Picture of the Day: Science, religion and naked men under the same roof

Location: Rome, Italy
 
One of the most facinating things that we saw in Rome was a sundial-like thing that was constructed inside a church that use to be a Roman bath.
 
Sundial-like thing = Meridian Line.
Church = Santa Maria delgi Angeli e dei Martiri.
Roman bath = Baths of Diocletian.
 
We spent over an hour analyzing every detail of the sundial. In the end we concluded that it could tell you the approximate day of the year and time of the day. It even had a star chart! It was so cool that J wanted to go back on his birthday just to see where the light fell on the line. Unfortunately, we never made it.

Day 220: The journey home begins

When we began this RTW adventure 8 months ago I couldn't believe that we were actually doing it. It felt so surreal. Likewise, I now can't believe that our journey is coming to an end. Has 8 months really passed by that quickly?

If all goes smoothly we will land in Seattle before the weekend arrives!

Restaurant Alert! Outdoor dining near Piazza Navona

Cul de Sac
Piazza di Pasquino, 73
Rome, Italy
 
Rick Steves finally got one right. This restaurant turned out to be one of our favorite lunch spots. We really enjoyed eating and people-watching in their outdoor patio. Some people may consider their outdoor seating to be quite crowded, but we found it intimate and lively. Not only does Cul de Sac have great food, but you also don't have to pay an arm and a leg for water (0,90 EUR per table). You may think that going back 3 times is a bit repetitive, but we got something different every single time! The lasagna and meatballs were definitely my favorites.
 
1. Cul de Sac gets two thumbs up from M!
2. J enjoying lunch on the patio
3. Pheasant pate
4. Home-made lasagna
5. Pasta with pesto sauce
6. Roast beef with "esterazy" sauce
7. Salted cod with potatoes
8. Tripe Roman style
9. Meatballs in wine sauce with mash potatoes
10. Share plate

Restaurant Alert! Great food near the Spanish Steps

Fiaschetteria
39 Via della Croce
Rome, Italy

Friendly service and great food is what kept us coming back to Fiaschetteria again and again - 3 times in 4 weeks! We first discovered this place by accident while walking to lunch one day. A small line of Italian-speaking patrons formed in front of this unassuming eatery. Although we made a mental note to come by and visit another day the place we were originally headed to for lunch was closed! How convenient! Needless to say, we walked back to this trattoria.

The carbonara pasta was definitely our favorite. J really enjoyed the braised lamb. Unfortuantely, our budget didn't allow us the opportunity to try many side dishes, but we did get a taste of their roasted potatoes which, though expensive, were extremely tasty! The cherry tomatoes they served were the BEST tomatoes I've ever had! This may seem like this is an over-statement, but other diners seem to also agree since I frequently saw bowls of cherry tomatoes sitting on neighboring tables. They seriously tasted like candy!

1. Fiaschetteria's narrow storefront
2. This is the only place in Rome where we were asked to share a table!
3. Tonnerelli alla Carbonara - pasta in an egg-based sauce with bacon
4. Abbacchio alla Cacciatora - suckling lamb braised in an herb, garlice and wine.
5. Carpaccio di Sogliola - sole sashimi dressed with lemon juice, olive oil and fresh parsley.
6. Spaghetti con Tonno - spaghetti with tuna
7. Tagliata di Manza - thin steak with tomatoes on rocket

Best Friends

Three childhood friends, now adults, live their lives in separate corners of a vast country. One lives in the Northeast. One lives in the Northwest. One lives in the South. It's been two years since these three girls last stood in the same room. However, Luck would have it to let them reunite in Rome. =)