Today we hopped the subway to go to San Giovanni Latern Basilica. Oh my goodness! This is the oldest Church in Rome and the ‘Mother Church’ of Rome. Remember, St. Peter’s isn’t in Rome…its in Vatican City, the smallest country in the world. It is beautiful. All along the side aisles are chapels, many you can go into to pray or attend Mass. The beams holding up the side aisles have huge angel heads at the base on each side…and all the faces of these fat little angels are different. Down the center aisle are huge niches with huge statues of the 12 Apostles in each one. The altar is magnificent. Under the altar is a grotto that has a statue of St. John the Baptist for whom the church is named. I had never been to this church and it was a delight and well worth the trip. Read more about it on Google and see pictures of the church’s interior.
After the church, we went to Coin…a Macy’s type department store. We went to the housewares department and found a kitchen rug and big white candles…all 50% off! You know how I love a half-price sale! Went to pay for said items and in this country all you need is money and patience and lots of both! We stood in line while the clerk rang up and then carefully wrapped and taped up every item before bagging it. Then she was interrupted by a woman wanting to measure a tablecloth. All attention went to that, although there was a long line of trying to pay customers and the tablecloth lady had butted in line. At about this time in the States, I would have said loudly enough to be heard in 6 counties, “Could we please get another checker over here?” But since I don’t know how to say that in Italian, and I don’t ever want to be the Ugly American..I kept my mouth shut.
Then we met Simona, Vladimir and their baby Maja and went to lunch. Simona is the lady whom Evan dated when we were here going to school in 1996. She is drop dead gorgeous and just as beautiful inside. Every time I have come to Rome, she has always made the effort to come to see me if only for a cup of coffee or a gelato. She lives in a town at least an hour north of Rome and has had to fight traffic both ways. I have always thought that was a very sweet thing for her to do and always appreciated her. Their little girl is 20 months and as cute as she can be. She likes to clean things. After her meal, she got her napping and went around cleaning chair seats and the glass doors to the restaurant. We had a lovely lunch and then they drove us home. We are getting together soon again for a pizza.
Came home and fixed hamburgers for dinner, lighted our new candles, put down our new kitchen rug and now getting ready for bed.
Buona Notte…good night.