ROME

Apr 23, 2018

Gladiators fought and emperors, with thousands of others, cheered here. The oval floor was covered with sand to soak up the blood. "Arena" is the word for sand in Spanish.

4 to 11 April

My prior two attempts at loving Rome failed. The first was during a too fast whirlwind tour as a student and my second was during a particularly unpleasant slushy cold week in December, both many years ago. I was hoping for a different, pleasanter experience this time. I was not disappointed.

Fountain of Neptune in the Piazza Navona

I strolled and dallied during warm days and under mostly blue skies from one breathtaking sight to the next.

Under the portico of the Pantheon

There was quite a bit of dodging hordes of tourists, but the extraordinary history, buildings, and artwork made any moments of discomfort well worth it.

Oculus of the Pantheon

Doing my best to remember the Italian I had once known, I found the locals welcoming and kind: My first attempt at using a city bus and not knowing the procedure, resulted in a woman insisting on giving me one of her tickets without charge. Another woman, while I was seeking a metro station, walked with me, blocks out of her way, to insure I found it.

Rome's antiquity

No day was complete without gelato and the pizza, made in sheets, cut with a scissor and weighed, was equally divine.

Colosseo

Bocca della Verità - The Mouth of Truth

Trevi Fountain

While in Rome, it was impossible to not think of "Roman Holiday" and "La Dolce Vita". I've witnessed the impact and power of the Catholic church throughout the world, but the display of the Vatican's wealth is extraordinary.

Vatican Museum

Nero's bathtub

St. Peter's Basilica

Michelangelo's Pietá

I hope to return to Rome and see again Bernini's, Michelangelo's, and countless other artists' exquisite creations, walk again on ancient sites, enjoy additional culinary pleasures and have more delightful impromptu encounters.