The Chaos of Rome

Watching Italy and Brazil at the Confederations Cup, it strikes me that the way Italy plays soccer is a lot like Rome operates. It's messy, it looks disorganized, it even stinks at times. But every now and then, it reveals its brilliance and beauty and you can only shake your head in admiration. Fantastico!
PS: Italy lost 4-2, but they lost with gusto!

We are in Rome!

We are in Rome! Quite an experience getting to this place . . . An overnight ferry from Barcelona with delays at both ends, a train ride from the port town of Civitavecchia, finding our way out of Roma Termini (the city's main train station) and a short walk (thankfully!) to our hotel.  It was all worth it when we stood in front of the Colosseum yesterday, marvelling at that ancient structure. I was overcome with emotion, recognizing that we are walking on the same ground as early followers of the Christian Way. Even with the throngs of people, the 35C heat, and the street vendors hawking everything from parasols to hats, to cold, bottled water, the Colosseum and Ancient Forum are impressive sights. For me, this trip is the realization of a dream I have had for more than 30 years. I keep stopping and reminding myself, "We're in Rome!"
Today we rode a very crowded subway (the phrase 'packed like sardines' comes to mind) to Vatican City. We decided against the Museum and Sistine Chapel (the lines are crazy long) and chose to spend our time in St. Peter's Square and the Basilica. I have seen some pretty impressive cathedrals in Britain and New York but St. Peter's blows them all away! It is the size as much as anything that is so impressive. Michelangelo's artwork is also incredible to behold. Today we got an early start and so were back to our hotel shortly after 13:00 for siesta and to get out of the heat of midday. Later we will follow a self-guided 'Heart of Rome' walk (thanks Rick Steves) that will take us from the Campo de' Fiori to the Spanish Steps with stops along the way at the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain. We're also counting on a stop for gelato.
The first two photos below are different views of the Colosseum and the next photos show the columns around the sides of St. Peter's, the front of the Basilica, and the altar  (7 stories high).
Enjoy!
Susan

Sailing on the Mediterranean

Today we are on the MV Cruise Roma, floating along the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. We left Barcelona, a happening place with the best bus, train, taxi and subway system we've ever experienced. Our boat acts as a ferry for vehicles but serves the passengers as a cruise ship. There are many cabins, a cafeteria, casino, restaurants, arcade and more. I crushed my dad in an air hockey game, making me the champion air hockey player in my family. No injuries were sustained, despite our efforts to fling the puck all over the room. Our cabin has 4 beds, a desk and table, and a bathroom (with shower)and a closet!     We are on our way to Rome, via the port of Civitavecchia. Looking forward to seeing the Colosseum and many Lamborghinis and Ferraris. So exciting! Ciao!

Beautiful Barcelona

My doctoral studies taught me a basic distinction: a tourist travels to confirm what s/he already knows; a pilgrim is party to revelation, to discovering something beyond the realm of what they've previously understood. So it has been for us in Barcelona. Where Montpellier was cool, hip, charming, understated, with a certain insouciance, Barça is bold, brash, busy and (appropriate to it's history) surreal. The thing which stands out for me most is the sense of community consciousness. Where art in other places is largely privatized, here it is built into the public realm. Wherever I look, I am struck by beauty, particularly in architecture. When the English Prince, Charles Windsor, criticized the aridness of much modern architecture in Britain (and reaped a whirlwind of criticism for his opinion), he may have been thinking of Barcelona. Much of it is magnificent and available to all of us walking along. On a more prosaic note, the community sense is reflected in public cleanliness. Crews of street cleaners are always at work. Garbage is deposited in communal dumpsters at the end of the street and emptied every evening, and sorted into recyclables and non. In short, this time in Barcelona has reminded me that, as a North American, I am we'll served by looking to the best of our European roots for guidance in public consciousness.

Livin' in the City

Even though Montpellier is our first love, we are finding new things to love about Barcelona with each passing day. When we arrived on Friday night we made our way down to the Ramblas which is like a much bigger version of Government Street at the height of summer. It's a 1 km pedestrian stroll with all kinds of vendors and street performers along the way. Today we spent more time in the Barri Gotic which is the old Gothic area. Amazing building facades and narrow side streets. We visited the Picasso Museum today and gained some insight into Picasso's process and insight.

What I'm recognizing most, though, is how different urban living is compared to living in the country. One of the things I appreciate is the amount of choice there is in products. Here, we have also found the presentation of wares to be so much more appealing than at home. Everywhere we go, there are amazing shops selling all kinds of products, many very different from what we have at home. There are very few mega-stores and very many stores that specialize in one or two things . . . And they are plentiful (especially bakeries). We love the charcuteries, and green grocers, and seafood markets, and especially the gelato parlours.