Day 9

Banana for breakfast

We woke up on Sunday and ate some bananas and Frosted Flakes for breakfast.  Our original plans of going with some friends to the lake fell through because we couldn't get directions.  The internet went down on the whole campus and has been down for the last couple of days.  Along with the many power outages this campus has in the afternoons and the lack of air condition in the class rooms, sometimes it seems impossible that this place is an educational institution.  But we didn't let the day go to waste.  Ashely and I went downtown around lunchtime and ate at BURGER KING!

Burger King!

Yes it might seem odd that we went to an American fast food place in Rome, but we wanted something fast and good.  Some foods are expensive in Rome and Burger King happens to be one of them.  You had to buy the ketchup for your fries if you wanted it.  Nevertheless we were quite satisfied.

Satisfied!

After eating we walked past Old Bridge.  Old Bridge is the most well-known gelato place in Rome.  It is like the Carl’s of Fredericksburg.  Each time Ashley and I have walked by it the line is out the door and around the corner.  We timed it just right that we walked by just as they were reopening after siesta.  We were one of the first ones in line and enjoyed ourselves some DELICIOUS gelato.  I can see why it is so popular.  

Vanilla and Chocolate

Mint and Chocolate gelato

 

From there we walked to a cat sanctuary that was located in the middle of some ruins.  Apparently it is a popular attraction in Rome and it was recommended that we see it.  The cats roam freely amongst the ruins of a temple and inside is a clinic that takes care of more sickly cats.  We saw one cat that was brought in completely paralyzed and was now able to limp around.  It was very impressive.

Cat sanctuary in the ruins

sleeping cat

Afterward we went back to the Pantheon, which was closed the last time we visited it.  We got to go inside.  It was really really cool.  Inside the large dome was a modern day church and surrounding the walls were little chapels and tombs.  One tomb was of the famous painter Raphael. Another was of the first king of Italy.

The top of the dome

Inside the Pantheon

After visiting the Pantheon, we went to Piazza Navona and at a delicious dinner there right next to the Fountain of the Four Rivers.  We ate spaghetti with meatballs and bruschetta!

sooooo good!

After eating we fell into a beautiful church that was under renovation.  The interior was beautiful!

After leaving the church we just walked the streets of Italy.  We fell into one vintage store where I made my first non-food related purchase.  It was a small painting of Herbie for 3 Euros.

Herbie!

Upon leaving the store, we went home while it was still light out.  We spent the rest of the evening doing homework and then went to bed.