Tonight a walking tour that took me around the area of the Pantheon. I visited during the day but to see the city at night and the Basilica at night was another experience all together. Our tour guide arranged by the school was Sylvia a beautiful Italian lady with an understated classy and fashionable style I admired. She was a wealth of information about the days of the Roman Spas and the changes that occurred as the times changed. She shared many historical and architectural facts that Im sure were fascinating, but as my Italian is only 3 days old I didn't understand much as the tour was given only in Italian as is everything we do with the school so as to be immersed. Once I let my brain go, I was amazed at how much I understood. I will post pictures of the night time scenery. I had a beautiful walk home tonight did I mention my school is 3 miles from my apartment... So, I took photos and negotiated the better lit streets and arrived burning off at least one bite of the Tiramisu I had tonight. I actually held off 5 days before I had it and it was fantastic! A simple steak and caprese tonight. Last night I joined the school for a student's outing at a nearby restaurant. About 14 students and 2 teachers went to a local place. We spoke mostly Italian. I'm pretty sure I've developed a new sign language complete with sound effects. We dined on Pasta Amatricana (tomatoes and ham), Pasta with a roman cheese and black pepper, pizza margarita, veal saltimbocca which means jump in the mouth salti is a form of jump and bocca is mouth, I can attest it did jump in the mouth and would have continued to had it not been for the next offering of a sliced beef in a sauce of its own braising liquid. Then off to a bar where we were offered bread with various toppings as well as potato chips and nuts. I enjoyed a taxi ride home to my neighborhood which is not on the Rome map. So my driver went thru frustration with my terrible Italian, encouragement when we found the address on GPS and great humor at my expense assisting me with my comments and questions during the ride. I assured him that next time I would "have" more Italian. I thanked him a million for the fact that he got me home and I didn't have to walk 3 miles -up hill by the way- after filling myself full of food and after logging at least 11 miles a day for the past 4 days. A lot for a former couch potato and desk worker. He bid me a good evening and a happy journey with a smile and was still smiling as I looked back for one more thankful glance. Home , and interesting concept for me these days.
