Day 9 (6/13/11):

This morning we went for a run along the same route I did last week. Again, it was gorgeous, and we both commented on how we wish we brought our cameras.

Afterwards, we went in search of the Priorato di Malta (aka: Keyhole). It's located right along the Tevere, and just a little south of the city center. When you get to the keyhole, you literally stand at a giant door and peak through a tiny keyhole! On the other side of the door is a beautiful garden with trees and bushes that make an arched pathway straight back to a beautiful view of the top of St. Peter's Basilica. It's absolutely stunning to look at (and kind of remins me of "The Secret Garden"!), but really hard to take a good picture of. I forget what the history of this place was, but I have it stuck in my head that St. Peter would look through the keyhole to see what the army was up to... I could totally be incorrect with that info, though!

On our way towards school, we happened to pass through the Roseto di Roma which is an extraordinarily large and beautiful rose garden. We also passed the area of the Bocca della Verita, but didn't have time to go look at the monument.

When we got to school we learned that we moved up to Level 2!! :o) Jackie and I both did ok on Friday's exam, so we were pretty proud of ourselves. Normally it takes a month to get through each level, so moving up in one week must be good! We spent most of class reviewing the past tense, direct object prnouns, and other things from last week.

The weather outside was perfect when we got out of class, so we just couldn't go back and and spend the rest of the day in our tiny bedroom. Instead, we went to "The Glass" by Piazza Venezia for an aperitivo. Afterwards, we went back to the apartment to relax the rest of the evening.