6/10/24 Villa Borghese, Pincio terrace, Farewell Dinner, and Early Departure

Who knew the Villa Borghese was a garden paradise just minutes from our hotel? A respite from honking horns and human and vehicle traffic, even including designated city bus parking.

This verdant oasis is open 24/7 with no admission fee. 

Small lakes connected to one another. Kayak and canoe rentals were available. Cars, except emergency vehicles, were not allowed on the streets. A slightly smaller Globe Theatre provided a venue for Shakespearean plays, and busts of famous Romans dotted the grounds.

Villa Borghese Gardens entrance.  

          This 19th-century water clock, nearly hidden in the greenery, uses a system of basins and siphons to accurately tell time.  

What appeared to be a missing left leg led me to this statue of Enrico Toti, an Italian cyclist, patriot, and hero of World War I who lost his left leg at age 24 while working for Italian railways.

Amazingly, he became a cyclist with his remaining leg, cycling to Paris, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, and Lapland in 1911.

When the war between Italy and Austria started, he used his bicycle as a civilian and joined the 3rd Berdaglieri Bicycle Battalion before he was killed in the Sixth Battle. (During his last clash, his only weapon was a crutch whose top part can be seen clutched in his right hand.)

Views from the Terrace of Pincio...

Views from the Pincio Terrace.

Farewell Dinner...

I was so proud of myself for requesting just a half portion of my favorite pasta (classic carbonara), which, according to Julia, was best eaten only in Rome. But no one warned me that it would be preceded by eight small plate appetizers or that I would be given the evil eye for refusing dessert. How do these people stay slim?

Arrivederci Jacopo...or, maybe not.

Unbeknownst to me, the power to my hotel room went out during the wee hours when I was due to leave for the airport. Thankfully, I had already showered, was almost entirely packed, and was near panic when I couldn't locate my flashlight in the dark. I fumbled for the hotel telephone and was able to call the front desk. But of course, the only one there was the newest hire and was losing it more quickly than me. 

I didn't have Jack's number, but he let Jack know what happened once I described him to the worker. Eventually, both of them came up to my room. I was afraid to leave the room if I couldn't get back in with the power gone. It didn't take long to agree that this was a problem and that I had to get to the airport before the early rush hour.

Jack hailed the cab he had reserved for me, and I was soon on my way. 

Grazie mille, Jacopo. 

Sei il migliore!