Another beautiful day in Roma

Sunny and 80 degrees - we've got no problem with the weather here. There was not much on the schedule today besides lunch at our favorite Parioli haunt with our hotelier friend. That left time this morning for planning our upcoming vacation to Puglia and dealing with various things around the villa that needed attention.

Unfortunately, since I couldn't work out at the gym this morning, (see yesterday's blog), there was also time for a little yoga. It was only unfortunate in that I somehow managed to tweak my back. By the time we left to meet our friend for lunch, it wasn't feeling so well. By the time I returned from our 2 1/2 hour lunch, it was terrible. So, the rest of the day was spent pretty much on my back. In my effort to maximize my experience in Rome, I did lie down on the bench cushion in the garden so I could attempt to enjoy this beautiful day.

Unfortunately, my injury also prevented us from going out this evening to enjoy a concert at the Ara Pacis. The Ara Pacis is the Altar to Peace that was commissioned in 6 BC to honor the triumphant return of the Roman emperor Augustus from the Wars of Gaul and Hispania; it was completed in 9 BC and is universally known as a masterpiece. The Altar was essentially recovered and reconstructed in the 1930's. In 2006, Richard Meier, the American architect completed a structure built specifically to house the Ara Pacis. The contemporary building was extremely controversial. Personally, I think the contrast of old and new is fantastic and the wall of glass allows all passersby to view the magnificent altar - even driving down the Via Lungotevere which is when I first spotted it. I imagine it would have been magical to attend a classical concert in such a beautiful place. But for today, I can only imagine...and enjoy the weather.