Round-the-World Holiday, June 23 - July 28, 2003

The church of Santi Cosma e Damiano, which is probably a converted temple.

This pile of bricks was once a monument known as the Umbilicus Urbis Romae. That means "Navel of the City of Rome". Yep, it's Rome's belly button, and it marked the very center of the city.

This little building is where Caesar's body was brought to be burned, thus this is where Marc Antony gave his famous speech (at least in Shakespeare's version). Here's Snookums striking a passionate oratorical pose.

These are the remains of the temple of the Vestal Virgins, who were charged with keeping the sacred flame of Rome alive. They served for thirty years and undertook a vow of chastity. (Those who broke the vow were buried alive!) Here's me as a Vestal.

We ended up with an extra day in Rome so we headed back to the Villa Borghese and rented the silliest bike EVER. Two people sit side-by-side and pedal while one steers. We thought it would be fun til we realized it had no gears and the Villa is pretty much all hills.

Yeah, we were dying!

Ahh, now this is a much nicer way to travel. We rented a row boat and had a paddle around this little lake. (And check it out! The Snook's actually smiling in a picture!)

My turn!