We're walking, we're walking...

We walked from dawn until dusk... Okay, not quite, but close to it!

Today started at 9:30 a.m. with a 2.8 mile walk to St. Peter's from our apartment. (Mostly uphill I should add). We made it just in time, even though security - new since CJ was here in '97 - required us to enter through a metal detector. The mass began at 10:30 and was held in Latin. Which, it turns out, is even harder to get a 2 and 4 year old to pay attention to than a normal mass. But, we managed to stay for the entire hour and were even able to venture up front near Bernini's Altar Chair for a few quick prayers.

After the service, we quickly toured the basilica and then headed outside for a further look around. Check out Augustine on CJ's shoulders. After a walk through St. Peter's square, we headed over to Castle Sant'Angelo and then across Ponte Sant'Angelo and into the City. After a stop at Piazza Novano to enjoy some pizza for lunch, CJ and I grabbed a cup of capuccino and relaxed a bit. Then it was off to Piazza del Campidoglio for CJ to do more sketching.

Here the kids enjoyed racing up the steps and running around the statute of Marcus Aurelius. Here you can see Celia and Augustine on the ground in the piazza.

After the visit to Piazza del Campidioglio, we went around the back of the buildings where we got our first glimpse of the Forum. Here is Celia posing in front of the railing. Finally, we walked out of the Capitol area and into the Forum where we passed, among other attractions, the Colosseum, a number of temple ruins, and the Arch of Constantine. Finally, we ran up to the Aventine Hill (passing the Circus Maximus on the way) to get a view of the City at dusk from Santa Sabina and the Piassa dei Cavalieri di Malta. Here's one of the City shots...

What else to say about today... Our walking has been pretty uneventful so far - a good thing. We do get a lot of looks though. Apparently no one has more than one child! And to date we've only seen one other double stroller, so that might explain some of the stares. Or, it could just be us as a couple (Rome is pretty homogenous). Either way, there is certainly curiosity by the Italians. But few comments - other than that they think Augustine's pretty cute. Celia too. Buona notte!