| Page Views: 19,932 Last Visit to Rome: January, 2007 I Visit Here Frequently | In Rome With Nathalie by Ciambella - last update: Jan 4, 2007 |
|  | Though I visit the city very often, I could never be a tour guide in Rome.
I know Rome is the Eternal City because of her history, but the sense of eternity I've experienced is built solely on my own relationship with her.
One day, at Foro Romano, I saw the afternoon sun hit the bricks and pour its liquid gold on the hair of a lone woman. She was perched on a rock with her back against the wall, quietly reading a book, completely oblivious to the throng of tourists traversing the ruins around her. I was deeply touched when I saw her shadow dance over the same path where centuries ago, other women had sat and wondered how the empire could ever fall. |
| | At Basilica di San Pietro, thousands of people have stretched their fingers to touch the end of a cross. It's been touched so much that it has a mirror-like sheen; if you tilt your head just right, you can see your reflection in it. When I saw myself in the end of that cross, a chill ran through my spine and I couldn't hold myself back from shaking.
I sat very still in the church of Santa Maria della Vittoria with my eyes half-closed to ignore Bernini's carefully crafted lighting. I felt the inward emotion of Santa Teresa d'Avila without artifice and without prompting. Seeing with my own eyes rather than Bernini's is the best way I know to view that sculpture. |
| | At Santa Maria degli Angeli, there is an exact tile where I can stand and feel physically a part of the church. The church engulfs me entirely and includes me within it.
I remember standing on the steps of Santi Vincenzo ed Anastasio, looking at Fontana di Trevi at 6:30 on a rainy morning. Without the coins at the bottom of the fountain, the water was purer than it could ever be.
I remember many Sunday afternoons before a high school football game when I was struck by the lack of sound and lack of tourists along perfectly still streets in a neighbourhood in Trastevere. There were only my footsteps to be heard and a few stray cats to be seen.
There are hundreds of little things like that all over the city, that's how I know Rome and that's how I love Rome. I will never be able to earn a dime pretending to be a tour guide, but the way I see it, you need to know Rome by yourself and to love her for yourself, not from what others show you how. |
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 Comments for Ciambella about Rome | | | | |
Paisleypaul Sun Jun 7, 2009 11:30 UTC
Tremendous Rome pages, really like how easy it is for us all to discover our own little niches for cafes and ristorante. Can't believe it's been nearly 3 years - we'll be back by ferragosto | jbrown8512 Sun Apr 12, 2009 18:42 UTC
I have seen similar. This is their "job" and no human kindnesses are included. They are afraid you'll get a picture. | HotCarpaccio Fri Jan 2, 2009 11:16 UTC
Roman taxi drivers including the authentic ones are generally crooked. They often travel extra distances, or try to short change you. They were the single worst thing about our stay. | mareilla Fri Dec 12, 2008 10:57 UTC
Mom and I often went to Cafe Greco to star gaze. We were most enchanted by the spectre of an aging Maestro Di Chirico ensconsed on the love seat reviewing the drawing portfolios of the eager young artists as he took his morning coffee. |
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