As we drove to the monastery the first thing I noticed was graffiti everywhere. And I do mean everywhere. Either they have alot of gangs, teens with time on their hands, or find this as a form of art. We pulled up to the monastery, checked in and headed for the elevator. OR...what I like to call an oversized MRI machine. No air flow, very small, we barely fit with our luggage. I felt like I needed a valium every time I got in...haha Our last day in Rome we got stuck in this elevator. It landed on the main floor but wouldn't open. We stood there pushing buttons. Nothing ! We tried the "phone" button. Nothing ! We then proceeded to bang on the door. Nothing ! Finally Doug pried the door open and we stepped down to the lobby area (it got stuck about a foot from the bottom floor....NICE !)
You quickly realized when walking that "road rules" were not the same as the US. It's a total free for all. There are pedestrian markings, but rarely heeded to. Cars drive through neighborhoods or alley's as if they were on the freeway. Motorcycles and scooters crowd the road, weaving in and out of traffic and around people. When I've watched movies where they are going down narrow alleys, speeding along....I now know that they didn't make that stuff up. Compact cars & motor bikes show up in the narrowest of alleys nearly pinning you against the wall to prevent from being hit. This is also interesting considering cafe's line the alleys and sidewalks.
Even with all of that going on, you can't miss the beauty of Rome. You look around to see old buildings full of so much character, worn, weathered. The roads are cobblestone. Shutters are outside of every window, flower boxes full of flowing greenery & flowers line the balconies. (the first thing I did when arriving in our room was to throw open the shutters. We also left them open at night when we got back to enjoy the street chatter of the locals having a good time.) It's interesting that outside of alot of windows you will see two hooks on either side to place a rod or rope. I saw that some people hang their clothes on here to dry. Very resourceful !
Our monastery was more or less in a neighborhood (about 5 blocks from the Vatican). I loved that we made this choice. In the mornings, and early evenings, you would hear the restaurant workers shout down the street to locals walking along, or greeting them in the morning when they came in for coffee. We had a bakery down the street that every time you passed their doors (even when they were closed) the kitchen door would be swung open and you would see them in there rolling dough, baking....The smell alone made it worthwhile to walk by.
To get lost in a city of this size would be like getting lost in Chicago....but you can't speak the language. We spent one day hopping off trains, onto buses, onto trains....trying to find our way around. It took almost a good two days before we learned the bus system and how it worked.
We loved the history, the stories. In fact, we couldn't take pics of it but we saw where the Apostle Peter was buried. It was amazing. Glassed in, it looked like an enormous marble mausoleum. It was beautiful. The depths this city has gone to in honoring Christ, the Apostles, and Christianity is amazing.
Rome is beautiful in the day, but the night is when it comes alive. Cafe's are lit with mood lighting, they line the sidewalks. One right after another. The tables are so close together you might as well be sitting with strangers. Our last day in Rome was just such a case. We sat between a Canadian couple and an Australian couple. We chatted (enjoyed the fact we were all English speaking..haha) It was fun ! One thing I learned on this trip was Australian people are SUPER friendly ! Makes me want to go visit there! =)
It's not unusual for people to just walk up while you are eating trying to sell you flowers, or scarves, or play a flute or accordion (for tips). If you are eating on the Piazza you will see streets acts, people spray painting pictures while you watch, singing groups...... No lack of entertainment !
Italian food, Pizzeria's, gelato (coconut might be my favorite) , cannoli.....all are just a few things you will eat in Rome. Water fountains are more like water spickets. You can lean over and drink straight from it or always carry a water bottle. I drank more water than anything while there. Coffee's are about two swallows and you're done. It feels like you are having a pretend tea party with little girls ! haha
If you've never considered Rome, I'm here to tell you that you should. My friend asked me to describe it in one word. The only thing that came to mind was "ambience". It's all about personality, atmosphere and character.
I threw a coin in Trevi Fountain hoping to return one day ! Let's hope wishes really do come true =)
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