Roma, ItalyThe Two-and-one-half-Thousand-Year-Old “Eternal City”
In the next few Listening on the Journey … blog posts, I will share with you some aspects of our 4-week European adventure beginning today with Rome, a huge city that has taken up residence in a small but special space in my soul.
There is an ancient saying that “All roads lead to Rome.” This was true literally in Rome’s ancient days. The Romans had developed a sophisticated system of roads and highways, and each led to the powerful capital city. Nowadays, this statement has become a figurative expression, which reminds us that if we keep doing the same thing over and over again, we will keep experiencing the same result.
Our recent European adventure began in Rome, and I fell in love with this vibrant city. While I truly love living in the quiet little hamlet of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, something inside me enlivens when I’m in a big city. On some deep level, the energy, throngs of people, diversity, and even chaotic traffic and continual noises feel familiar and strangely comfortable.
Ron and I walked up and down the narrow sidewalks of dozens of streets in Rome that looked much like this. I have an awful sense of direction and tend to get easily lost, distracted in the moment. Thankfully, Ron is diligent about keeping track of where we are going, and he was impressed with how well GPS worked!
Doors and windows fascinate me, and at my behest, Ron is always on the lookout for an interesting one to photograph.
Behind every door and window lies a story, and in an ancient city such as Rome, I can only imagine the many tales!
Speaking of doors. While everything in Europe seems old, we found the buildings in which we stayed comfortable and convenient. This is the tiny elevator we took to our cozy lodging at a Bed & Breakfast (called Guest House) in the heart of Rome where we spent five nights. Big enough for only two adults and a piece of luggage, the elevator was efficient, and we welcomed it at the end of a busy day of sightseeing.
While my fascination was with doors, windows, and stories, Ron was impressed by the myriad of tiny cars and motor scooters lining the streets and darting in and out of Rome’s heavy traffic.
Ron also enjoyed photographing colorful shop windows.
Those silly tourists!!
Finally, I am saving the best until last! Rome boasts more fountains than any other city in the world. The most beautiful is Fontana di Trevi. The famous Trevi Fountain, a magnificent Baroque sculpture, was built in the 18th Century. Truly, it is amazing!
Thousands of tourists visit the Trevi Fountain each day. Finally, on our third visit, I located a little opening from which I could toss my coins without whapping someone in the head. A stranger—from who knows where—joins me in the coin toss. Later, I learned we tossed incorrectly. The myth instructs a visitor to toss her coin with the right hand over her left shoulder to ensure she will one day return. I hope my blunder does not mean I will never again be able to visit Rome.
(Note: Periodically, the coins are cleaned out of the fountain and donated to charitable programs such as the Red Cross.)
Caio! (meaning “rejoice” and “happy”),
