Tue, Sept 16th

The Piazza del Populo has twin churches on its southerly and northerly ends, and a big Egyptian obelisk in the center, nicked by the ancient Romans and then plaqued for Christ by one of the popes. Went into one of these churches and correctly identified the Caravaggio masterpieces as being the ones hidden behind swarms of alarmingly mature schoolchildren. Walked the park around the Villa Borghese to get away from the heat and bustle of the city, and later got even further away from it by taking a ride in a tethered balloon, 150m straight up, with great views of the whole city.

In the evening we went to Trastavere (i.e. 'across the river') to meet up with our Italian friend Lorella and have dinner with her and her friends. We got very good food.

 

28_spanish_steps
28_spanish_steps... 		29_parco_villa_borghese
29_parco_villa_b... 		30_parco_villa_borghese
30_parco_villa_b... 		31_parco_villa_borghese
31_parco_villa_b...
32_smart_cars
32_smart_cars.jpg 		33_museo_villa_borghese
33_museo_villa_b... 		34_balloon
34_balloon.jpg 		35_city_wall_from_balloon
35_city_wall_fro...

on to Day 5...