Leaving Italy for Arizona is again, a difficult good bye. Italy resonates with my soul. I find something new every day…learn something, see something, smile at my neighbors…it’s a long list. Maybe because it is all new, not sure…but something!!
Spending the day in Rome is such a treat! I’ve done most of the ‘touristy’ places, some more than once. And I have my favorite places. One very special places is St Peter’s Basilica and the Square.
At Christmas, there is a huge display of Nativity scenes by Italian artists. It is amazing. I went last year and was astounded. It’s a free display and well worth the time. So last Monday there I was making my way to St Peter’s. The train was full. The underground Metro was full. And St Peter’s was unbelievable! Police of all kinds (Carabinieri, Guardia di Finanza, Military, Roma Capitale Polizie…) were everywhere! There are over 300,000 officers, the highest number of any European country in the European Union. There are 5 national police forces and two local police forces. Be still my heart! And they were out in full force for this day of respect and remembrance and gratitude.
Pope Benedict XVI was lying ‘in state’ in St Peter’s Basilica and over 200,000 people went through metal detectors and security to line up, walk past him, and pay their respects. I am not catholic and did not get in the line. I felt it more important to stay out of the way and be respectful to all.
Some people see events and landmarks as checkmarks. I don’t. I go to places I am truly interested in enjoy the moment. Of course going on this particular day was a challenge that I didn’t know in advance. And I would have gone anyway. It was an amazing event of quiet people being respectful and sad as they waited patiently their turn.
The Nativity displays were wide open with few visitors and simply awesome!
There is a local cafe/wine bar that is away from St Peter’s but not far – that I have been to before. De Penitenziere. Perfect for a cappuccino and a Tiramisu! Across from an old old hospital that is still operating! I passed a barred window with a rotating tiny building – in the old days, unwanted babies were placed in it and there was a separate place to ‘drop’ a note about the child. Both very old but obvious as to what they were.
From there, I ambled towards Piazza Venezia to say my internal ciao to a favorite place. I walked through Campo di Fiori and past the Cat Sanctuary in a large ruin! And so many churches. Over 900+ in Rome! Gorgeous overwhelming churches. One I noticed has such a large cupola – I just had to see what it was inside. Wow. Stunning of course.
I stepped in a few stores, small family owned ones as they all are. A tiny hardware store had some tea light candles I needed and an adorable old couple running the store. I’d have bought something more there but carrying it home is a chore! They let me take their photo.
Christmas decorations are everywhere and quite lovely. Streets lit up with overhead lights. I walked down streets unknown to me. Over 6 miles in all! Rome is easy to walk and so enjoyable.
Seeing the golden lit Christmas tree in Piazza Venezia was lovely and a fitting way to say ‘ciao’ til May. I got on a bus to Roma Termini and then to my train. Long day but great fun.
I’ll see Florence before I depart. There is a special parade on the 6th (end of Christmas) with horses that sounds really cool! And who doesn’t love walking around Florence???
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