Never a bad day in ROME !
Soaking up the sunshine and enjoying the day by revisiting some of the “forever” sights. I made a big circle starting at Piazza del Popolo. My initial plan to visit Villa Borghese changed by the time I got there (until next time, Villa Borghese!). I realized I didn’t feel like spending this beautiful day in one place. I wanted to walk, breathe and blend in with the city. So I walked past Villa Medici, admired the frescoes inside Trinita dei Monti, went down the Spanish steps, circled Fontana della Barcaccia and zigzagged my way to Fontana Di Trevi, passed the never ending line at the Pantheon, spent some time in Piazza Navona and ended by Tiber River. It was all as beautiful as I remembered it, still the same! Well, almost all the same.
My biggest surprise and little disappointment came at the Spanish Steps. They looked kind of “sterile” and I kept hearing the sound of a whistle. Silly me, I thought it was a tour group get-together signal. Until I saw a police officer pointing… at me!! It took me a while to realize what it meant. Then I got it! I was baffled to see the police actively patrolling and blowing the whistle at anyone attempting to sit on the steps. I remember years ago sitting there and taking a family photo, along with many love birds and other families. Apparently in 2017 the rule has changed. After redoing them, the stairs were declared a monument and no one is allowed to eat, drink or sit on them. I’m still trying to make sense of how anything that’s meant to be walked on can be damaged by sitting (no objections about the eating and drinking part!), but rules are rules, so if you decide to recreate the iconic picture of sitting on the steps, have your camera ready and be quick, or be prepared to pay a fine. Depending on the source of information the fine ranges from €250 up to €450 and judging by the almost constant sound of the whistle, they are pretty serious in enforcing it! To be honest, I liked the place better before, with the flower baskets on the middle dividers and sides all the way from top to bottom, with the hundreds of people sitting on the steps enjoying the view and each other’s company -it was a meeting place, full of life, buzzing and romantic. Now it’s just stairs, its charm- all gone, another historic place stripped of its soul. Fair enough, the rule only applies to the 136 steps, so you can still enjoy the view at the top by Trinita dei Monti or hang out at the bottom by Fontana di Barcaccia.
Never a bad day in Rome! it’s so full of life that even if you are alone, you never really feel alone! In a way, walking alone is better. The city takes you in and carries you through, it makes you a part of a different time! It takes you out of your headspace and daily worries, rejuvenates your soul!
One important thing to keep in mind- there’s always something happening in Rome! I’m usually good at this, but I missed a big one this time – Andrea Bocelli live at St.Peter’s Square. I’m still bummed about it, but it’s a lesson to remember and a note to self: ALWAYS ask the concierge at the hotel or check the calendar of events online for important happenings wherever you are!!
#italy, #italia, #rome, #europetravel, #onedaylist, #theonedaylist,