Last day and the rain intensifies. Impossible to go anywhere, even with the umbrellas, without getting wet. (And we have just acquired a new, stronger and much larger umbrella. J is very good at repairing umbrellas that people have abandoned in frustration so we stay a little ahead even though we leave the occasional one on a bus or park bench.) But regardless we do go out to the nearby St John
Lateran Basillica, the seat of the Bishop of Rome - who is, of course, the pope. This, and not St Peter's, is his home church.
St John Lateran is a surprisingly modern looking building with vast, clean spaces and huge statues of the apostles. It has some reason not to look modern as it's origins are pretty ancient. And so are some individual bits. The central bronze doors, for example, are second century and come from the Curia, or Senate, in the Roman Forum. Following various disasters, though, and much rebuilding, what is left of the structure is mostly 17th century.
Our friend on reception books us a taxi for 3:30 AM. We're pleased because the prim young lady on the morning shift was happy to oblige but quoted €50 (£37.15, $71.05 CAD) instead of the city mandated flat rate of €30 (£22.29, $42.63 CAD), citing a private driver as the reason. So we bring home a funghi (mushroom) pizza and another broccoli and sausage - supper and a bit left over for the trip - from the little shop round the corner. Happy to be in out of the rain. Wake up call for 3:00 AM.
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