Said Hi to Saint Pete

Saturday (12/1), first thing we went to the market. We had our list and were not disappointed. We bought vegetables, lamb chops and veal. We are looking forward to cooking. After the market we went to Panella (the bakery we went to yesterday with all of the gorgeous window items) and picked up some pastries for dessert. After dropping off the groceries and Parilla, we headed out.

We took the subway for the first time. The subway was very clean and modern and did not strike fear in me like so many of the things I had read about it said it would. We got off along with almost everyone else on the subway at St. Peters. We came into the Square from the side, but it is impressive from any angle. After taking pictures and examining the exterior we then got in line to go inside, which luckily had gone down quite a bit and moved very quickly. It is hard to describe how spectacular it is. We were both expecting it to be like our experience at the Sistine Chapel which was not very peaceful and terribly over crowded but we were pleasantly surprised. People were quite and respected the environs. We are glad we waited in line. When we exited we walked down the Via della Conciliazione which is the street leading into the square. This is worth the walk as the view is great.

Next we walked by Castel Sant’ Angelo and over the Tiber. We made our way to the Spanish steps. We then grabbed some pizza a taglio (take away) wandered some more. Our last major stop for the day was Santa Maria Della Concezione. This was originally a Capuchin convent which is famous for its cemetery. The walls and ceilings of the 5 chapels are decorated with skeletons and loose bones of about 4,000 capuchin monks who died between 1528 and 1870. It is a very odd sight.

For dinner Aaron cooked a great meal, Costolette d’Agnello alla Calabrese (Lamb chops calabria style with tomatoes, peppers and olives). Another great Italian meal in Italy.