another day, another 5 mile hike !

Maybe more than 5 miles...we visited the Galleria Borghese today, one of the world's greatest small museums.  In a 17th century frescoed villa in the midst of a huge park you can find some of the best works of Bernini, Caravaggio and countless others.

The Bernini sculptures are amazing...he was only 23 when he did many of the works, and they are truly masterpieces. (from the 1600s)...we were overwhelmed...

We walked from the Gallery to the Spanish Steps, had a meal at a cute outdoor cafe, and walked some more...and some more...and...well, you get the idea !  Every corner you turn is worth another photo; behind every door is a masterpiece just waiting to be seen...what a city !

While we were waiting to enter the museum Borghese, we sat next to a priest from California...Father Luke is teaching theology in Rome, has friends from Buffalo (who probably shop at Johnny's Meats...),  was very interesting, and blessed us when we left, so we knew it would be a good day !  He had a million stories about the new Pope and how wonderful he'll be for the Church...we got the inside scoop...we later found out he's written several books, including "The Idiot's Guide to World religions"...what a riot...(since we are idiots !)

I needed some Advil for my aching bones, so we stopped at a farmacia (pharmacy...), and I got to help a needy American college kid who was trying to buy cough drops.  He kept asking the pharmacist for Ricola or Halls...which made no sense to the poor man.  I was able to tell him what the kid wanted (by coughing and holding my throat...so much for my Italian language skills...), and we all had a laugh.  I just happened to have a few Halls in my purse for the kid, and the pharmacy had Ibuprofen for me (not sold in grocery stores here...), so all ended well...

Hugs to all, Chris and her "what else do you have in that purse?" husband

the Villa Borghese...a art lover's paradise !

entrance to the vast Borghese gardens...

from the top of the Spanish steps (St. Peter's in the background...)

from the bottom of the Steps...

coming down the steps...

part of Rome's ancient wall...

Cheers to you !!

Cheers to you, too !!