Roma - Beware the Ides of October!!!

I had high hopes for today....my last full day in Roma....and the sun was out...not a cloud in the sky...Temp in the high 70's....awesome.  But, beware the Ides of October.....I soon noticed a very heavy presence of police....all types all sizes...all types of vehicles....

As one can see....this is more than my "groups of 4" identified in earlier Blog postings.  This is some serious police presence.  I found out why.  The Occupation Movement has come to Rome....thousands are planning to march...and then I began to notice the streets are being blocked....and demonstrators were forming....

The banners and signs were all in Italian....so I had no idea what they said...I could identify various gay rights groups.....abortion groups.....human rights...education....but that was about it.  Some of these people must have thought it was a parade...they came in costume...and with "floats"..trucks covered with   fancy memorabilia....and some drums....the crowds seem to be growing....

I am thinking...this is cool.....then the light of day actually hits me!  This is not cool Bob....you are an American....in Italy....you do not speak the language....you are being surrounded by these people.....I think maybe it is time to head back to the hotel?

I will have to admit...when I was there....it was very peaceful....mostly people walking in silence....carrying banners and various signs.....such as you see in these pictures....

Sooooo.....I made a wise decision I think.  I found out after I returned to my hotel....it turned violent.  A Ministry building was burned when a Molotov Cocktail was thrown into it.....cars were overturned and burned....a policeman was injured....and about 100 people were injured....not good.

My advice....if you are an American and in a foreign country....and a demonstration of any kind is taking place....your best place is in your hotel.  I am just sayin......so this was my last picture of the day....it is an empty street - one away from the march....a very busy street normally....but today no cars...very few people....

Okay....tomorrow afternoon I leave for Firenze!!!!