Transatlanticism: Roma Aeterna: PART ONE

Okay so I know I took another break in the updates since Florence, but these past few days have been a tad bit chaotic. I had a few things to finish before I left Riva and I also needed to pack up my belongings. I am currently in Athens at the hotel in the lounge that overlooks the Acropolis. I am drinking traditional Greek beer and enjoying the view of the sun setting over the Acropolis.

So let's go back in time, shall we? About three weeks ago I was leaving Florence and headed to Rome! Well we obviously arrived in Rome and made it to our hotel. The first night was so exciting. I mean, this is Rome we're talking about! This is a world famous city that everyone has some sort of thought about or some connection to through popular culture, films, and the news. It's historic and it's story begins thousands of years ago and now it is the busiest city in Italy and one of the most popular cities in the world. So why go to bed early? We managed to pull our weary selves together and walk the streets.

Trevi Fountain at night

First we headed to the Trevi Fountain. We walked through the quiet streets through the city across stone streets and even ran across four lanes of traffic. It was quiet in the city minus the usual noises of cars, buses, and bars coming to life. Then we made it to the fountain where the city suddenly erupted into life! People were everywhere. It was crowded and it was nearly midnight. I couldn't believe how many people we had to squeeze through to get to the fountain. Vendors, of course, were everywhere. You really can't escape the vendors...Anyway, we squeezed our way to the front not too different from a concert scene. We reveled in the beauty of the fountain at night. It's absolutely gorgeous. I've seen it in so many films and it's one of those truly iconic images associated with Rome (apart from the Colosseum). We pulled out our Euro coins, kissed them (yes, gross but it's apparently traditional), and made our wishes then tossed the coins over our backs.

After leaving the Trevi Fountain we weaved our way through the streets to the Spanish Steps. Once again we found ourselves amidst a huge crowd of people. People of all ages and ethnicities. We decided to find our way up a few steps and sit down since it seemed to be the trend (hundreds of people crowded these steps).

Tip #1: When vendors come up to you, do not tolerate them because any sign of this will create some form of relationship with them (in their minds) and they will continue to offer you what they are selling i.e. roses, stupid cheap toys, and souvenirs.

Tip #2: Americans in Rome are drawn to other Americans like a moth to a flame. They seem to think that Americans are a rarity in this world and will even talk to you like they have been stranded in the middle of the City of God for days.

Tip #3: Avoid the Spanish Steps because strange things happen....

In reference to the previous tips I will go on to explain our experience on the Spanish Steps. Well that night we had to get rid of about 10 or so vendors because they are relentless. We were having a conversation when suddenly these American boys came up to us in a frenzy. They had to be around 15 or 16 years old and with them were their chaperones a priest and their mothers. They were fascinated by us and crowded around us on the steps. They seemed to be shocked to hear english...strange, because I have heard it everywhere in Rome and Florence thus far on my journey. Anyway, they are from Richmond, VA and they go to St. Benedictine's High School which is a private Catholic boys school. After talking to us for about fifteen minutes they managed to detach from us, after trying so hard to pick some of us up in many strange and failed attempts. It was cute. In two days, I will return to the Spanish Steps and encounter a vendor fight less than 10 feet away from me. Apparently the vendors also work in a sort of gang system where they have their own territory and one vendor was on the wrong turf. Punches were thrown and vendors were chased around the steps. Comical yet a little uncomfortable. Also the steps seem to be a place where people will perform music out of key and really terribly but again it's so fun. I did manage to sit on the steps and get a lot of sun and it was so much fun.

After our first night at the Spanish Steps we headed back to the hotel but we got a little off course and ended up at the Roman ruins. I may have had a bit of a moment with the ruins. I saw them and I was absolutely in awe of what we had come across. It was so quiet and serene and in the middle of Rome on a cool night were columns and ruins calmly standing. I couldn't have been more dumbstruck at the site of them. I walked up to the barrier and stood on the wall and just stared. It was only the tip of the iceberg because the next morning was a real experience.

Colosseum

The next day was the real tour de force. We had a very early morning with the group. We went everywhere! I mean...EVERYWHERE. We started off with the Colosseum. How perfect? We were only but two blocks from the Colosseum and it was magnificent in all its glory. It was a humid and warm morning and I couldn't be more excited. I saw it and grabbed my friend's arm out of pure excitement. I mena, this is the image of ancient Rome. Everyone knows of the Colosseum. It's infamous and for me it is a staple in Classics. It says so much about Roman society! I walked around the entire perimeter once we got inside. I couldn't miss a single inch. I looked into the center and saw where the gladiatorial fights would take place. Miraculous place to find yourself in. Outside of the Colosseum is the Arch of Constantine and beyond that is the Palatine Hill which has the Palace of Domitian and overlooks the Circus Maximus. Honestly I can't even begin to describe each place we saw. We went to the Forum which was incredible and had some of the most important monuments for Rome including the Arch of Titus, the Arch of Septimius Severus, Temple of Antoninus Pius, Senate House, and the Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine. Not far from the Palatine Hill there's the Column of Trajan, the Markets, and Trajan's Forum. It's all in one area and it's all fantastic. You have to experience to really understand how unbelievable the whole complex is. After we went through the Forum area we went to the Ara Pacis (symbol of Augustan peace) and saw the Column of Marcus Aurelius. Beyond that we had the rest of the afternoon to ourselves.

Pantheon

Roman Forum

I went to the Vatican with a group of people. It was a far walk but it was definitely worth it. We walked through Vatican City and found ourselves in one of the most interesting areas in Rome. The Vatican City is a sovereign city within Rome and operates on its own. We first went into St. Peter's and to get in is similar to going through airport security. There is a strict dress code one has to follow to get into the Vatican. You can't show your knees or shoulders and women especially need to cover up. Also they have metal detectors and x-ray machines to check backpacks, bags, and purses. St. Peter's is enormous. The church is beyond huge...it's massive! When you think you have seen it all, you will come across another nook or cranny. And my favorite part is that they have Michelangelo's Pietas on display. It's so beautiful. This sculpture conveys so much emotion and on top of that the detail in the marble is amazing. Below the church are the tombs of the Popes, which we toured. It's huge and very impressive. We saw tombs that date back to centuries ago and then among a huge crowd of people is the tomb of Pope John Paul II. So beautiful. After that we went and picked up postcards and sent some from the Vatican post boxes. It's an intriguing thing because they have their own stamps and it's unique to get a postmark from the Vatican City because it's basically its own country.