Last nite after we posted, we took a stroll around the Colosseum. During the day, it is big...but at nite, it's REALLY big! Took several pics but still unable to upload yet.

Today we started our day with a call for breakfast. Our host, arrived about 15 minutes later asking us "What time you get up!? 5:00!?" Apparently she doesn't have country girls stay too often that are early risers! We ventured out and visited a church St. Peter in Chains. Of course, this church was up a flight of very steep, slanted stairs. But we saw the chains that bound St. Peter during his imprisonment in a glass case at the altar.

After the Chain Church, we walked the Roman Forum in true Roman fashion on the same roads that Julius Caesar walked! We visited the Temple of the Vestal Virgins who were the keepers of the fire that continously burned. Story has it, if the flame ever went out, Rome would fall. (Guess that one blew out!)

We visited a cistern type of prison that held a couple of apostles. The prisoners were lowered through a hole in the floor to a very dark and dank cellar. History states that the water rose and thus the prisioners baptised their prison guards who later became matryrs.

We took the Metro to the Piazza del Popolo for some "bargain" shopping. Bargains here still involve designer names! But smartArkies that we are, bought dresses from a street vendor for 6 euros each!! Think TJMaxx European style!

With the shopping behind us, we found our way back to familiar territory and visited the Capitale Museo where we saw very large feet, hands, elbow, shin, knee and a head. Pictures later!!

To top the evening off, let's discuss our adventure with the Roman bus system. We went to the Pantheon to have dinner and absorb the atmosphere. Made it there with no problems. (if fact, we stumbled onto a feline paradise pit where cats abound playing among an excavation site of ruins! Sign indicated that all cats were sterlized, tested, and vacinated, but lived on charity of visitors. There had to be at least 100 cats roaming the ruins! Every shape, color and personality. ) Back to the story, we ate supersized tonight. First course, pasta of course! Second course, roasted chicken breast with potatoes, topped off with wine and frothy coffee. Ambience was free and wonderful. Fountain splashing, Pantheon aglow with spotlights. Candle onthe table. Diva child at the next table!! No more comments on that!

So we are trucking back to the bus stop and Linda breaks into a run squealling. I thought she was chasing down this old woman in front of her! But no, she saw our bus ready to pull out. Without looking, we pile on. Bus takes off and goes about 5 blocks and parks. We have determined it was a mandatory union lunch break! After about 15 minutes, the driver gets back on and off we go in the opposite direction. Had no clue where we were going and when we were gettting back. (Linda says she was not worried or stressed. She was just enjoying the adventure. I saw a repeat of our Paris bus trip and the driver pulling over and yelling FINI! Which meant at that time he was going home.) But we made it back without further ado.

NOTE: We have determined that after our second day of high number of steps, (19,301 today) we both deserve double checkpoints on the Fitness Challenge! (A bit of trivia, 2000 steps equal 1 mile!)

In the morning, we are headed to Sorrento by train. We only have a ticket as far as Naples. Hoping to figure out the rest of the story once we arrive in Naples..EEK! (But Linda is not stressed or concerned! HAHA!)