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Another start to school. It was hard to readjust the brain back to school thinking. For lunch we went back to the yummy Sicilian place and ate at our flat. I was able to Skype mom before we moved on to our next tour. Baroque Rome. I had heard a lot about the Trevi Fountains, but really didn't know that much. First of all Baroque is characterized by movement and action. Bernini is a very popular artist from this period. Boromini was another popular artist. Throughout the tour we heard stories of how they tried to outdo each other. On this tour we saw many fountains. These fountains were gifts to the people of Rome from popes, rulers, and other important figures. All these were able to be done because of the Roman aqueducts. These pipes brought water to the people. We were able to sneak a peek at the last remaining part of the aqueducts. Then it was on to the fountains. We came to them from the side. We stopped in front of a store for Alessandra to tell us a little before we explored. The owner of the store came out and nicely asked us to move to the side since we were blocking his store. So we moved. Then the guy, whose store sold leather good, asked us "Americans risk their lives to fly thousands of miles to come to Italy. Why do they always ask for a coin purse?" It was pretty funny. Actually I think it is because with Euros, coins are important. 1 euro and 2 euro coins. In America we just throw the coins in the bottom of our purses. Anyway, this guy fit in perfectly with the story. While this amazing Trevi Fountain was being built, there was a barber who kept complaining about how large and ugly and noisy and...the fountains were. So the architect put a large rock shaped like a vase right by the shop to block the view of the fountains. Too funny! We were then allowed to wander around these picturesque fountains that were built right into the side of a house. There is a tradition of tossing coins into the fountain. 1 coin to return to Rome, 2 coins to get married, 3 coins to get divorced. Needless to say, I threw 2 coins (and so did Jeremy). There were so many people at this place. But I was so impressed with them. First of all the size was just breathtaking. These were some massive fountains and statues. Second, they were so beautiful. The movement of the water, the statues. It all just was beautiful. Floyd came out for the fountains. We really didn't spend a ton of time at the fountains. So we moved on to get getlato before continuing on with the tour. This place had so many flavors. It was so hard to decide. But the most entertaining part was while we were eating. The place was packed so we ate outside. We ended up standing in front of a jewelry store. Well this owner was not as nice as the other one. This guy came out and very rudely told us to move, so we did. Then another man who was eating gelato started looking at the window. The owner and he got into a yelling match (all in Italian)! Kinda entertaining since it wasn't us. Then Max cam out to stand by us. We had warned him not to stand too close to the store. Well, he got yelled at as well. I have never seen Max get that mad before. Later on we were talking about it with Max and he said that guy was a complete jerk and that no one can forbid you from standing in a public place. After that episode we moved on to Piazza Navona. Our guide explained to us how Bernini had made the fountain: each many representing an important river of the world. One of the men was built to look like he was shading his eyes. This was because where this statue was looking was right at a large building which Boronini had designed. Boronini wasn't going to take that. So on the top of that building he put a statue looking like she was disgusted and didn't want to look in front of her. Too funny! Here is where our guide left us. We decided to do some shopping. First we went to some leather shops, but they were too expensive or they were closing. Then we discovered a cute little jewelry store. They sold the most fun stuff for 10, 15 or 20 euro. I didn't want to spend anymore money, but I found necklace that I couldn't refuse for 10 euro! Everyone ended up going into this store. Then it was time for food. We first went to the place our guide had suggested, but the line was so long. So we found another place. It was ok. Definitely not the best place we had eaten. For antipasti I split some bruscette. For pasta I shared a yummy red sauce pasta with Nicole. Dessert was the best part - chocolate and nutella mousse. Yum yum! Then it was time for bed!
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