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Our last day in Rome is a day of churches. I lose count of the how many we see total throughout our four days in Rome. There are standouts of course (St. Paul Outside-The-Walls, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva), but in my head a lot of the rest have merged into one, impossibly-full structure. Even Sarah has to make notes on her phone to keep all the names straight. (And she's more than welcome to share them here.)

We return to the cat sanctuary, so we can do something nice for the kids who have been beyond patient. For the four days in Rome, they've walked forty kilometers and complained almost not at all. They've been really amazing. We also stop at the Trevi Fountain, where everyone throws coins and ensures their return one day. Back near the hotel, we spot a McDonald's and decide to give the kids a substantial lunch for a change, rather than apples, chips, or pizza with hotdogs in it. McDonald's, at least while we're there, happens to be the most popular restaurant in Rome. It is crudded up with people, though we do managed to get seats. For those of you interested in regional menu variations, the peculiar menu item in Rome is the Crispy McBacon, which is a bacon double cheeseburger with an egg on top. I don't even know how to feel about that.

In our post lunch downtime, the kids finish up homework - journals and presentations they have to make about the trip, I go buy three sweet ties I'd spotted on our first day, and bags and packed to the degree that they can be packed. We return to the restaurant that's next door to the hotel and have exactly the same meal as last time. It is very good. Near bedtime, Sarah, her dad, and I walk across the street to Pompi, which serves excellent take-out tiramisu. We eat it sitting on the Spanish Steps and talk about what an excellent trip it's been.

Then we head off to bed and get ready to travel home.
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