Wakeup came at 7:15 and everyone was ready for breakfast by 7:45. Standard fare of assorted breads, meat/cheese, yogurt, nutella, hot tea or juice. Baylor was skeptical of his yogurt at first, but then declared it the best he'd ever had.
We hit the road and walked south to reach our bike tour meeting point. Once everyone was given a bike and a helmet, we got a quick rule session and then rode off into Rome. We followed an almost identical path as last year: Trajan Baths, Domus Aurea, Colosseum, Circus Maximus, Aventine Hill, Tiberina, Trastavere, Gianiculum Hill, Saint Peter's Square/Vatican, Castel Sant'Angelo, Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Campidoglio, the ancient theater, Colosseum again, and a return to the start. Some good hills and a solid workout all around. We stopped for gelato an hour in, then a quick bite of lunch at the Pantheon. This didn't stop us from a second round of munching and gelato later as well!
After the bike tour, we found a bus back to Piazza Navona and spent an hour or so. Baylor and Sarah Ashleigh purchased paintings, KVogt bought some small pictures, and TSchaff attempted some sketches. Then we moved on to the Trevi Fountain, and then to the Spanish Steps. Sarah Ashleigh was looking like she would barely make it the last leg. After some time at the Steps, we sent the kids on the 175 bus back to Termini where they headed to the hotel. Where did the adults go?!
Penny Collecting
As some may know, Ms Vogt is an avid crushed-penny collector. Before the trip, we mapped out all the penny crushing stations in Rome. During the bike tour, we found her first Rome penny machine at the Pantheon (complete with video!). We found another at Piazza Navona on our second stop. This inspired us to search for other convenient ones! There were two between Trevi and the Steps. Some have repeat prints, but most are unique. Thus far, all have been outside the green-topped newstands. We heard (online) that a machine near the Colosseum had a penny collecting book as well, so with the kids on a direct route home, we found an alternate route to the Colosseum to track it down. We found the machine, but no book nearby (says the grumpy vendor who wouldn't give us change). In fact, there were TWO machines at this location, so we scrounged up some change to make it happen. That late in the day, everyone seems grumpier and reluctant to give change, so it was awkward. Another bus ride back to the main road, then some stair climbing, a race to keep up with a bus stopping ahead that would take us home, and another walk from Termini to the hotel have left us worn out too.
Wesley and Baylor are currently sleeping. Sarah Ashleigh hooked into the wifi to chat with her mom. Barbablu round 2 is up next, followed by who knows what after! Time for me to catch a nap also.
Keep your fingers crossed that our lost luggage appears. I bought a t-shirt today. No Targets or Walmarts around to find socks and underwear- just fancy designer stores in this town!
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