July 3

Day 2. Definitely more rested than yesterday. Slept like a baby.  We took the tube to the Borghese gallery. It’s a really nice walk from where we got off the subway to the actual gallery itself.  The Borghese gallery is a villa with beautiful artwork and sculptures housed inside. As soon as we got inside we checked our bags, cameras included. So unfortunately I don’t have any pictures inside. A lot of Bernini’s work is featured here. My two favorite pieces from the Borghese are Bernini’s Apollo and Daphne and Houdon’s sculpture of Christ. There are also quite a few of Caravaggio’s paintings that I recognized from my art history class that I took a few semesters ago. I’m guessing the class will come in handy after all. Definitely a good feeling when I am able to recognize a piece of art; pick out interesting things In the painting and know a little bit about the artists background. There was an exhibit set up in a small garden house off of the gardens. This was a small collection of very modern black and white prints. The combination of these two different styles and time periods was unique and refreshing!

(St. Clemente)

 (special doors)

We took a walking tour of Rome with our sweet Antoinette (our peppy tour guide). Love her. She gets right to the point and gives you just the right amount of information.  First stop, St. Clemente church. Like the city In California (thought of you Jill).  Second stop, St. Mary’s church. Dedicated to none other than the Virgin Mary.  This is the only church where you would see Mary depicted at the same size as Christ.  There is a set of holy doors that are only opened for the Jubilee every 25 years. The famous Michelangelo’s sculpture of Moses is here and Bernini is buried in this church. The last church is apparently the church of fire in the movie, Angel’s and Demons.

 Last stop, Trevi Fountain. Wow, what a sight! We got there when it was swarming with people. It’s an impressive fountain. Maybe the most unique I’ve seen. It actually inspired my own little fountain… what do you think?! News just in… I guess there is a legend that if you throw a coin over your right shoulder you’ll come back to Rome. If you throw in two coins you’ll meet a nice Italian and if you throw in three, he’ll ask you to marry him.

 We had dinner at this great little restaurant nearby. Day 2. Check.