No reports from Rome today! Are the Market Square Singers having too much fun?

After a nearly-three hour, 176-mile bus ride back to Rome from Florence, the Market Square Singers were scheduled free time in the Eternal City this afternoon and evening. I suspect we will have some wonderful photos and reports of their visit tomorrow, when they will again have free time in the morning (no more rehearsals and concerts), a tour of Vatican City in the afternoon, and a farewell dinner in the evening.

I am imagining the Singers visiting the Colosseum, Pantheon, Forum, and Trevi Fountain (Wilmer, please try to get back the coin I threw in there in 1967. That wish did not come true.) They may see the Arch of Constantine, the famous Spanish steps, Castel Sant'Angelo, and so much more. On Tuesday, they will be making their way home. We'll be glad to have them back, safe and sound.

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Well, wouldn't you know it! As soon as I published this, I found an email from Wil Henninger containing a photo and a video of the famous "Three Coins in a Fountain" fountain, the Trevi, built from 1732 to 1762.

"Thousands come to see and be seen--and prevent good camera shots!" says Wil. (WH)

A traditional legend holds that if visitors throw a coin into the fountain, they are ensured a return to Rome. This was the theme of the 1954 film Three Coins in the Fountain and the Academy Award-winning song by that name, which introduced the picture.

An estimated 3,000 euros are thrown into the fountain each day. The money has been used to subsidize a supermarket for Rome's needy; however, there are regular attempts to steal coins from the fountain. I hope Wilmer did not get in trouble trying to get my coin back!

To see and hear the fountain in motion, watch this video that Wil sent.

It's almost midnight here in Harrisburg. I'll be back in the morning to post some photos of Lucca, where the Singers performed on Saturday, and more pictures from Rome.

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