Rome is alive!

We just returned from dinner – it is nearly 11 here. The streets are alive with street performers, Muslims selling crap (I bought some) and tourists eating, drinking and being entertained. Street performers include violinists, opera singers and mimes. A smorgasbord for your entertainment. Oh, don’t forget, every 10 feet there is a place to get some gelato. I’m currently enjoying the marrying of banana to chocolate (don’t judge).

Dinner was excellent. Lisa had some sort of pasta that caused all sorts off issues with me and the waiter. He told me what it was and I disagreed (only because I didn’t want to be wrong). He told me, “women are stronger’ – which tells me he was just allowing Lisa to win the argument and not the whole truth – ha! I had some grilled chicken as a the main course with a bizarre pasta dish with truffles and pumpkin sauce. Weird, but tasty. Truffles aren’t what you think they are. Over here, they are some sort of mushroom that is dug up – look it up.

Siestas are important.

The highlight of the day was ancient Roma. We visited the Roman Forum and the Colosseum. The Forum were remains from the BC time to the 5th century and a little later. We saw Caligula’s palace, where Julius Caesar’s burial fire occurred, Constantine’s arch, Titus’ arch and where the Vestal Virgins lived. So, Rome – Caeser, Maximus, Michelangelo, Romulus, Titus, Constantine, Virgins, Brutus and Jim. Pretty sure the can close this place down. No more royalty to pass through here.

I don’t mean to make light. Roma was once the cultural and political capital for the world. It ruled for nearly a 1000 years and what happened here then still impacts our religion, laws, politics, art, architecture and fashion (toga parties still happen, I’m told…). Rome is still a very important city in the world. It has a NYC feel with 2000+ years of history. We are really enjoying our time here.

I do want to mention the Italian Parliament, which is very close to our hotel. I want to compare and contrast it to our Capitol Hill.

Age: Italy, older.
Size, USA, bigger.
Armed guards: Italy, to the side, keeping an eye out – USA: standing between you and the building
Allowed to touch: Italy: Yes, USA: No. (yes, I’m an American citizen and can walk up and take pictures of the Italian Parliament and touch it, but not the building that stands atop our Capitol Hill. Do what you want with that information.
Guards: USA: Not friendly. Italy: Very friendly.

Okay, I promised pictures, but my gelato is melting, so you will have to wait another day…

I will warn you, I plan on emailing the boss to inquire into the possibilities of telecommuting from Europe. I highly suspect I know the answer and will be home soon. But, I suppose there is a 1 in a million chance that we may just stay.

We are having a blast. Tomorrow, we visit the Vatican where I hope to have a personal chat with the Pope, which, of course, will set him straight.

Oh – and for my fellow Christians out there, to see Constantine’s arch so close to that of Titus was kinda surreal. Also, to see the cistern/dungeon/prison that once housed Peter and Paul was a little too much. As a Christian, everything here is just a little too real. I can literally see/feel the pre-Christian and early Christian history come alive. For example, Titus’ arch includes a carving of the plunder taken form the captured and destroyed Judea temple (you know the one – yes, that temple). This carving shows a Menorah being stolen away. It comes alive – it is right there in my face. No denying. It is real, it happened.

For my political friends, to hear how Rome finally fell, over taxation, conservatives blaming liberals and vice-versa and moral decay… all to familiar….

Oh – we saw the Colosseum. Tired of saying, ‘wow’ to you people, but, ‘wow!’

If you ever have a chance to see Rome, do it – don’t hesitate, especially the Christians…

Well, have I rambled enough? I took a quick break and my gelato is gone now. But, it is late and we have an early morning tomorrow. (Have a mentioned the Carbonara yet? Best food yet)

Rome is alive. Alive with today. Alive with a rich history that is unimaginable, unfathomable – please, come see it.

We are nearing the end of our trip.

Look up ‘Chianti Classico’ and Lemoncello. Good stuff…

Tomorrow, my good friends…