Goethe wrote upon arriving in Rome and taking up lodgings in a wee apartment on the Via Corso, "I am finally in this capital of the world!" But of course he was living in those glorious days before tedious concepts like eurocentrism existed. Sigh.
I have arrived in this glorious capital that is full of contradictions. Splendid, yet dreadful, like any large city. Full of miracles, yet full of noise, garbage, graffiti and endless tchotchkes, mostly made in China, some harmless, others a bit vulgar involving calendars featuring partially clothed, rather handsome priests. Rome is a wonder! So extraordinary. Full of beauty, art, history and ....Italians, whom I just adore for their nonchalant fabulousness.
The trip here was seamless. No problems at all, with the exception of being a little late out of Chicago. Only 30 minutes! But it was enough to get our plane bumped from a real 'port' in Fiumicino. Thus, we had to disembark on the Tarmac of Shame, a lonely place well away from the terminal. It is quite the experience to walk down the stairs from a Boeing 787 Dreamliner on to the asphalt and make your way cheerfully over to a bus that carts you and your fellow 300 passengers to the terminal for "processing."
The only hiccup, really. I was at my hotel by 10:30, exhausted. I dropped my bags and went out to amuse myself for 4 hours while my room was being readied.
The Barberini is always a good place to spend a couple of hours, so I walked there and took another look at their permanent collection as well as the special exhibit of works by Bernini, the favored art of Pope Urban VIII (Matteo Barberini). Glorious marble statuary, drawings, sketches.
Then a walk to a little trattoria that I frequent. Campari Spritz, a 'toast' and a salad.
From there, back to my hotel where I collapsed on the bed.....
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