…do as the Romans do.  Well, at least that’s how the saying goes.  I had done that with my mom for five days in past travels, and Bruce opted not to do the Rome post-extension of our base trip.  We both had decided we preferred to use our travel budget in other ways.  So, our last full day in Italy was spent in Rome, before flying out the following morning.

(For all pictures, click on the image to see full screen view.)

Our day in Rome began with a walking tour in the Trastevere district, conducted by a local guide.  The timing was just right to be at Gianicolo Hill.  Our guide was friends with the military officer in charge of firing off the noon cannon that day, so we were invited down to meet him and have a closer look.

Prior to December 1, 1847, the sound of numerous Roman tower bells would sound at noon.  The thing is, “noon” meant something slightly different to each bell ringer.  The ringing would go on and on.  That was until Pope PIO IX decided it was time to coordinate the official time by replacing the bell ringing with a single gunshot, fired from Castel Sant’Angelo.

This traditional gunshot was kept there throughout the period of Italy reunification, until 1903.  It was then transferred for a few months to the slopes of Monte Mario, and then finally to Gianicolo Hill.  It is currently shot off by a 105/22 howitzer model 14/61 nicknamed “the monster.”  It sounded like a monster; the shot was loud!

We continued walking through the quaint cobbled streets of the Trastevere district before ending our tour at Tonnarello for lunch.  The place was bustling, but somehow, they cranked out delicious pasta and dessert.

After moving on to our hotel and settling in, Ben led us through the busy streets of Rome to see the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain, before turning us loose on our own until our farewell dinner. 

Being in Rome brought back memories for me—especially since I had run into people I knew when I was there last time, walking with my Mom from the Trevi Fountain to the Spanish Steps. 

At the time, in 1998, I had been working at the University Club, in San Diego; and, one of the former mayors of the city, Roger Hedgecock, was a member I had served at the club.  At the time, he was a radio talk show host, and had led a tour to Italy.  When I saw him in Rome, he was talking with his group on a very crowded piazza.  I went up to say hello, and I heard a voice from the back of the group say excitedly, “I know you!  You serve us at the University Club!”  It was Dr. Vance and his wife, two of my regulars at the club!  Imagine, late in the afternoon, in a VERY crowded European city, running into somebody you knew from the United States.  What were the chances?  The story ended up in a newspaper column in the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Our wonderful Italian adventure concluded with most of our group joining together on the rooftop of our hotel for a final drink and to reminisce about our times together.  It was difficult saying goodbye to our tour leader, Ben, the following day; we had bonded with our new Italian friend.

Less that three weeks after returning home, we took off again—this time with Road Scholar for a tour of the Grand Circle of National Parks in Utah.  Stay tuned; I will start posting those pictures in the coming days.

Note: If small group travel is of interest to you, I highly recommend Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT). Although Bruce and I travel together, they do not charge a single supplement for those who travel on their own. Singles also get their own room at hotels. If you book, you can get $100 off your trip by providing my name and customer number (Elaine Krugman, #3018126) as the person who referred you. I will also get $100 off future travel– a win-win!