Lunedì a Roma

Mondays, especially in August, are not a good time to be a discerning tourist in Rome. Between annual holidays and Monday being the day of closing because they are open Sundays, many places are not open. That includes all the museums on our purchased tickets.

After a hot night we were slow to start but then headed to Santa Maria Maggiore for 11 am Mass. How special this feels and how privileged we are to be able to visit it so often.

This is one of the side chapels where they hold the mid week services.

These two photos are from another side chapel.

Still at a loss about what to do on a hot, steamy day, we found ourselves heading to San Giovanni Laterano. Along the way were several of these COVID testing and 

vaccination places, tents constructed in parking spaces in front of pharmacies. No booking needed, just go into or contact the pharmacy.

We were now nearly 3 kms from home, and just a little warm!

Inside the Basilica there was some renovation work going on, the crane had lifted two workers right up to the ceiling where they were restoring gold leaf.

There was lots of interest in what these people were doing. After repairing the gold, they moved on, checking certain areas for damage.

Some other shots at San Giovanni Laterano.

By now it was almost lunch time. Suppli is the word for small snacks, street food, and we came across one of these shops as we walked towards Termini station and our hotel. 

This was so delicious - tuna, tomato and arugula in a pizza fold. Kel had a ham and cheese calzoni, a pizza style folded like a pastie and baked.

More r & r needed after walking all the way home again in the heat.