Isn't there an app for that?

Out the door at 6:30, heading for The Pantheon.  Somehow, I managed to find the Spanish Steps instead, which were on my list for  early morning photos, just not on today's list! Once finished there, I pointed the bike in the direction of the Pantheon, and ended up at Fiume Tevere (Tiber River). Which was a lovely bike ride under a row of large shade trees with some beautiful reflections in the river.  Then I found Piazza Farnasi, Piazza Fiori, and Piazza Mattei where I was pleasantly surprised by the lovely turtle fountain.  I didn't have much time to admire the turtles as I was still trying to beat the crowd to The Pantheon and Piazza Navona. After spinning the wheels and spinning my head I finally made it to the Pantheon just before the horsemen started to place their carriages in front of the door, making for a lousy photo.  (I try not to have people or horses in my photos unless I choose to;  I am controlling that way!) I tried a few panoramic shots, which I will look at tonight to see if they worked.  Then I sped over to Piazza Navona and the crowds weren't too bad there yet so I took some decent shots.  Now back in '48 when I was building the Navona page in the app, I had filled the page with Navona content but still had a tiny empty spot on the screen.  I looked up on the internet anything else in Navona that might be worthwhile to see when a person is in the Piazza.  Online, I found a church called Nostra Signora del Sacro Coure; I put it in the app.  Today I found the church in real life.  It is nothing outside, and it isn't particularly interesting inside, but as I was staring at the blessed person at the front, I started to look at the dome above her.  Something was a little too perfect about it.  I stared until my eyes couldn't discern the reality from the image itself. I crept as close as I could to it, which means I think I stood on parts of the church where a mere mortal is not supposed to stand.  And you know what ? The dome is fake!  It was like being at Oz "Never mind that man behind the curtain!" The only way I could really tell was by a few scratches on it that go completely across some of the painting.  I don't know if this is app-worthy material, but it was fun to discover.

Next, I was heading over to Piazza Colonna area but made a quick stop into Sant' Agostino, because it was in front of me, and I didn't really know where I was, so thought I ought to go inside when I had the chance. Wouldn't you know it but there is a Caravaggio in there! Madonna of Loreto.  I actually remember studying this one because Mary said, in class, 40 years ago "Look at how dirty his feet are!"  So that made me wear a big smile today!  No one was in the church looking at it.  It is in a dark little chapel, with no lighting and a big sign saying "NO FLASH"  It was the NO FLASH sign that attracted me to the chapel, because NO FLASH means there is something good there!

On my way to Piazza Colonna I missed the turn by one block and ended up in Piazza Popolo, quite a distance away, but I needed some photos from there, so I made the best use of my directional challenges.   I made it back to Colonna, then headed home where I showered and had a big nap!  I am just heading out to find food now.