Roma

This is my second visit to Rome. The first time I was there was about 5 years ago. I came with my husband on a business trip. We were here for a week. He would work all day, and I would shop, eat, and admire the beautiful architecture. Then in the evenings, we'd have a business dinner to attend. I was finally able to show him, very quickly, the following Saturday — a little snippet of Rome. We raced by fountains, shops, and piazzas, and then had to fly home the following day. So, this time we are here for pleasure--no work, only vacation. 3 days in Rome to start with. We are walking everywhere — no car. Yesterday we walked about 5 miles and loved every minute of it. It isn't as hot here this time around. We came a month earlier this year than the last time we were here, and I am so glad we did. My last trip to Rome was incredibly hot, probably near 90 degrees, and very humid. I had to take 3 showers a day, yet I still felt dirty and sticky. This time, though, the weather was beautiful--maybe 75 degrees with a soft breeze.  The temp helps to keep the smells down. I'm not going to lie here, there is an earthy smell that comes with Europe. Maybe it's the drainage system — I'm not sure. But walking along the city streets, well, sometimes it can smell a little sewer-ish. We choose to walk on by and not acknowledge it. It's our unspoken code.

I'm going to attempt to describe Roma. There is the ancient city — which includes fountains, colonnaded buildings, and statues —and then, thrown into the mix, might be a modern hotel or two hundred. Seriously, there are hundreds of hotels in Rome. This city has the most tourists of all Italian cities. And I can see why. The mix of ancient and modern alone would draw people, but I think what draws the most attention is that you could come to Rome and see everything in one city. There are gardens, churches, archaeological digs, a river, the Coliseum, arcs, castles, the Vatican, Roman bridges, the Pantheon, etc. And what astounds me most is that you literally could be walking down a street, turn a corner, and be facing one of the most beautiful fountains ever. There are markets and shops everywhere. It's a huge, fascinating city loaded with tourists and Italians, great food and gelato, coffee and history. I love it here.

One of the things I admire most about Italians is their ability to relax, enjoy, and stroll. It is said that Europeans work to live and that Americans live to work. I want to live. Life is exciting to me. And life is short. And maybe that is why I am not a good relaxer. I am an explorer. However, when I come to Italy, I do relax. At least I attempt to. Our hotel had a rooftop deck, which we were encouraged to visit. Breakfast is served up there, and you can also bring a picnic and drinks and enjoy the deck 24 hours a day.  Yesterday, in the late afternoon, we took our books and sat up there in the sunshine, just relaxing, reading, and enjoying the sounds of Rome.
I'm glad we are here — we are on vacation.