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Loretta: We awake to a wet Sunday and head to Termini to buy an all day transport pass. We catch our first metro train to Circo Massimo (Circus Maximus). We observe dogs exercising around this ancient sporting sight and watch with amusement as two Italian mountain bikers fail in their repeated attempts to ride up the sheer grassy wet embankment to via Circo Massimo.
We stroll along Via San Sabina and enter the Aventino hilltop gardens to view another impressive perspective of both Ancient and modern Rome. We cross Ponte Sublicio and enter the biggest flea market near the Port Portese gates within the outer reaches of the Trastevere district. We spend a couple hours there before venturing on to Ponte Cestio, across the Isola and then into the Teatro Marcello (ancient site)- WOW! This is so close to the monument of Victor Emmanuelle and we never knew it existed until now. We then enter into the attractive Jewish quarter and are again mesmerised by the buildings that surround this area.
Forward to Via del Corso to buy the Vespa calendar that Giovanni had sighted two days earlier. We find our way to Barberini and catch the metro to Flaminio and see the impressive Piazza del Popolo (this was the first time I had seen this- Giovanni went there with Trinity in 2005). 0n the metro again to Ottaviano and then to St Peter's piazza, beautifully illuminated by it's all year round night lighting, but further enhanced by the Christmas tree and Presepio lighting.
I subsequently buy a beautiful Italian made top and enjoy warm drinks at a stylish Italian cafe-per io, un pot of tea! Feeling exhausted, we return to Ottaviano metro and make our way back to our Roman abode.
The following day we explore the southern end of the metro line towards
Anagnina. We alight at every stop back towards Termini and experience the 'burbs' of Rome- good to have these reality checks. At Numidio Quadrato, Giovanni, impressed by the ten euro price tag and arguing his theory that a lousy hairdresser in Rome would undoubtedly be executed at the Colosseum, encourages me to show courage and have my haircut at an Asian/Italian salon. I am scared and skeptical however I follow Giovanni into the salon. He is armed with his ipad and the photo that he downladed from Google images ( the style he felt would best suit me. He shows the staff the picture, they nod, I am ushered to the chair and receive probably the best haircut I have had in years. The hairdresser wasn't the most gentle hairdresser I have had (perhaps because he couldn't speak English and couldn't direct my head movements), but I am extremely pleased with the cut and style-Giovanni even got a free banana to eat while waiting!
The remaining two days are spent exploring our immediate surrounds and taking time out in the afternoon for extended and blissful siestas. On both evenings, we eat at a traditional Italian restaurant and enjoy delicious, home made three course meals-including wine, for only €10 each.
We awake feeling depressed on our day of our departure for Australia. We really don't want this holiday to end and return to the heat and humidity of the North Coast and the routine of life. Life has been blissful for 107 days.
We are allowed to check out late from our accommodation, and walk to Termini, dragging our heels to catch the shuttle bus to the airport.
We are sitting here typing our epilogue as we wait to board our first flight to Korea at 10.20pm.
Giovanni: yes, I am psychologically shattered. Yesterday, I received an email from second cousin, Pat Russell in England, asking how the trip was going, my reply:
"Hi Pat, it's ending !!! returning to Australia tomorrow and think that I would prefer to die instead. It has been brilliant, life-changing in fact. I would now like to spend a month at a time at each our favourite locations. That would probably extend the trip by three years. Xx"
That about sums it up. Have to return soon. ......Ah Presto!!!
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