One place that was closed and we were not able to see anything--- The Mouth of Truth.

 The Colosseum

 After a LONG day of walking we had a nice dinner at a German Restaurant run by Italians! It was GOOD.

 We went back to Trevi Fountains it was up and flowing. The story is some drunk men from Ireland smashed up the fountain and it has been closed for a year and 1/2 for the repairs.

 The water was a beautiful turquoise but for some reason it did not photo that way!

It was very crowded -- but people were polite and there was very little noise --- everyone was smiling and very happy to have the fountain open--- There was less noise here than at the Vatican-- our next day trip.

 Our Second day to tour Roma, we are headed into the Pantheon, largest free( at that time) standing dome.

 The floors are just incredible!

 The ceiling has a hole in the center no covering over it.

 We have a wood carving of this dragon, we thought it was unique--- only to find them here on the street to tire horses to!

 This plaza looked like a set for a Jane Austin Film-- Laura found her favorite lemon drink!

 This dome was build to celebrate all the faith of the world, the man started it when he was 85 and finished at age 96.

 Roma is the city of Dragons if I showed all the pictures we took of dragons it would fill several blogs.

 A monument to Victor Emanuel

Just one of the MANY aches in Roma.

 Laura matches this deux chedaux, 

 We got to Rome a little in between and looked long and hard for this quick bar to eat at!

 This was the neighbors rabbit down the street from our apartment!

 Our home away from home!

 Street artist , loved his work!

 Spanish steps --- being repaired but visible!

 Trevi Fountain  was being cleaned for the grand reopening later that day--- we just didn't know about it.

George has his own men's clothing store right by the fountain! Great location!

 The status use to face the sea and welcome them.Now he looks at the wall of mud.

 Ryan giving a warm welcome of his own.

 Herculaneum has left a story of the value they placed on life. There are 6 of these storage bays with bodies in them. They are the old and the young. A history was uncovered that said they had sent for a ship to pick up them. Researcher's know the ship was destroyed and never reached them. The story of the others is yet to be revealed.

Good buy Herculaneum, hello Rome.

 This whole project is being funded by HP in the US. The restoration is projected to be completed in 10 years. All the land around the city and the city still under mud has been purchased and some of the land is now American soil. ( That way they can work through red tape and get the project done.

 This is the common bath for the hired help-- the healthy have their own private baths; the floors and walls were amazing!

 The ceiling of the bath has the ridges to draw the water down the sides and not drip on the heads of the people.

 This is a supply house or store. The pointed bottom vases were put in wood holes on the ships to keep them from breaking-- oil was a precious cargo.

 Tiles on the wall are designed to show the wealthy owners .Herculaneum was the city of the wealthy so everything in the city is impressive.

 The sidewalk is uncovered to show they had plumbing -- the problem was they used lead pipes!

This is the Temple of Hercules.

 The first picture looks down from above. Mt Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D.

Pompeii was mostly destroyed, but Herculaneum was north of Pompeii and was covered by Hot Mud over a period of three days, which left little to no oxygen for decay.

This shows what has been dung out to reveal the city.  The sea coast came up to the arches and were places to put supplies for ships. So one side is the old coast line where the docks were and the other side is what covered the whole area--- mud.

 Those are wine pots -- so this would have been a bar.

 It is difficult to see but the thing that looks like a cross is really a laundry press. That is the original wood, marble and metal used to press out the excess water in the laundry room.

 This also shows the original wood, now encased a glass. ( Home of a wealthy family)

 The floor of this home has white cat eye marble that shines in the night.

 One of the many walls in the original color and beauty.( with the wood beams in the ceiling)

 Made a quick stop to our museum and saw Hera's Crown, before our "Halloween Festa"

 Then on to the Branch Halloween Party, it is all about fun. President and I are 'Students of  Pythagoras" We have glow in the dark paint on but it never showed up!!! Students of Paythagoras had a high code of conduct. All students wear modest white clothes, had a strict moral code and strong guidelines for health.

 One of our families taking lessons, we had many more non members than members!

 What would we do without Super Man?

 Laura and Ryan picked up a look from Venice and had a good time too.

 English Course students, Graziella brought most of the food!! We had such a large crowd we were about to go out for pizza when Graziella came carrying in boxes of food! We were very grateful!!!

 Our Anziano decided to do the pie contest , Yeah, he just wanted a lot of cream --- and he got it!

 Everyone had fun.

 PINTA' time, our 4 kids had a good time, while Ryan held up the Pinta' and Laura protect the people around the kids from being hit!