We took the Metro there and saw the photo mugging gladiators out front that our guidebooks had warned us about. But everyone we saw with them seemed so happy. We got the Forum mid morning and it was actually sunny so that helped in the photo department. It was crowded but not too annoying. We really liked it and lingered long time there.

We then walked to the adjacent Palatine Hill. Which was great as well but we were starting to get pretty hot and thirsty.



Circus Maximus


Vatican view


What I really liked about Palatine Hill was the lack of people. It was very chill and had incredible views. We wish we had water on us so we could stay longer.

Now we had to figure out where we would go to get some refreshments. We somehow made it to the Largo Argentina area since we knew it was a transit hub. After a few false starts, we ducked into a very old school looking coffee bar called Rotilio Mauro Angelo.



We had a very rejuvenating coffee, freshly squeezed oj, and gelato. Mine was DiSaronno flavored and was the best gelato I had in all of Italy. After we were human again we went back to exploring and found a Sicilian gelato and cookie place called Ciuri Ciuri. Since we just had gelato we just had some cookies which were very good and we made a note to come back there.

We then stumbled upon the Pantheon.



We then decided we would try for the bus again to another record store. Did walk by this which I loved. A fountain that says Rome with books and an animal head.



Our record store was over by the Termini train station. I think we actually went to 2 over there. We were going to go to an Ethiopian place near there but needed a little snack. We found this restaurant (Caffe' Giuliano, apparently a tourist trap) by the train station that was pretty incredible, it had a coffee bar in the front so Ken got a espresso and we got tiny sandwiches. It was the perfect amount of food. We need this in America. One had like  a single sun dried tomato and a piece of cheese, another was like spinach and cheese. Totally perfect.



We then went and had Ethiopian at Ristorante Africa. Now I love Ethiopian and figured it was pretty close to Italy so was hoping for something mind blowing but it was just fine. Though we had an okra dish that was amazing. We also thought we'd be sick of eating Italian food this far into our trip but we weren't.

We then went of to look at the Trevi Fountain at night and it was quite nice.



We knew that the Spanish Steps wasn't far but got a little lost walking there, which was fine because we went to look in some church and saw more street life.



We had watched a movie recently where the person lived near the Spanish Steps so it was neat to see.

And then we stumbled back home after a long day.

Way more photos here.