next morning I was able to call and tell them about the theft and they had reimbursed me minus a deductible before I even got home from the trip...
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