Paco de Lucia and the Pantheon

We did round two on the pancakes this morning and then faced the difficult task of deciding where to go on our outing this morning. The winner was the Pantheon. First, after parking at Largo Argentina, we examined the excavations which also serve as a cat sanctuary. How many cats can you count? Then by kids request we stopped at Feltrinelli, the bookstore, where everyone was able to pick up an English language volume of their choosing. Finally, we meandered over to the Pantheon. But first, the kids noticed the obelisk in Piazza della Minerva that sits on the Bernini elephant (1667). Apparently, not everything from Egypt was lost on them, and there is now a keen appreciation of obelisks (which are scattered all around Rome) and where they come from.

As expected, The Pantheon was busy today. A Sunday morning mass was taking place so much of the enormous monument was inaccessible. We walked in and around and out, and then it was time to contemplate lunch. Poor planning had us going to a place not too far from the Pantheon. That meant it was over-priced although the food was pretty tasty.

After lunch we rushed home so Charlotte could pick up her swim bag and get to her meet. We could seriously get used to this style of swim meet ie. the type that is 5 minutes from our home so we don't have to spend all day devoted to it. This is how it goes:

15:00 Josh drops Charlotte off for warm-ups, picks up a heat sheet and comes home

17:20 We all get in the car to watch Charlotte in her first race

17:35 Charlotte swims the 100 fly; not a good race. She hardly swam faster than the first leg of the 200 fly yesterday.

17:50 After giving Charlotte a snack and a pep talk, Olivia, Avery, Josh and I go home.

19:00 Morris comes over

19:20 Josh and I go back to Aniene for her second race -- the 400IM

19:44 Charlotte guts it out and has a decent swim in the IM (if only she could improve her turns!?!?)

20:30 We drop Charlotte off at home (after her leisurely warm-down, and locker room primping) and head over to the Auditorium

We had tickets to see the Spanish guitarist Paco de Lucia tonight. It was our first time at the Auditorium Theater and we were very impressed by the place. The sight lines are great, the seats comfy, the design pleasing. I'd like to see something there every week, if I could. Paco de Lucia was an interesting musical experience. It was less varied than I would have hoped, but enjoyable. Of course, there were "clappers" and in this case a male flamenco dance artist. Very interesting, indeed.

22:45 We bolt from the Auditorium in order to catch the last period of the USA vs. Canada gold medal hockey game. We are disappointed as the game goes into sudden death overtime. Alas, this was not to be the year of the dream team for America. Canada won the gold on their home ice.