You might need to be an aussie to understand that humour.. but never mind.. I'm sure the overall meaning isn't lost on most of you..  Last week proved to be a bit of a debacle.. so I'm taking the opportunity to have a do-over..  Why the heck not!! Still a bit under the weather but my postponed birthday celebrations are rescheduled for this week [so hopefully I'll get my cake and eat it too] and .. as the great blogger mishap of 2011 ate my birthday post.. [and all your lovely comments]  it seems a do-over is in order... Important to get those wishes back out into the universe .. although I've revamped the images for your viewing pleasure... Don't won't to totally bore those of you who turned up for the first event..

For a bit of luck, I thought we could all have a virtual tossing of three coins in the fountain...  La Fontana di Trevi.. A must visit on any Roman adventure .. A majestic tribute to Neptune and the oceans he commands, one can't help but be mesmerized by the fountain's  baroque beauty.. Neptune takes centre stage, standing tall atop his watery chariot and is flanked by the goddesses of Abundance and Salubrity. 

Managing to snap a shot without someone's head, arm or camera blocking the view can be a challenge.. The place is constantly buzzing with tourists from every corner of the globe hoping to chance a glimpse of the baroque beauty immortalized in Fellini's La Dolce Vita.. Of course they may also be hoping to replicate that other film.. by tossing their 'Three Coins In The Fountain' ...

On my last visit,  not only did I manage my wish and coin toss, but was also delighted with a little midday entertainment.  An embarrassed gentleman crawled out onto the fountain in a valiant  attempt to retrieve an errant watch, inadvertently flung from the arm of a vigorous coin tosser!! It was one of those always hoped for but not often found moments.. Straight out of film.. a little bit patzo.. a little bit italiano.... The crowd lapped up every moment.. Audible gasps could be heard with every slip and slide that distracted him from his goal..  jovial laughter greeted the shoes & socks removal.. and cheers of applause brought a nervous smile to the worried face of our humble hero when finally he returned the errant watch to his tearful son ..  Of course the polizia also got into the act and I suspect enjoyed the spotlight as they 'orchestrated' the moment.

I couldn't have asked for a better memory of Rome. Life imitating art.. you would have thought Marcello himself had waded  into that fountain...  One of those moments when you felt connected to the strangers around you.. united in the childish joy of the moment.. Like I said.. a little bit patzo.. Somewhere I have a photo showing a bit of the days events.. Hopefully I will unearth it one day.. but for now I have the memories.. and this shot above.. thankfully free of tourists..