Flea Market Rome Style

This morning, I got up at 6:00am in order to arrive early at Rome's largest flea market (photo). I walked with five of my friends down to Porta Portese, where the Porta Portese market is from about 7 am to 1 pm every Sunday morning. For lovers of flea markets, this must be the holy grail in terms of size. The flea market simply seemed to go on and on! The walk from end to end of the market was at least 20 minutes long if you walked straight through and didn't stop to look at anything. The market was across the river in southern Trastevere. The Porta Portese, where the market begins, is actually one of the ancient city gates, and is still standing adjacent to remnants of the old city walls. (The second photo is a picture of the beginning of the market with the Porta Portese in the background). Unfortunately, there was very little "found" type or "antique" type of stuff here; most vendors were selling newer clothing, jewelry, purses, and other accessories. There was also a surplus of housewares, shoes, scarves, cosmetics, and old electronics. I even saw one woman selling parakeets! I enjoyed wandering through the market munching a giant doughnut-type treat known as a ciambella and listening to the vendors shouting the merits of their products to anyone who would listen.

After the flea market, I went to church at the church of San Silvestro. This church is considered the National Church of England, so half of their masses are celebrated in English (I went to an English mass). The head of John the Baptist is actually kept in this church as well.

After church, I went out with some friends for coffee and I got another delicious hot chocolate (photo), and then I spent the rest of the afternoon working on schoolwork.