17 miles today. A longer one. Our total to date is 251 miles since Lucca.

Yesterday was backwoods and waterfalls,

Today ended with busy streets and noisy traffic.

Yesterday we were traveling through towns right out of the 40’s and 50’s,

(Do you remember gas stations with the pumps right alongside the main road? I do … Centerville)

Today, everyone is driving with a cell phone in one hand and the wheel in the other … just like home!

Tomorrow, we will see the splendor of Rome. This is the first glimpse we had of the Roman metropolis, from 20 miles away!

Time to recover from today’s hike and prepare for the final walk, tomorrow.

Ciao

Today was 11 miles. Our final total for the Via Francigena is 261 miles. No more to add, this trip.

Today was certainly a mix of quiet trails

and very busy metropolitan streets. While a shot or two of these busy streets might help to give you a sense of what it’s like, I simply couldn’t do it.

In large cities, there are (at any given time) dozens of paths the Camino could take; alleys, side streets, shoulders, main streets, etc. Street names may or may not exist and trail signs may or may not exist. What does exist is a cacophony of signs, stickers, etc., overloading your senses.

Your job is to find the right path and/or markings while not being hit by other pedestrians, cars, buses, etc. Also, to not fall into potholes, trip on curbs, tree roots, and more.

Eventually, you are taken to a city park trail and see this.

And, with a bit more in-city walking, you see this:

The Piazza San Pietro! We’ve arrived!

More to come in the next few days as we explore this city and recover a bit.

While the were no official miles walked, we’ve recorded about 11 miles on foot between a morning run and miles of exploring!

Beauty, the Art: We had the chance to tour the Vatican Museums and the Sistene chapel today. We are officially out of superlatives to describe the beauty. Every artist of repute during the Italian Renaissance is represented there… and with their best works. We could not absorb what we saw.

As a feeble attempt, we offer one fresco by Rafael. It is in a former Pope’s library and shows the different intellectual studies required, philosophy, natural sciences, etc. … along with the famous thought- leaders of those studies. What is most interesting about this fresco was that Rafael had permission to include himself in the painting AND Michelangelo. Like “where’s Waldo”, the trick is to find them. Bonus points if you do find them and comment back to this blog!

Beauty, People: Later last night, we went for a walk to and through St. Peter’s plaza. Most of the tourists had gone. The only ones remaining were the homeless, who were laying down their bedding in the shadows and alcoves around the square for their night’s sleep. We recalled that the current Pope, Francis, has a reputation for sneaking out late at night and bringing food, water and conversation to these, the least of us. The thought was moving to us.

So, this morning, we were walking to the store and talking about what we might be able to do. Ahead of us were two nuns strolling along. Next thing you notice, they disappeared. On looking, we noticed that they stopped to care for a homeless man, with conversation, care and a bit of food. I took a photo and have debated whether to post or not. I don’t wish to intrude, but it speaks of a remarkable beauty. That man, and each of us, uniquely matter. We are all made in God’s image and that makes us special, indeed. Even the least of us.

Each of you matter, also. God bless you. Bill and Diane.

Second day in Rome as tourists. Lots of miles walked/ ran. They don’t count.

Today was a day for seeing the sights, including the Colosseum. What an extraordinary achievement for 2,000 years ago.

It seated 50,000 and they even had (sort of) a retracting ceiling. Not so keen about their shows, though …

One of the things you notice about European cities is the prevalence of small cars. Rome seems to be the epicenter of this phenomenon, with small Fiats and Smart cars everywhere. In fact, one of four cars around here is a Smart car.

But … what happens when a parking spot is too small, even for a Smart car?  Well, you just back in!

We saw this technique about every fifth or so parked car. Pretty efficient use of  space!

When in Rome: In France, and in Italy, we noted that it is rare for people to pick up their pizza by hand to eat. They usually cut it into bite- sized bits and eat it with a fork and knife.

Last night, as we were eating our pizzas ,

We noticed others around us, cutting slices, then folding them in half, and … eating them with their hands!

We had no choice but to eat with our hands, because … when in Rome, do as the Romans do!

Enjoy! Ciao!

Just a quick wrap up of things seen on our Sunday tour day around Rome. There’sTrevi fountain:

There’s the Pantheon;

And then there’s St. Peter’s Basilica. No words to describe it!

We’ve been in scores of cathedrals in Spain, France and Italy.  They are all beautiful. This one,  St. Peter’s, is on it’s own. Breathtaking!

Here’s a sculpture that Michelangelo did, in his 20’s, that is found in the basilica. Again, amazing!

We are approaching Milan on or train trip. That’s all for now.