Still Roaming in Rome

For a larger selection of photos - goto https://goo.gl/photos/7sLVqK4vFrr8otQy7

Dad Says:

Sore legs and feet. Thank goodness it is not too hot - approximately 23-26 degrees (depending on the web sites). 

On our second full day we decided to catch the subway (Metro) to Trinita De Monti, which is more commonly known for the Spanish Steps. I think we may have slightly freaked the kids out with the subway situation and the potential for pick pockets. There was no drama and using the subway or bus system is easy and cheap. EU1.5 per person over 10 years old (Alicia was 9 today) and lasts 100 minutes on all public transport. The end carriages of the Metro were fairly empty where as the middle was full, so we avoided the numbers and went on an end carriage.

Since we got there early and the church was not open, so we went to McDonalds for a snack. The kids were floored by the ipads on the benches in the McCaffe and played Angry Birds for a bit.

The church was nice (as they all are really) however I got told off for wearing a hat and then Simone got told off for wearing shorts! It is apparently not the right attire and one must wear "respectable clothing". Speaking of being told off, Josh forgot about wearing hats within churches and got told off in the next church, Simone got told off for sitting on the steps of the Vittoriano (after we set her up - see the video later on) and Josh also got told off for eating on the steps.

There was a nice view over the city from here and this was next to a very large botanic park. The photo is of the Vittoriano.

We went through the shopping district and saw many expensive designer shops with door men stopping the riff-raff from entering. Hence we escaped without purchasing any designer labels. Though Alicia did manage to find a Disney store and purchased a nice Minnie Mouse jumper.

We then walked and ate lunch right next to the very busy Trevi fountain. 

The Vittoriano seems to be the building that stands out the most with its large white columns and massive chariots on top. Whilst waiting for Simone to catch up as she was taking photos we saw a couple of people get whistled at from a guard for sitting on the steps. So I asked Simone to sit down whilst I took her photo (much to Alicia's displeasure) ...

The Vatican was next. We struggled to find a shop to sell bus tickets (you cannot get them on the bus). Any place that sells cigarettes will have tickets. We jumped on a bus and a local confirmed that it went to the Vatican. The Vatican was a massive plaza, I was just happy that we found a couple of Swiss guards that let us take their photo.

That night we went back to the Colosseum and saw it lit up.. and more Gelati. 

We are getting more comfortable with the hectic nature of the driving and crossing roads, keeps us on our toes.

Josh says:
Today we went to the Trevi Fountain and Vatican City. Before we went to the Trevi fountain we took the subway which was crowded luckily we didn't get robbed. Then we went for some shopping and saw another church. Mum got told off for wearing shorts in the church. The Trevi Fountain was fantastic so many people there. McDonalds was cool at the tables they had I Pads. Before we went to the Vatican City we looked in another church and I got told of for wearing a hat. Then we went to the Vatican City which was ok we didn't go inside but saw the outside of it. Planning to go and see the colosseum again tonight.

 

Alicia says:

Today we went to the Vatican City on a subway. Lucky we didn't get pick pocketed on the subway. 

When we got off the subway we walked to a fountin which was the shape of a boat. Near the fountin there were horses and carts that people can ride on. There where only 1-4 shops open so we decided to go and have something to eat. There is a McCaffe and at the back of there was McDonalds which was huge.