It wasn't that long ago, but...

Just a few days ago, I was excited about arriving in Rome! Now, already, my time in Rome is already past, and I have reached the final leg of my long awaited trip--Paris with Jamie and Hideko!  I am in kind of a daze with that realization--I've been eager to share this time with them for so long! I intend to grasp and squeeze every moment! (They're not up yet, so I'll enjoy your company!)

So--day before yesterday was my final day in Rome and with Bob and Denise. Spent part of the time at a 'farmer's market' a couple blocks away and enjoyed a tasty cafe latte, and took home some fresh cherries and small croissants (though they had another name and were fabulous!!) I thought about taking pictures there, but I felt uneasy about it. No one would have said anything, it's all completely my issue, but I am already so not a part of that culture, I want to feel what it's like there, and it seemed to me that snapping pix would place another layer of distance between them and me. I've always felt that way. I'm also certain that I've missed some pretty excellent shots, but, really, I don't care; this is how I feel about it and I enjoyed my time smiling and nodding at people, making my small purchases. I apologize that you don't get to see any of it--the main thing I noticed is that the tomatotes are really, really RED!!!

Spent quite a bit of time packing up because we'd a late afternoon/evening Arrivaderci, Roma visit planned. And it all worked perfectly! So here we go! (Now your dose of pictures!)

Took the Metro to the Spanish Steps, church at the top under repair as you can see. A warm, crowded evening, not hot, just a little muggy and we had our umbrellas just in case!

To Trevi Fountain--no throwing in a coin because that magnificent work of art is also under construction--

still pretty amazing though, isn't it!

On we strolled, through some small piazzas with columns like this one memorializing struggles and victories against the barbarians--

There are soldiers and battle scenes etc., winding their way up the column.

The the magnificent Pantheon! Originally a temple to the many gods of Rome, it was converted to a Christian church long, long ago. Though we'd have loved to see it with the orignal stautes intact, that continued use is what maintained it over these many centuries!

Inside are several tombs including the artist Rafael; the man who united Italy not so very long ago: Victor Emanuelle, and his wife Margarita, for whom the pizza was named! (Those are your facts for the day.)

The proportions of the Pantheon are perfect: it is as wide as it is tall with a dome, though relatively shallow, that was incredible for its time. Studied by both Brunelleschi who designed the dome in Florence, and Michelangelo, who designed the dome of St. Peter's, it really is the prototype dome!

The ceiling, though, is my favorite part; it too has been borrowed extensively; I've seen it in the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C., and in the National Gallery of Art above some restful garden areas. So, ta-dah!

 The center opening at the very top is the oculus, and it is wide open, there were drops of rain falling in while we were there! Not a lot, but some! Pretty cool, an awesome place!!!

Looking outside, between the columns to the obelisk:

 Here it is one more time, with its fancy-based obelisk in the piazza in front! the place is filling with people enjoying the cooling air of evening.

More wandering--actually trying to follow a map, which is not easy in Old Rome, where there was no need for streets in a grid! We visited St. Maria Sopra Minerva, which has this obelisk-bearing elephant out front--

 and inside, a statue by Michelangelo, which I couldn't photograph because Mass was going on. Still, here's the ceiling:

Leaving the church, one last glimpse of the Pantheon:

If you look carefully, you can see the arches that support the building.

Now to dinner: Bob ordered bruschetta for us, and this is what arrived:

cubes of bread, tomatoes and olives tossed with oil and vinegar, served in a beer glass! It was fantastic!!! Sorry, but, as usual, I forgot to take pictures of the rest of our meal.

Now to Piazza Navona in the setting sun! Three magnificent fountains:

(This is a detail of the one with the obelisk.)

A taxi ride home, final packing the next morning, ride to the airport, long flight delay, smooth trip into Paris and--

Here  I am in Paris, how amazing and wonderful is that!!!

A blessing to you from Notre Dame, the REAL Notre Dame!