Crypts, Circuses, and Expensive Dinners - Saturday 6/4

Waking in denial, no one wanted to admit that Saturday was our last day in Rome. However, our morning activities proved exciting for the group we’d gone out with, heading towards a small church off the Piazza Barberini. Though the normal church was beautiful, as pictured below, the real treasure was the crypt. Morbidly beautiful, we were all awed and felt almost guilty for loving such a dark arrangement. Though we were not allowed to take photos, many come up on Google if you’re interested in seeing spine circles and boney chandeliers. (Most of what I have to say can be seen in my fifth and last visit entry.)

After our visit, we loitered around in some of the shops near the Trevi Fountain, not far from the church. Not many things were open yet, but we found a charming leather store, many of us dying to purchase some authentic Italian leather from the sweet old man in the store, who made everything present, his tools and shop in the very back of the store. I watched him engrave a few wallets for Shannon and Alissa, putting his tools together. I longed to take pictures, but didn’t know how he’d feel – so a shot of the storefront will suffice. I myself bought a small multi-colored purse, for the larger ones were not cheap.

Heading back to St. Johns, we grabbed lunch and rested for a bit, waiting for the rest of our lot to wake up. Once people were gathered, we met with some others in the lounge and set out for the Circus Maximus, a site we had meant to see long ago but hadn’t had the chance.

Arriving in the barren park, it was hot, sunny, and sweltering, but we walked along its Roman lengths, posing and playing, even racing partway around. Though it seemed a long way to go for a field, it was a very awesome old field.

Not before long, we departed, separating from a few others who needed to visit one last church. Heading back to St. Johns, we picked up a few shoppers before going down to Trastevere to shop. Unfortunately, the late busses left us with little time, but I succeeded in finding cute earrings while Shannon bought more jewelry for her and her friends, and Alissa and Katie found dresses for our farewell dinner that night. On the way back to the bus, as if meant to be, I spotted the globe-patterned purse I had been lusting after, only second to the Colosseum ring I had bought the day before. Bargaining it off a purse seller on the bridge, my two main purchase goals finally succeeded.

On behalf of my suggestion, farewell dinner took place at Tre Scalini, where I had eaten dinner years ago with my parents and friend Katie on spring break. For our last dinner, I braved heels for the first time in two weeks, managing the bus, and cobblestones. Ordering delicious meals, I had a fantastic Roman fettuccini Alfredo, and probably the best tiramisu ever. Though our bill was much higher than expected, we all seemed quite satisfied at the end (maybe minus Nicole and her run-ins with the waiter).

After dinner when the rain began to sprinkle, several headed off to get last minute drinks at the bar, while a small group walked back to school. Glad to be cooled off in the rain, I broke out the flip-flops and walked back to campus. On our way back, taking Dan’s suggestion, we walked over to St. Peter’s. Though the square was closed for the night, the emptiness was refreshing and peaceful from the bustling sight of it at day. All lit up, lights reflecting on the damp stone, it was the perfect, lovely note to end the trip on.