Touring Rome On A Sunday

Pushing 6 pm local time and we returned from the full day in Rome. Considering how far it is to get to Rome, we needed to be on the bus by shortly after 8 am and for the sleepy heads that was accomplished with few problems.
We did Rome on Your Own which means that they take you there and bring you back and everything in between is on your own. The bus guide was quite good and funny and gave n excellent into to the places that we might want to visit. Having spent time in Rome on 2 previous visits we were off to some of the lesser places. They dropped us in St Peter's Square but the pope was conducting services today and St Peter's was closed until 1-2 pm which meant long lines and little time to make the departure. we decided to go to Castel S. Angelo which is the old fortress looking building at the beginning of the street to the church. It has had many uses in the past starting in Roman times but more recently used as apartments for various popes who built on top of the old Roman structure. It is where he went in times of political problems. At any rate it was quite interesting although a bit confusing with all the ages of the structures.
After that we headed down the Tiber - walking of course - into the Trastevere district which is just south of the Vatican. We were headed for the first Catholic church built in Rome called Santa Marie in Trastevere. A very impressive church. You think that you have seen it all and then the next church produces surprises. Lunch in a little cafe behind the church (gnocchi again) with wine and beer and then a walk back to the Vatican. The lineup was still long so we strolled the streets and looked in the shops.
Last night was Country Night and we did some line dancing and a few other things including an very good singer. Now the Italian opera is coming from the Atrium just outside this room. Judy is already back in the cabin taking a shower and will probably be asleep by the time I get there. All this before we crack open our new bottle of wine. Liverno walled towns and farm house lunch tomorrow. Cheers.