We went to Hostaria Romana for our final group dinner. The decor of the restaurant was a little unusual: the walls were covered in graffiti. After enough wine had been consumed, people started rummaging through backpacks and purses to find a writing instrument to leave their own mark on the walls. When newlywed, Kelly, balanced tip-toe on a chair to write her message, the restaurant's proprietor came running over waving his arms. He said, "Lady, lady..." Everyone froze. Then he continued, "...put your phone number." What did Kelly's graffiti say? "Buddy check. 10-4-2012 R.S. Tour"
The Pantheon was constructed in 125 A.D., and is the only ancient building in Rome which has been continuously used since it was built. The dome, open in the center, has astounded architects through the ages, and was the inspiration for domes built centuries later by Renaissance artists such as Michelangelo.
Our first glimpse of the Pantheon occurred the night before these photos were taken. Ben, our tour guide, had taken our group for an impromptu walk after dinner when the official tour was over. He brought us around a corner and there it was: the Pantheon. This daylight photo was a better shot, but in my memory, I'll always remember the nighttime one.
On our way to dinner with our group on our final night in Rome, we passed this sign directing us to McDonald's. We resisted! But before we reached Hostaria Romana, the restaurant for that evening, we stopped and took a group picture.
Nine days before, we had been strangers, now we were friends. Here we are with our companions with whom we traveled in Italy: Squatting - Tracy, Karl, Vanessa Front Row - Tawrin, Kelly, Ellen, Cynthia, John, Diane, Yo, Roz, Christine, Linda, Nikki, Gus, Gloria, Debbie Back Row - Donna, Lorne, Dick, Ben (tour guide), George, Jane, Wayne, Peter, Margaret, Mitch, Frank
After dinner, we all walked to Trevi Fountain, and as is the custom, we tossed some coins in. Let's hope we get our wish to return to Europe!