Friday June 14
Left early in the morning, before the heat kicks in, or so I thought. After a quiet walk to the river. Mind you, even though the clock says 9:00 am, DST means it is really 8:00 am!! Later in the day hit 37°C and 70% humidity – and this is spring. Ain’t coming here in summer!!!
Talking of the river, we crossed a bridge, with love locks to match the Pont Des Arts in Paris, well nearly.
Fortunately, most of the walk on the banks of the Tiber was in shade:
Once we got to the shopping area, I realised why she was so keen to shop here! When questioned later, our guide had hysterics, and could not offer a real explanation.
Then the sad discovery that the shops don’t open till at least 10:00am. Time to part ways. I’m off to the Castel Sant’Angelo and to cross the Rubicon Tiber.
A little history
Construction of the building began in the year 135 under the direction of the Emperor Hadrian, who intended to use it as mausoleum for himself and his family. It was finished in the year 139 and a short time later, it became a military building, which in the year 403 would be integrated to the Aurelian Walls.
In the year 590, while a great epidemic of plague devastated the city, the Pope Gregory I had a vision of Saint Michael the Archangel on top of the castle, announcing the end of the epidemic. In memory of the apparition the building is crowned with a statue of an angel.
In the year 1277 an 800 metre fortified corridor was built that connected the castle with the Vatican City so that the Pope could escape in the event that he were in danger. During the sieges that occurred in Rome during 1527, the Pope Clement VII used the fortress as a refuge.
No matter where I go, I just love the ‘Official’ t-shirts and vests that the scammers don.
There was also a new brand of church music outside the Castel.
There are lots of stalls in the area, and most seek shady spots where possible.
Two things I have found in short supply in Rome – small local parks and public toilets.
At the castel, the only one was in the back of a kiosk. It has to be the worlds smallest toilet, but a godsend nonetheless. (and a second time on the way back from the far side of the river)
The other side of the river was a whole different world.
One side of the street was a multitude of parked fancy motor bikes and scooters. On the other side of the street was a lonely, humble, hand painted pushbike.
It is so damn hot I dropped into a local supermarket and bought a cold bottle of Coke. Then I found a shady spot under a statue for a breather and a drink. It was already occupied by a small group, and the slurred greeting made me realise I had accidentally joined the local deros. Thank heavens I had a Coke, not a beer, or I might have been stuck there all day.
They say Rome is a city of churches, but to be honest I haven’t seen that many. I did find this one trying to hide.
When I look at the following pic, all I can think of is ‘Paint the arches yellow, and you have a perfect advert’
On the way, I passed by the Court house. Out the front were a number of statues. A couple caught my attention, because, instead of the normal severe formal look, a couple seemed to saying ‘WTF??’ and ‘OMG did they just say that??’
Petrol prices are a bit higher than I am used to, and this at a service station that is naked and totally self serve. No wonder the lady drives a Fiat 500. To put it in perspective, this equates to about $A 2.40/L for diesel and $A 2.66/L for petrol.
Back to the park, to sit and wait patiently for the shopping lady to appear, then back to hotel for a cold shower and an even colder beer.
