Friday Afternoon - St. Peters, Spanish Steps and Helpful Taxi Drivers

Around 2pm, Gracie finally woke up, had poached eggs and grapes and off we went to find Matthew's hotel, by the way of Vatican City. We left the stroller in the apartment, headed over the bridge to Castle San Angelo, turned right and there was the Vatican. Wow. It was a I can't believe we are here. It is so impressive and it is all set up for the canonization this Sunday. We strolled through St. Peters, then realizing I forgot my map but had jotted down street names, after walking with Gracie in arms, or in back pack, finally found Matthew's hotel (Amalia), using the only word in Italian I know "Do' ve" (where) and Grazie tante (Thanks alot) we then had lunch at a little cafe next door. Matthews room is about the size of my bathroom at home. It is indeed the smallest room I have ever seen, but very neat and a great location and view. Plus it has a an elevator probably used by Julius Caesar, it is so very old. Matthew had to do some errands near the Spanish steps so we headed out to find a taxi, and found ourselves back at St. Peters square. It was late afternoon, saw the lines were non-existent to get into the basilica and decided to go in, but David was carrying a small pocketknife, so Gracie and I decided to stay back and play near the Historic Fountain near the Egyptian Obliesk; while we waited a nun came over and asked if Gracie was Italian and her name, at least that's what I think she said. Anyway, we turned around and there was Matthew and David. David had been turned away this time because of a cigar cutter he carried. So we grabbed a cab and Matthew spoke to the driver in Italian, who was so charmed at Matthews Italian, cut the quoted rate to 15 Euro. We were dropped off at via Conditti and walked the most famous shopping road to Spanish steps where we joined the international hordes and did what one does in Rome, we sat on the Spanish steps. Nice view. We then headed off to Matthew's destination, Basilico S. Andrea della Fratte. David and I either walked carrying Gracie or once in a while she was put in the backpack. We then hailed a cab, and once again, Matthew charmed the cab driver who gave him helpful grammatical tips but also pulled out a map to find our little alley (Vicolo della Campellena). Gracie fell asleep in the cab so we carried her up the 4 flights of stairs and now she is asleep in her little bed. Did I mention it is around 7:30 pm? We may be in for a long night (again). We didn't make it to Campo Fiori or Piazza Navona, which is very close by, but I did catch of glimpse of another place I want to eat Cul De Sac, and we did drive by Piazza Navona. Matthew and David are down looking for some take-out to eat here and I'm sitting on the balcony having a beer.

BTW, the weather is much warmer than I expected. There are some Americans, but there are alot of Germans and scandinavians here as well.