January 25, 2014

We set off for Pantheon today.  That's the church that is circular.   At the top of its domed roof there is a hole about 15-20 feet in diameter.  Jack wanted to see it because if was featured in The Di Vinci Code.

Wonder what keeps rain & snow out?

An easy walk and it was spectacular.  A cool thing about the Pantheon is this:  The last king and queen of Italy are buried in there.   A guard bearing the Italian flag marks their presence.  Kind of like the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  The guard and other associated patriots wear dark blue capes emblazoned with the Italian king's insignia.

Guarding the tomb

Jack tells me there is a small faction that maintains this and still supports a monarchy.  It really pisses off the current government.  <smirk>

Outside the Pantheon there's a huge square featuring a very cool fountain.  A musician was playing blues.  The sun was shining.  On to Trevi Fountains.  I was told that I shouldn't miss them.  Another easy walk.

The Fountains at Bellagio, Las Vegas are prettier.

Plus, they dance to music.

 I just didn't see the attraction in Trevi although about 3,000 other people crowded into that small fountain area may disagree.  It may be because of the lore:  you throw a coin in Trevi and it's guaranteed you'll return to Italy.  Spotty logic, but we complied.

Here are the purchases we made today:

• Handmade silk pocket squares and silk scarves from a local vendor;
• A really cool cashmere driving cap for Jack;
• A cashmere toboggan for my bald-headed supervisor, Allen.  So he won't get brain freeze.
• A beautiful wood corkscrew in its own beautiful wood box.  Just because it was so pretty.

That's the thing.  Everywhere you  go in Italy, it's so pretty it hurts your eyes.  We ate breakfast in a  place this morning that was across the street from a building - now, it's an ordinary building, perhaps apartments above and ordinary stores below - that had the most amazing door fresco working for it.  The fresco was two guys on either side that morphed into a lion.  It would be cool just to live there.  Just for the front door.

Fresco guys

Cool, huh?