Roma!

Gino Ginelli Ice Creamo-Supremo!

It's 12.05 am and I'm sitting on the hotel bed 'listening' to Sam moaning about itchiness. It's been a long day, leaving home at 9.30 am, arriving at the hotel at 7pm and now finally resting our heads after an evening exploring the eternal city. Within 30 seconds of returning to the hotel Sam is asleep and snoring merrily in a very comfy bed indeed.

Upon arrival the taxi driver scared us witless as he seemingly couldn’t decide on a lane on the motorway and then began weaving in and out of traffic through the city centre with a nonchalant swagger and of course taking a round about route trying to run the meter. This will be the last time we get into a taxi before first agreeing the price. As we dodged the traffic I couldn’t help but notice at least a third of all the vehicles had some kind of dent or crash damage which is not surprising. As we rounded the corner we caught a breathtaking glimpse of the Colosseum. It is a strange feeling when you finally see such an iconic landmark that you have seen so much of on screen before hand.

Setting off on the first night we located the bus stop and headed for the city centre. Sampled some excellent salmon pizza and then embarked on an epic stroll to the Colosseum and back. The sun was setting an it was one of my favourite kind of evenings when the air is cool but you can feel it has been a hot day. As we walked we got a nice feel for the place and its atmosphere as the lights of Rome came on and vespers whizzed along the cobbled streets. The streets filled with the bustle of people gathering outside restaurants and bars. Enormous grand buildings with towering columns, palm trees, statues, monuments and the crumbling ruins of ancient Rome lined the route.

Oddly enough the roads don’t seem to be all that straight. The Colosseum is incredible by night. Lit up in cool white and drawing the eye as it towers ahead in the distance with its famous arches. On the road there we stumbled through some kind of drug fuelled procession of rave floats. The house music was pumping and it was a bit messy as people who were clearly a little worse for wear danced zombie like to the music and lurched worryingly towards us.

The next day it was time for some serious sight seeing and we explored a phenomenal amount of history and architecture. We re-traced our steps from the night before down the Via Nationale and past the perpetually guarded tomb of the unknown soldier to the upper level of the victory monument building or the great marble wedding cake as the locals call it. From here you could get some nice vistas and can look out at the Colosseum to the east and across the river Tiber to Vatican city in the south. After our descent we made our way towards the river and strolled along its banks to the castle.

Castel Sant’Angelo is definitely worth a visit. And parting with our 5 euros we started the climb to the summit. Sitting beside the river it offers yet more great panoramic views across Rome. From here we could clearly see Vatican city and St Peters church/Basillica di San Pietro, so we decided to pay a visit.

The sheer scale of St Peters has to be seen to be believed. Two vast semi-circular, columned corridors lead the way to the basilica and border St Peters square. Inside are fountains and seats laid out for the Wednesday morning address of the new pope Benedict XVI.

Nothing could have prepared me for the inside of St Peters. It is difficult to describe the enormity of it’s cavernous interior. My only comparison is the mythical realm of Dwarfindel form the Lord of the Rings. Completely filling what must be 200 feet high ceilings and walls are endless sculptures, paintings and inscriptions to add to the undoubtedly over the top grandeur. After spending some time gazing skyward we retired to a small restaurant down one of the side alleys. We enjoyed a nice jug of wine and some superb pasta and pizza in a friendly atmosphere, complete with a jolly singing owner.

The following evening, after another full day of sights we returned to the hotel, limbs aching after 10 hours of walking and clutching a bottle of wine and some cookies, purchased from the spar on the way home.

We had just enjoyed another fascinating day in the capital. Firstly spending a few hours wandering the endless corridors of the Vatican museum on route to the Sistine chapel. It is difficult to find words to describe the talent, effort and commitment of the artists who have created the masterpieces that fill the great museum. The masterfull painting of the Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo is on an incredible scale that must surely have taken years to complete.

There is not one bit of the chapel that is not covered in some sort of art, colour, material or mosaic. It really is quite overwhelming. There were no cameras allowed but to be honest there is no way you could capture the essence of the room with a picture. You just have to be there to appreciate it. Its hard to believe but its actually quite claustrophobic in there. I felt extremely small and as if all the art was weighing down on me in a way and although thouroughly impressed, it was a relief to push our way out of the chapel. We wandered through a few more rooms and found our heads swirling with art, tapestries, sculptures and mosaics. You really need to spend a week just in the Vatican if you want to really see it all. We headed off to clear our heads over some lunch.

After lunch we decided we would have a look at St Peters from a different perspective. This time from its mighty Cupola or dome if you prefer. From inside it looks down on the inner church and it’s surprisingly high up which you really notice when your gazing down upon the people milling about and realising they look no bigger than ants.

Yet more walking, this time past the fashionable shops of the famous Italian designers and along to the Spanish steps. On to the Pantheon and then a stroll in the afternoon sun with some fantastic Ice Cream. It has to be said if we remember one thing form this trip, Ice Cream would be it. The array of flavours and sheer quality is incredible.

Rome is definitely a sight seeing paradise. There are more buildings, ruins, monuments and galleries than you could stomach. The city is full of art and culture and the streets are packed with stalls overcharging as you would expect and numerous salesman trying to make the most of every opportunity. Sunglasses can easily turn into umbrellas just as quickly as the weather changes. Numerous traders lay out their wares on sheets outside all the tourist hot spots and can easily be scooped up and moved along if they hear of a better spot or if the poliza come by.

Italian food is very tasty and we found most places we tried to be reasonable value and very friendly. You don’t have to step too close to a restaurant before your hustled in and menus thrust into your hand.

Roma is undeniably beautiful with palm trees, beautiful fountains, cobbled streets and ancient church domes dominating the skyline. Add to this some lovely Mediterranean weather and you have a great place to spend a few days. Arrivederci Roma.

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