Roming (Sunburn Included)

Buongiorno!!


At Torre pendente di Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
30 April 2009

It's May! I cannot believe it's May!

Another fantastic day in the European life. First stop: the Flavian Ampitheatre, better known as the COLISEUM. Very cool. It's not every day that I get to wake up and go to one of the greatest landmarks in Europe. If only. The sun was high by mid-morning and initiated the beginning of what was to be an impressive sunburn. I strolled around ancient Rome — unbelievable when you take a moment to think about it, that all of the ruins are real and not some Disney plastic; I feel like I'm looking for a roller coaster or a sign with a height requirement. No! It's all legit: The Forum, Coliseum, arches and pillars, etc. Older than dust and still kicking!

By late afternoon it was scorching. There was a gelato stop somewhere between roaming and roaming (where I discovered that half a bag of chocolate covered raisins had begun to melt in my purse), then a visit to the glorious Pantheon. By this time an afternoon siesta was most definitely in order. I think I'd logged on about 10 miles by midday, and 30 minutes of nap did the trick to reload. I was out wandering around by 1730.

One thing about Rome, or Italy in general — an observation of walking solo on the streets as well as with others: the Italian men are certainly not shy. They will make noises at you, or conversation, or just a simple "ciao, bella" in passing. The people, too, are aggressive. There is no such thing as a queue, and 'sorry' or 'excuse me' are hard to come by in a crowd. Space is invaded. I was waiting in line for a toilet the other day at an Italian rest stop, and literally had a headache from listening to the many Italian women bicker, their mouths like tapes rewinding as they shoved their way to a stall.

This evening was exceptional. Pizza and wine at an outdoor pizzeria, and then on to Concerto del Primo Maggio a Roma, a massive concert held on 01 May — Italy's celebration of Labour Day. There were hundreds of thousands there — a giant gathering if I've ever seen one — and many libations, music, and chaos. There was a famous Italian singer performing when we arrived, though his name escapes me. More gelato after the concert, and back home. I feel it was a successful day.

In the midst of updating I realized I left a gap in the week's events. We spent Wednesday traveling from Avignon, France to the cozy coastal town of Cavi de Lavagna, Italy, where we spent one evening. Our hotel was a block from the water, so my fellow travelers and I made a quick escape to the beach after settling in. It was absolutely liberating to dip my toes in the Mediterranean and jump along the shores. The water wasn't too chilly and the waves were surfable. Everyone was thoroughly satisfied. After dinner we returned to the beach to watch the sunset, and attempted to build a fire (unsuccessful). Cavi was also the place where I witnessed a lemon tree for the first time (until this I'd wholeheartedly believed that lemons replenished themselves in grocery store baskets, and in fact, did not grow anywhere).

Tomorrow I am visiting Vatican City, and who knows where else I'll "Rome" — HAHA! I most definitely love this place.

Mamma mia! CIAO (I need to work on some new phrases)

jenny


PS: I know it's a little late, but I've just posted on my adventures in Ireland. Read on, you crazy diamonds!