I awoke at 8:30, very hungry, and rushed downstairs to get something to eat before our 9:00 departure.  To my relief, Anne, Bob, and Drew had yet to appear so I ate a good, hearty meal.  To my surprise, Hannah was there.  She had arrived yesterday afternoon at 4:00 and was asleep when we returned from our excursion.

Mario and I went to a nearby bank where I changed $4,000.  I got a much better rate (85.4) than I had the day before for the $1,000 I changed at the airport (78.2).  Changing money was a bit of a comedy due to local bureaucratic protocol.  Back at the hotel, I handed out €180 to each student for their meals for the trip.  I was very glad to be rid of all the cash. 

We made our way on foot back to the Colosseum where Anne and Bob introduced us to the Arch of Constantine.  We then went up Palatine Hill to the Circus Maximus overlook.  We could almost see the chariot races of old.  Proceeding into the Forum, we headed to the ruins of the Basilica.  At the Senate, we posed for a group photo; I stood about at the spot where Julius Caesar was murdered.  Ascending Capitoline Hill we arrive on the Piazza of the Museo Capitolino, designed by Michelangelo.  We ate lunch in their cafeteria. It is designed to eliminate the possibility of impulse buying. One must pay for everything before ordering and then present the ticket to the clerk. We toured the museum, seeing Michelangelo’s “The Dying Gaul” and a wide variety of other renowned works from Greek-Renaissance time. 

Next, we headed down the hill through quaint back streets to the Pantheon.  To our surprise Jesse and Val were waiting for us there, so our group was now complete.  Once again I was incredibly taken by the cut stonework on the floor and walls of the Pantheon.

On our long walk back to the hotel we stopped at the Trevi Fountain.  I could feel a blister growing on my right foot and wanted to dip it in the water but I refrained.  I was very glad to get off of my feet when we finally made it back.  We walked 12-15 km today.

The faculty and about 9 students went to a nearby ristorante.  It was good but not as good as the night before.  Afterward, Anne and I went to the Internet café while Bob took Drew back to the hotel.  We spent an hour there before heading back.  We stopped for a glass of wine at the Julius Caesar Pub, but it was loud, smoky, and sleazy so we drank quickly and left.  I think everyone slept well.  We were all beat.