Water Flowing...

7/19 Water, that most fundamental of human needs, has always occupied a central role in Rome, from the mock sea battles played out in the ancient flooded Colosseum, to the water falls, fixtures and pools of Nero's palace, to the aquaducts, Roman baths, and fountains scattered throughout the city.

Today began with a return to the Colosseum where we wandered the internal structure and its bloody history. Lunch and a short Metro ride later, we began our second walking tour of Rome beginning at the Porta del Populo - the original gateway into the city with its ancient obelisk celebrating Augustus' victory over the Egyptians and its accompanying sphinx-fed fountain pools. From there we made our way to Augustus' mausoleum beside the Tiber River, and onward to the Barcaccia baroque fountain and up the Spanish steps to watch the sun set. Next we worked our way to 'the most beautiful fountain in Rome' - The Fontana di Trevi, into whose waters we tossed the requisite coins over our shoulders to the accompaniment of 'Three coins in the fountain' - only after making our personal wishes of course...

As we began the walk homeward, we stopped in a small Ristorante for dinner just as a light rain began to wash the dust and heat off the city. By the time we were finished dining, so was the rain, and so, after a bit more walking, was our second day...