It was spitting when I left the hotel and by the time I had made my way to Trastevere it decided to become more insistent rain. So not too many good photos today and am glad I held this one over from yesterday, taken from along the Lungotevere Vaticano. Above those houses is a beautiful walkway called the Passegiato del Gianicolo. It’s as green as you get in the city and wonderfully peaceful on a Sunday morning.
From the Passegiato I walked back through Trastevere where the streets started to fill with tourists looking for lunch. To compensate for too much food yesterday, my plan was to hang on until around 3pm for the second and final meal of the day. Ignoring a grumbling stomach, I got absorbed in photographing different types of door knockers, while roaming through the narrow and very photogenic streets.
The rain lightened a little, but not for long and by the time I had crossed to the other side of the river and neared the Campidoglio it was pouring down just as I was lined up in a slow-moving queue to get a ticket for the Musei Capitolini, my umbrella threatening to take wing. The Musei Capitolini were definitely worth the wait with all their ancient treasures. One of my favourite items was a stone candlestick, with delicately carved leaves on it.
Next up was an exploration of the Foro Romano, but not until I had eaten: linguine ai funghi porcini and a glass of red wine.
Looking at the Foro you can’t help but be amazed at what the Romans built, but let’s not forget they had slaves. Imagine how fast our renovations would be if you had recourse to that kind of work force. In fact, The Romans also pretty much invented the original Hunger Games, sans television of course, but really the concept was there. Cue the Colosseum.
For me the Palatino was the most magical of all and I wished for weather more conducive to soak up the atmosphere for longer. Another pleasant surprise at the end of the day was San Giovanni in Laterani, particularly the byzantine paintings in the cupola. But nearly seven hours of walking had depleted the battery and it was time to make a retreat back to the hotel. Last day in Rome tomorrow. After that the mountains beckon.
The Inner Game of the Outdoors 
OK, that was a wonderful post. I wish I were there. I read your “about me” page and honestly the entire life package seems amazing. If you don’t mind I have a quick question. I’m going on a trip soon and was wondering what is the best way to exchange money before I go (or even while I’m at my destination) so as to get the best exchange rate? Being that you’ve been to so many places and have changed money so many times I thought you could help. Any suggestions?
Hi wanderinggenie, thank you for liking the post. As for changing money, it depends a bit on where you are going and for how long. In some places I might just change some at one of the money exchangers at an airport when I arrive or just get some money out of an ATM. But those fees can add up. For this trip I’ve been a bit more organised and bought some money upfront through my bank. They also offered something called a Travelex card. It’s a Visa card you load up from your bank account (and reloadable on the road) and allows you to withdraw money (Euros in this case) at a much smaller fee than on a normal debit card. Very useful and allows you to carry less cash on you. Comes in different currencies as well, but not sure how widely these are available globally? Certainly there’ll be something like that everywhere. And finally, watch those exchange rates and know when they might go up or down. Oanda does a good currency converter which shows patterns. I hope that helps.
Yeah, the exchange rates are a killer, we’re working on that. Thanks for the response and tips. The only problem with travelex is the rates they give you. I looked at their dollar to peso and the conversion and it … well wasn’t great. thanks again. cheers
I have just returned from a trip to South America, but also travel internationally every year. I find the most convenient way to change money and to minimise losses is simply to use your ATM card (make sure you have one that has “Cirrus” recognition as this seems to be the most reliable to match up with an ATM and I have found these ATMs easily throughout Europe/India/USA and Sth America). This will take money direct from your account at the exchange rate of the day at a much lower fee (about 1/2) that of changing it through a money exchange office. You also go direct from AUS$ to currency of choice rather than through US$ or other.
Sounds like you are having a wonderful time there in Rome (though difficult not to in that gorgeous city!) I am sure you will walk off all the fabulous indulgences, which if you didn’t enjoy then you wouldn’t have been enjoying Rome!! 😉 Shall look forward to more updates!
Ciao Kate 🙂