The other day, I set out to do some sightseeing and decided I’d take the 44 bus towards Piazza Venezia. Apparently, the straight-shoot tram also could have taken me to the same destination, but my route calculator told me to take the 44 bus, so I did. I don’t fight with the route calculator, because it knows more than I do, believe me. Little did I know that the 44 bus would take me through the hills of Roma giving me one of the most picturesque landscape views I’ve ever seen. It happened so quickly that I didn’t even have time to take a picture, but believe me when I tell you that I am taking that bus again, sitting at the front, and snapping pictures with reckless abandon.
Upon arriving to Piazza Venezia transit station, the first thing I saw was the monstrosity that is Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II (National Monument of Victor Emmanuel II) [shown below]. A taxi driver I had the other week was telling me that Romans actually do not like this monument for a few reasons: 1. It’s “new,” having been constructed a mere 200 years ago. (Which is actually hilarious, because in America, we’re amazed when there is architecture still standing from the 1930′s or 1940′s!); 2. It’s so massive that it has changed the entire downtown center of Roma and, I think this goes without saying, that Romans are not, as a whole, completely okay with change. Colosseo was finished in 80 AD. EIGHTY A. DEE! That’s honestly so old, I can’t even fathom how old that is.
Here’s the thing with Rome, especially the downtown area: Everywhere you look, you are convinced you are looking at something so famous and notable that you must take a picture. Even though, you have no idea what it is. Because, seriously, everything looks like a sacred monument or basilica (church) or at least something that is notorious. I had to buy a tourist book with pictures, just so I could actually know if what I was looking at was that famous basilica, or just one that is absolutely AMAZING and gorgeous.
It can get overwhelming, because everything here is just so breathtaking that I can’t even believe it exists. I’m waiting for the Disneyland crew to come out and say, “Just kidding! This isn’t real. We made it forty years ago. Gotcha!” I mean, LOOK AT THIS:
That’s just a random street. And a random church. Have you ever seen something so beautiful that you want eighteen more eyeballs just to soak it in? That’s how I feel when I go exploring in Rome. I’m simultaneously in awe, in love, overwhelmed, emotional, and so passionately struck by the architecture, the colors, the detail, and the richness that is Roman art.
In the tourist areas, there’s nothing cheesy about the businesses. Sure, there are some shops that have maps, postcards, etc, but you don’t see “I <3 ROME” shirts or anything that chintzy. The restaurants operate and look the same throughout the city, whether you’re at Piazza Navona or right in the heart of residential Monteverde. The raw and powerful authenticity of the Romans is beyond anything I’ve ever experienced and if I could bottle it up and take it with me in my pocket, I would.
Tourism is different here. Believe me, at any given time, the sights to see (and there are so many here!) are littered with tourists from every country imaginable, speaking a buffet of languages. But, there’s nothing annoying or frustrating about it, because the tourism here is not exploited like it is in so many other places. People are here to experience Roma as it is, not as a tourist trap, filled with the general cheesiness usually perpetuated by popular destinations.
It’s almost like the Romans are saying, “Come! See the beauty of our city, but respect it as it is and acclimate to our customs. Feel at home, because we’re not going to compromise our integrity to bring in more profit.” (They would say it in Italian, of course!) It’s so prominent and obvious that the relationship Romans have with their city is one of a sweet and passionate love affair, filled with an unending amount of respect and admiration. You can’t help but feel the same way.
And, really, I have no idea how you couldn’t be completely infatuated with this city. It’s so striking that I want to both fall in love WITH it and IN it. Because, somehow, amidst the tourism and the best coffee I’ve ever had in my entire life, I’ve become the most romantic person. I hardly recognize myself, these days and I’m beginning to think this ain’t such a bad thing…
The roof of the Pantheon and the key to heaven, apparently.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you for the loverly pictures and bits about Roma. I am missing it desperately. Spent a month there this summer, and will hopefully be coming back this late winter/early spring. Wonder what’s up at the Risorgimento? It wasn’t all covered with blue tarps when I was there — yet more restoration, I guess
I especially love the photo of the street with the rainy cobblestones. How I would love to see Roma in the rain, and just wander the streets with my ragazzo.
Grazie!
You are making me want to hop right on a plane and get over there. Your descriptions are beautiful, and that sounds like a fabulous place!
SO glad you are enjoying (understatement) your time in Roma. I was there years ago – wish we’d had more time to explore. Hope you get to see some of the other cities, too. Florence is TO DIE FOR.
I love how much you’re falling for the city. Just wait ’til you see the rest of Europe – it’s pretty much all like that! Well, except for Birmingham. And Hull.
Isn’t it funny how much your environment shapes your experience, your attitude and even your ability? People often forget how important environment is.
More power to you Jamie, keep lapping it all up.
Now I know where I have to go on my next big trip.
simply beautiful description of your experiences. Love the pictures as well. What kind of camera are you using?
I had a similar feeling walking through Paris. I went during the summer so it was understandably busy and yet because every corner you turn seems to hold some beautiful statue, some ancient carving, some relic, so it didn’t seem nearly as crowded. You can actually walk right up to these pieces of history and be all alone. Except the Mona Lisa. There you’re standing with a couple of hundred photo-snapping, fanny-pack wearing art critics and there is no getting away from it.
This was great reading! I loved your excitement and you sound EXACTLY like I did when I was in Rome. I couldn’t believe that around every corner there was another amazing, and unbelievably old structure. I already miss it and I was just there in April! Can’t wait to go back!
Wow, it sounds beautiful! I have traveled a lot in my life from growing up in Southeast Asia, but I have never been to Rome. I think I have fallen half in love with it already from reading this post.
Hi Lovey,
Now you know why I want to travel so much and I became such a history buff. After you fall in love with places like Rome, Capri, Paris, St. Tropez, England and other places, you appreciate art and history at a more intense level. Your desciptions of what you see are so beautiful, moving and are great insights. It is what I want to say when I look at these great sites but I just can’t put the beauty I am seeing into words like you. I want to go back to ROME! Pick me up at the airporto pronto!!!! Ciao Bella!!!