Leaving Parco di Villa Paganini, I headed for Villa Albani. Along the way I happened across a motorcycle shop; since I needed some riding clothes for later, I had a look, and thought about buying. But decided I'd wait until I reached Milan - at a minimum, it would save carrying it!
A view along Viale Regina showing where Romans put their motorscooters and motorcycles. Well, there are a lot of them, and they have to stop somewhere, sometime!
Same street, other end of the block. The two wheeled parking extended completely along this block, and the next, and the next... Indeed, they were squeezed into any space they would fit without too much blocking of others.
I reached Villa Albani, but the entrances were all blocked off, and it looked somewhat uncared for, so I just walked around the walls.
This is in the street north of Villa Albani (top on the map). Note that both the black car (on right, middle of road) and the (apparently approaching) silver car, are parked! In the middle of the road! I don't know if they were locked.
A rather nicely redecorated apartment building, dating from 1914. One of the fascinating characteristics I find about Rome is how the (outside) of buildings is allowed to detiorate until it looks quite run down, then it is refurbished and something delightful comes forth, as in this example. I gather this does not apply to the inside.
From here it was a case of heading back to the hotel. This photo shows part of the Roman walls at Piazza Fiume. The size of those walls is amazing, even by today's standards, being 4 or 5 stories high!
These views are of a war memorial on Piazzale Porta Pia, which appears to be a major entry point for traffic through the Roman walls. I'm quite taken by the soldier's helmet!
The Porta Pia showing the road entering the city. I didn't really understand this structure until I came across this web site explaining the history. It was a gate in Roman times, but this particular structure was designed by Michelangelo, and is unusual because it's monumental side is inside rather than the traditional outside. This was designed to celebrate the straight road which Pope Pius IV built linking the Quirinal with this gate. The road was named Strada Pia, after the pope! And here's a detailed view of the mosaic on the far wall.
From here it was just continue back to the hotel. And after some of the regular traveller's chores, and some administrative things (organising the family reunion, how Keir and Nat would get in from the airport etc.) and another snooze, the day had cooled off somewhat, so I went exploring the streets east of the hotel, especially the blocks east of Via Tiburtina. Alas, nothing too spectacular, just typical Roman streets! And I did find and check out a couple of motorcycle stores.
And it was approaching dinner time. Last night's restaurant is closed on Wednesday nights, but there are quite a few other restaurants nearby, so it was a case of perusing them to find the one to use. Finally settled on a footpath pizza restaurant, and had a very nice pizza. Some language difficulties, but I managed to communicate what I wanted, and they managed to let me know how much the bill was (this seemed to cause far more trouble than I would have expected!). And, of course, being outdoors offered good opportunity to watch Romans in their somewhat native state, as this area is a little off the beaten tourist path, which I appreciated.
Morning Walk
Italy In July