Last day in Rome

[10 March 2004]

We had originally planned to head to Ostia Antica today but since I was feeling somewhat unwell we take a more leisurely approach, sort of our trademark anyway, and stroll the streets of Rome, looking at people and enjoying just being in Italy. We picked a place at random for lunch, a wonderful ristorante called Quirinio and had an absolutely fantastic meal.

About 7:00pm we walked out for the evening  passegiata and strolled down the Via Corso peeking in at a number of shops ending at the top of the Spanish Steps. The evening was cool but clear and we couldn't think of a better way to end our last night in Italy than simply strolling.

At about 8:30 we ended up at l’Angolo Divino, just a block or two off the Campo de’ Fiori, to meet up with Anthony and Jennifer Scanio from New Orleans. This was  one of the highpoints of a truly wonderful trip.  We met online at SlowTrav.com where one can post trip calendars and try to arrange GTG (“get togethers”) with other travelers in the same area. Anyway, we knew that Anthony and Jen, who were scheduled to arrive in Rome today, were heading to the Marches for a month-long language course. What we didn’t know was that that was to be just the beginning of a nearly eight-month sojourn throughout Italy. 

The "get-together" came off without a hitch and after we had introduced ourselves they told us their story. They saved their money quit their jobs in New Orleans (Anthony had been a cook and Jennifer a physical therapist) and moved their belongings to Jennifer’s family home in Illinois. After which they packed two large backpacks and headed off for Italy. Aside from the language program they had arranged for lodging in numerous places (Rome, Sorrento, Ostuni) through the summer but were going to “wing it” after that. 

The four of chatted swapped stories about Italy (mostly us I suppose). for dinner Susie and I each had a light meal a selection of French cheeses for her and for me a small broccoli & potato gratin along with a Merlot-Cabernet blend from the Veneto. 

What a grand way to spend our last night in Italy.