Of Pizza, Gelato, and Old Stuff

On Tuesday afternoon, after checking out the East Side Gallery in Berlin, we flew to Rome. We've been fearing this stop almost to the point of dread, since Joe has been reading stories online about people being robbed blind by the gypsies, particularly in the area where our hotel is. We took every precaution we could think of: a money belt for Joe, a small purse shoved into the bra for me, and the phone and passports tucked inside my socks, leggings, pants, and boots, all at the same time. No, it is not cool enough in Rome to justify all those layers. Yes, I would like another glass of cold water. Thank you.

East side gallery, Berlin

 I am happy to say that we have not lost a thing in Rome -- not so much as a ticket stub left in a pocket has gone missing. Then again, we have been extras ordinarily cautious!

As a side note, if you are curious about why I said we didn't lose anything in Rome instead of "on this trip," it's because I left my razor in London. Now, a week later, my legs are very European and I have perfected my wookiee yell.

I am very much looking forward to finally doing laundry in Florence tomorrow night. It's our first -- and probably only -- laundry day. Let's face it: we stink and could've used the laundry night a couple days ago, but we just don't feel good about it in Rome. No reason to push our good luck!

Apart from being cautious and overly fearful, Rome has been an amazing experience. I'll be honest though: while I love exploring Ancient Rome and Renaissance Rome, I'm not the world's biggest fan of nowadays Rome... Except the gelato. Gelato makes everything better. When we landed in Rome, I was very surprised at the third world country feel of it. I actually, in real life, went to the US government health site to verify that the water was safe to drink before I had any. I also sang a rousing verse of "JAI HO!!!" when we arrived in our hotel room. You know, from Slumdog Millionaire? 

It's not the poverty that I don't like about Rome, it's the aggression of the impoverished. That's why it's unsafe to carry valuables in your pocket. People steal, people use kids as beggars. People shove purses, shawls, and maps in your face trying to get you to buy them. If you ignore these people, they yell at you like you stole their money... And to them, I'm sure that's how it feels. The absolute worst was Naples. I loved Pompeii and Vesuvius, but we had to go through Naples to get there, and it was kinda my low point. I finally broke down after walking through it for a while. I lost a tiny bit of control over my year ducts, and called the place "sh*taly." Please note that I was also very hangry. 30 minutes later when I was fed and safe in the train station, I simultaneously felt sorry for my swear and thought I was really funny for it.

I don't hate Rome, guys! I realize I just spent multiple paragraphs ranting about it, but it's true. It was actually worth it. Now that I've described the one negative, I'll give you all of the many reasons that it's been worth a visit: 

1) I already said this, but Pompeii and Vesuvius were incredible. We saw some smoke or steam coming out of the crater...! I may have gently soiled my last pair of underwear right then. That has yet to be determined though, since I am writing this from the train back from Naples to Rome and haven't been to a bathroom yet.

Temple in Pompeii with Vesuvius looking on

At the rim of Vesuvius!

2) Ancient Rome and the Colosseum. I walked on roads and through buildings that are over 2,000 years old. That's true of Pompeii too, but it's the Roman ruins and Colosseum where that really hits you... What amazing architects those people were.

 

The Colosseum at night

3) The Sistine Chapel. There are many pieces of art that you've seen and heard about all your life, but when you see them in real life, you think "Yep, there it is... It looks just like it did in my high school textbook..." The Sistine chapel is different. It honestly took my breath away. The Last Judgment piece of it was particularly moving. I'm not a Catholic, but I am a Christian... And even if you are neither, I challenge you to feel nothing in that room. Good luck with that.

4) Gelato, pizza, and gelato. Also, gelato.

 

Mmmm, pizza...

Those have been the highlights. We also visited St. Peter's basilica, which was really cool. I found the Pieta moving too... It's Michelangelo, man. He really pulls on my heart threads.

The Pieta

Well, until Florence... Ciao!

Rome from the top of the Vatican dome