Day 2

Yesterday, in the 80plus degree heat, our realtor commented that the heat "had finally broken" and how fortunate our timing was. Today, Rome was nearing 100and we had to "beat the heat" so we decided on a beach outing. This of course, after we had all risen and eaten breakfast outdoors on the patio at 11am. And, we needed to open a bank account first.

The outing to the bank took well over an hour. Apparently, all the on-line forms that Josh had filled out ahead of time and that should have been awaiting our arrival for signature and presentation of passports had disappeared, so we had to start the process over again. The process was pleasant enough, just very time consuming.

So, by the time we returned to the villa, changed for the beach, and started heading out of town, it was lunch time. Actually, it was almost past lunch time. Fortunately, we stopped in the Prati at a Cafeteria for the Italian version of fast food which you choose from behind the glass display: Insalata Caprese, Risotto di mare, farfalle pesto, melanzane and grilled zucchini and good old turkey and potatoes too. But, we couldn't leave without having our first gelato fix in Rome. The gelato was so good and so fresh at this place, I can't imagine any better.

Fully sated, we are off to Fregene, which was described to me by a friend as a "50's style beach town just 20 minutes outside of Rome." Well, it took us 30 minutes, but we did stop for gas. And, there we were. At the Mediterranean. The Lido of Fregene is lined with beach club after beach club. On hot summer weekends, the place is packed with Romans. But, on a Tuesday afternoon at 4 0'clock, it's wonderfully uncrowded, and just the break we needed to feel like we were really on vacation! The kids had a blast playing in the water which must have

been a full 20 degrees warmer than Lake Michigan. In fact, as Charlotte said, it was too warm.

We decided to take in more of the beach town charm and eat dinner in Fregene. Excellent grilled calamari, pizza (like out of a wood-burning oven, but not made in a wood-burning oven as apparently the permits are hard to come by these days) and insalata. The restaurant had a few swings and children's electric cars and horses out front, a perfect diversion while we waited for our food.

Charlotte insisted we see the Trevi Fountain today (as featured in the Lizzie McGuire movie) so once we returned to Rome, we embarked upon another nightly excursion (really a great time to be in the City without the heat, and with the beautiful lights). Good thing Avery still had his swim trunks on because he decided to get soaked in the Roman waters. The kids each tossed a nickel in and made a wish. A great ending to a great day.