Arrival in Rome

The pandemic kept Bill and I from Rome for three years.

We are so happy to be back in the  apartment we first rented in 2010. So nice to see the rooftops of Rome from our balcony once more. 

We set off for the Pantheon -- only two steps away. It still looks magnificent.

We had arrived in time for lunch, so we slipped behind the Pantheon to the Enoteca Corsi where we were greeted by Sarah (right), and her mother, Rita, who took off their masks for this picture.

Three years into the pandemic Romans wear their masks indoors but not outdoors, and not at the table. Staff are generally masked.

After lunch Bill and I strolled through Piazza Navona.

We feasted on the visual richness of the Roman streets. 

Bill has begun adding to the collection of street art he started in Toronto.

Even the workmen, of both sexes, give something to the eye.

Then we went to Spazio Nuova, to see new works on paper by Riccardo Ajossa, an artist who we had collected on our last trip. Guillaume (above) and Paulo greeted us warmly.

 Paulo was excited to show us work from a new gallery initiative: Spazio Lab, where they show works by emerging artists -- here the photographs of Andrea Poerio Peterà. 

We stopped into the church of the Franchese to say hello to Caravaggio's "Calling of Matthew" -- a family favourite.

We ended up at our favourite bar where we were greeted by Giorgio who brought us a chilled bottle of prosecco.  We have since returned several times. 

At the end of the day we have begun to stop in at Sant'Eustachio for a cafè (espresso).

Then we say goodnight to the Pantheon and head home.

To sum up: here is Bill after his first week in Rome.

Me after two weeks in Rome.

Bill today after lunch: @ three weeks in Rome.