The seat of an ancient culture to which ours owes a lot, still buzzing with a paticular vibe that could only be made in Italy.
Ruins underlie the city, to the point where construction of extra (and very necessary) metro lines has been stalled for years. Sure, that makes commuting a pain, but modern Romans don´t seem to take it too hard - it's just the way it is. This is a society that has put up with more than 50 governments since WWII, and rife corruption - they are used to such inconveniences. Motor scooters and small cars jostle their way through asphalt and cart-rutted cobblestone streets alike.
The ruins rise to the surface all over the place, providing a backdrop for the pretty, extravagant opulence of the renaissance, the blockish, efficient lines of cubism, and modern functionalism.
Human forms of beautiful proportion prouldy pose in squares and adorn buildings. Everything, it seems, is done with style.
(Note here the red paint in the Trevi Fountain. The next day, this action was on the front page of the paper - apparently a protest against a local film festival (?!))
All around, Italian life goes on, people buy bread, drink coffee, do deals, and talk, talk, talk ...
Our experience of Rome was so rich because we were welcomed into the homes of friends (old ones for Andy, new ones for Em) and their families. Barbara (pictured above and below) and Benedetta (below), besides being beautiful people, are excellent tour guides, and interpreted their city for us with real flair and passion - the Italian way.
We have so many beautiful memories of these few days.
2 comments:
Another glorious city, you lucky travellers.
But you need wander no more - the little weasel they call John Howard is out. No more PM and McKew got his seat. The icing on the cake is that it looks like the Greens have the balance of power in the senate. You can come home now xxx
What an amazing trip!
Our mutual friend Patrick pointed me to your blog.
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