Ostia, a Walk at Night, and a Day of Rest

Friday brought another trip out of the city. This set of ruins, probably my favorite that Ive seen so far, is called Ostia Antica. It was the port city of Rome until the fall of the city and at its height about 100,000 people called it home. Unlike the other sites that we have visited, Ostia still has parts of the city that are reasonably intact. Buildings reaching two stories, depictions of statues scattered throughout and recognizable interiors to some rooms made it so much easier to picture the lives that once walked the streets. Now the city is filled with absolutely beautiful patterned brickwork and wild red poppies that have sprung up at every turn.

After a train ride back into the city and a short nap, the evening was calling for some activity. With camera ready, I met Corinne and Scarlett for a jaunt around the city to take in the night life. The night began with a break dancing show in Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere. One of the things that I love so much about this city are the random and amazing things that are hidden within. Walking around is like a game of hide and seek with these little bits of entertainment popping up when you turn the corner. Our personal walking tour also included a trip to Campo Dei Fiori, Piazza Navona, a side detour to my piazza- Piazza Del Fico, and ending the night with a gelato stop by the Pantheon.

I have a personal goal for the summer to take full advantage of the number of amazing churches here by attending a mass or service at a different church every Sunday. Last Sunday it was a church in Ravello and this morning brought me to Santa Maria in Trastevere on time for 10 o'clock mass. The church is absolutely beautiful on the inside with the baldiccino in the front and the amazing gold mosaics covering the inside of the front dome. There is a lot of history with this church on the site of the first legal Christian church. It is interesting to see this history pulled through to today's world in the services. Its all very formal and proper. The churches in general here feel more to me life museums with the tombs and works of art by hugely famous people like Caravaggio and Michelangelo.