In Rome

At the end of my second full day in Rome...

I'm at a youth hostel which is quite hilarious since I'm far from youth. The next oldest is a young man 34 tops. We talked a couple times before realizing we both were from NC. He's from Sanford, only a hop skip and jump from little old New Hill; he attended NC State as well. It's always a small world.

Adaptability and flexibility are key in a hostel. JUDGE NOT helps also. I was on the top bunk for two nights. I was grumpy for a split second but know what? I liked it so much I almost opted to stay put for the next four nites. But didn't. Tonite I sleep in the lowlands with only the high frescoed ceiling above. What a city of plaster artists!

Today included the Sistine Chapel. It is magnificent to see because I waited decades to see it. Though behind plexiglass, the Pieta was wonderful with Mary's face younger than the son she holds.

Yesterday's favorite was Bernini's sculpture The Rape of Persephone at the Galleria Borghese. The agony in her face. The press of his fingers into her feminine flesh is captured in the hardness of marble, her dimpled skin soft against the force of his muscular capture and intention. It reeks with pain and fear.

I sat down on a park bench for 20 minutes. A handsome Italian man rides up on his bike, white gauze shirt blowing in the breeze. A necklace and one earring. His hair is free and curled. We talk until my ticketed time at the museum and agree to meet after. I could not make this up! He is an expert in Rome history and culture and loves Americans. His WWII father taught him to love America because after the war, the United States gave money to rebuild Italy and other countries. Thus, we connected since my father was a WWII vet also. As an aside, he's also into aromatherapy and massage. I could have had a full spa treatment. I chose not.

He gave a walking tour of the Popolo Piazza with historical and cultural information a private tour guide would deliver. Also, Angelo gave a tour of Rome in his car. No, I did not go home with him which was down the Appian Way. I was dropped off at the Colliseum and walked home. I can navigate with a map and pair of glasses, even in the dark.

I laugh at myself, what/how I choose to do things. I'm in a room with three 20-something girls and it works. I don't play a role. I let them be.

I don't know how to get pics on blog from my Droid. Rome without pictures is bland. I am sorry.

I made three bloopers today. I woke up late because sleep was off and on, mostly off. I had a scheduled time of 10:30am at the Necropolis, the crypts under the Basilica, including St. Peters. I made it but had to take a taxi. I was charged two times too much. Then, the absolute worst, I have already lost one pair of reading glasses. I cannot read the maps without them! The quality of my day depends on 1.50 magnifiers from The Dollar Store. For the whole trip, I have only brought three. In three days, I am down to two.

Two gelatos already. I am eating terrible because NO GREENS. I am skimping on restaurant food to keep cost down. One Euro is about $1.50 so a £3 gelato would be $4.50. I look for £2 gelatos.

I've been walking everywhere but today took my first bus ride home from the Vatican. Squishy and hot and I could have been fined because I didn't validate the bus ticket. I entered through the wrong door Rick Steves. I can't remember a thing I read!!