when in rome...

After a lengthy visit to the Colliseum, the Parthenon, and a stroll through the Forum...three of us took off with Dr. Carey toward our temporary home...Hotel Emmaus. I think we lost our way someplace in the ruins of the Forum, but none if us were too concerned...and continued walking and navigating and finally deciding that a beer or glass of wine would help us on our way. We stopped at a cafe and grabbed a table outside. (Dr Caputo warned us about sitting at tables --especially inside tables where the prices are much higher...someone else remarked today that paper tablecloths mean cheaper food.) We sat for an hour or more eating peanuts and drinking our beverages. The conversation wandered from job issues to lectio divina to online class issues. It was a memorable and helpful time of special interpersonal engagement.

I enjoy a glass of wine in the evening....usually after 8.  We do things a little differently in Italy. Wine seems to happen at least twice a day. Once in the afternoon and maybe again when we are venturing in the evening. Last night about nine of us went to the Spanish Steps. On the way we walk through the narrow streets dodging the taxis. Two of us in the group had gone to the site the day before, but it seemed a good thing to go with Dr. Caputo and learn from his walking commentary as we travel. We took the underground Metro for one euro. When we began our walk from the station,  we encountered a commotion in a high end dress shop. We heard screams and joined a couple of dozen people watching inside the store as the clerks were chasing a large rat into the street. A number of onlookers proceeded to chase the rodent down the street..kicking and poking it with sticks.  I did not watch to see his end.

After dinner we shared the cab fare home. Looking forward to a bus ride to Florence tomorrow...