Musings from Rome


Musings from Rome

 

Water

Water is plentiful, clean, cold and tasty! And there are potable water fountains to refill your water bottle all over. But they sure don't look like our water fountains!

Old Architecture

There is NOTHING modern in Roman architecture, not a skyscraper, office tower or escalator to be had! (We did find one escalator in a store and quite frankly, it seemed wrong...)

 
Circus Maximus - time for chariot races!
  

Automobiles in Rome 

Driving here is not for the faint of heart or for anyone with a heart. Very few pedestrian crossing lights exist and they are frankly just suggestions. Four lanes of traffic to traverse? No problem! Your most likely demise is from the motorcycles or bicycles or electric scooters. Incidentally, sirens here are a constant and although we did not personally witness carnage, I have no doubt it likely occurs every minute in Rome!

The gas stations (we only saw two as most vehicles here are electric), are situated on the side of the street. Just pull in and fill up. No 'station' attached. 

And parking? Don't get me started. There are NO rules clearly! Park facing in any direction (driver side to the road, driver side to the sidewalk, nose in, double park)...it all happens here. Best of all, if you leave twelve inches or more, a motorcycle or scooter will take advantage. The universal signal for "I can't get into my car or out of my parking space" is laying on the horn until someone comes running. YIKES!

As a result of the limited space, there are many micro cars, and well, cars that pretend to be cars.
 
 
   

Beautiful gardens

There were many beautiful places in Rome to seek some shade from the sun and heat. It was 30C most days we have been in Rome and the locals are grateful as they spent many weeks this summer in the 40+C range! Once again, thank heavens for the cool and plentiful water delivered from the aquifer!

   
The River Tiber
 

No garden gnomes here! Only the best sculpture for the gardens of Rome

Basilicas, Churches, and Chapels

Everywhere we turned there was an opportunity to visit churches and without exception, they were all magnificent in their own way. Just down the road from where we were staying was the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore built in the mid 4th century. I was moved by the amazing marble statue of a prayerful pontifex below the floor level at the front of the church. The pope is facing a golden box containing several precious relics. It claims to contain the relics of the Holy Crib, shards from the Holy Manger, and a piece of the True Cross. The church also contains the tombs of St. Matthew, St. Jerome, and Pope Pius V. 

  
Stained glass is a rare sight in Rome where the buildings predate stained glass
 by hundreds of years.

Amazing Sculpture

I have said it before and I will say it again...WOW! The genius of the sculptors is beyond description.

John the Baptist (and Debbie) in the Borghese Gallery

 
A little boy pulling out a thorn from his foot (artist unknown)

Paintings and Ceilings

It is difficult to know where to look next!
 

Vespa Museum

Yes, there is such a thing. And we witnessed several Vespa tours in action (many with sidecars) but were never fast enough with the camera to catch the elusive creatures!
 

Panoramic view of Rome from Trastavere

Just another beautiful fountain

Food, Food, Food

The food has been spectacular. The pastas, the pizzas, the wine and beer have been stellar. We may never be able to order a pizza at home again :(
 
 

  

Italians

Last, but not least, let me say that all the people we encountered were pleasant, helpful, gracious, and kind. From the janitor that helped me buy stamps (which is a crazy story for another day) to the hotelier that did not have a reservation for us and found us a suite instead, to every person that directed and redirected us to the sites we were looking for. The only grumpy person we have encountered on this trip was at the Vancouver Airport. Go figure.

Today we took the train from Rome to Civitavecchia where we will board our ship, the Celebrity Edge tomorrow morning for our trip across the Mediterranean to Barcelona. We may be able to send some text, but it is unlikely we will be able to attach many (any) photos with the ship WiFi so this might be the end of our blogging for a week. We shall see. And if we cannot reach out to you in the interim, we will reconnect in Barcelona. 

Until then, we will raise a glass to family and friends, wishing you were here with us!

Love Debbie and Chris




 







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