The problem with having a history-buff for a husband is that what he finds fascinating and of interest often leaves me yawning. For example, the Colosseum. Terry could have stayed all day. Whereas, knowing that it's opening ceremony included the slaughter of 5000 animals and it's barbaric history of gladiators and blood and gore is something that I just assume avoid. However, to be a good sport, I did go along and amuse myself with the latest selfie craze. Everyone, everywhere is preoccupied with taking selfies! A few years ago, this would have seriously disturbed me but I found myself enjoying the ridiculousness of it all. Love this girl with her red lipstick and red beret.
Also Terry begged me to take selfies too! What's the saying, "When in Rome..."? Actually I did refuse at the Colosseum but relented on many later occasions. The funny thing is that my selfie-enthusiasm went down with every progressive shot until I'm practically scowling at the camera.
Also I remember in Paris the street hawkers who would try and sell little Eiffel tower replicas and how they could be very aggressive (and annoying.) In Rome, everyone is selling "selfie sticks." It's like a metaphor for our entire world. Look at me!!! I found this the most disturbing in Venice while watching people on their gondola rides. They didn't seem to enjoy the experience at all! They only enjoyed taking selfies of it.
I relished all the times I could find families enjoying time together or flowers growing amidst the ruins.
After visiting the Colosseum we walked around the Circus Maximus which was the sight of chariot races and contests of all sorts with many spectators. The sense of living history was remarkable. I only wish every high school student could visit these spots to make their history lessons come alive.
After a full morning of sight-seeing and much walking we strolled over a famous bridge into an area called Travesty. This is an authentic Italian neighborhood and had the feeling of being lived in and well-loved.
We got to experience going back in time and could settle into the rhythm of daily life in this ancient city. It was heavenly. We could have wandered the charming little lanes for a happy lifetime.
And what a relaxed and elegant sense of style both the men and women have.
Coming across children playing was always a highlight and I often lingered to savor the moment.
This old bookstore seemed to epitomize the old-fashioned life of simple pleasures. Also what's easy about traveling in a European country is the familiarity of traditions. Whereas, when I was in China, things were often so vastly different that I had no way to understand them. But a bookstore on a quiet and winding lane with children playing outside made me feel right at home.
Travesty is an area that I could see moving to. In fact, we met quite a few elderly women who were living their dream in Italy. So tempting to leave the hustle and bustle of life in the U.S. behind and return to a culture that truly appreciates the good life.
When we finally settled on a place to eat, we ended up having an amazing meal. Terry, of course, had a classic pizza. I ordered "seasonal vegetables" and was surprised and delighted to find they were sautéed dandelion greens. They were beautifully bitter. I ordered a rice ball to go with it and asked for a side of marinara sauce on the side. I might be the only person in history to ever visit Italy without eating any pizza, pasta, lasagna, meat, tiramisu, or other outrageous desserts. Fortunately, I was delighted with my lowly and lovely dandelion greens.
After they were all mushed together they were my best meal ever!!! Perfection!
After eating we spent the rest of the afternoon wandering the lanes before heading back to our flat.
Here a master craftsman carries on the tradition of carving wooden Pinocchios.
Stopping to enjoy all the specialty shops is definitely one of the highlights of this vacation.
Here's an example of a pasta made into a bowtie shape with green and red stripes. So beautiful!
