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in Rome… |
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Rating:
 (4.8) (20 Votes)
Rome, Italy
June 05, 2004
Pros:
Trevi Fountain - a beautiful little place to hang out
Cons:
queues to enter the Vatican
Since the release of the movie “Gladiator” every boy
& man has dreamt to stand in the middle of the Grand Coliseum
in Rome and in their toughest gladiatorial voice pretend they are
the most powerful gladiator in the world. Whilst the crowd of thousands
cheer and chant!!
So I took this opportunity, whilst in Rome. What I did not expect
to happen, is when I ripped off my shirt and removed my plastic
sword from it’s plastic sheath and at the top of my voice
shout:-
“My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, Commander
of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, loyal
servant to the true emperor…….”
To actually be spear tackled by 15 security guards all wearing fake
gladiator costumes. I guess it is not the first time they have seen
that happen.
My partner in crime for this journey was Shane and one of the best
remembered quotes from our trip will be “Oh there will plenty
of accommodation”. Of course middle of summer on a long weekend
– of course there is going to be heaps of places to stay without
paying the world… not. But I guess that is a lesson learnt.
As my plane landed quite late, Shane had secured accommodation before
hand and meet me at the station. First experience of Rome was having
crusty old Pizza at the back of a smoky café with a toothless
man across from us smoking something resembling a cigarette. Ahh
Rome so beautiful.
Next day up and into action and what better way to see a city and
get your bearings then a 4 hour walking tour. Sure you could get
on a bus and be driven around, but you would miss out on the sore
legs and the harassment from any person under the sun trying to
sell you something. From the Coliseum; walking through Old Rome
where we learnt of heroes and villains. From there we headed right
across the city, whilst trying to avoid being killed by a car, bike
or mad Roman to the famous Trevi Fountain. Now not only being a
beautiful little place to hang out, but a money making scheme that
is worthy of any corporate finance investigation.
According to a number of sources, the fountain generates 118,000
Euros a year, by coins thrown into Fountain and people making wishes.
YES, 118,000 per year!! Now I have not acquired my MBA or some Harvard
Business Degree but I know that 118,000 Euros a year is not a bad
return on investment for a cement pond and fountain.
So I would like you to start spreading the word. I have created
a new scam, oh sorry architectural wonder known as “Trevour’s
Fountain”. See if you throw one gold plated coin in your wish
may come true, but if you through paper money (sealed in a water
proof bag which will be available to purchase) your wish will always
come true.
(Please note no refunds will be accepted if wishes are not granted).
A trip to Rome would not be completed without a little visit to
the Vatican City. The catch? It became apparent that we had visited
on the last Sunday of the month, so the entry fee was waived. And
where there is free, there are queues and more queues. Shane I stood
there in amazement as we saw the queue for the Vatican Museum stretched
and weaved around the massive walls of the city.
‘How
long will that take?” we both wondered. After some basic mathematical
equations to monitor how many minutes to walk so many meteres and
then to take in additional factors like the heat of the sun, the
annoying people and just the idea of standing in a line for 3 hours.
The conclusion was made to revisit the next day and pay the 10 euro
entry fee!
Taking the opportunity whilst we were here, to join another queue,
not as long though. This time to see St Peters Basilica and to visit
the Dome. And as today was the last Sunday of the month, there were
whispers that the “Big Guy” was going to come out and
say a few words to the crowds outside. As Shane and I waited in
the queue to take the elevator up towards the Dome. Once arriving
up the top we were treated with beautiful skies and stunning views.
As we snapped away recording as many memories on film – we
saw people below to start scramble closer to a stage where there
in the smallest form was the Pope.
Now personally my Latin is very ordinary but I promise you all I
believe he started with a very kind thank you to Shane and Jay for
making the trip this weekend and if we make our way to the back
of the chapel he will meet us there for a couple of beers before
we have to take off. What a nice guy!
So part of the Vatican City complete, tick in the box. Just need
to refocus on that Sistine Chapel.
8am next morning, there in front of us appeared the Vatican Museum
with yet still a massive queue. One part of me was even convinced
that it was still the same queue from the previous day. Well when
in Rome…. we joined the queue and chatted with the people
around us, the entry arrived in no time at all and we were in -
to join another queue! The Museum itself is massive and it expected
to take about 4-5 hours to see it all. But with the crowds and my
knowledge of Catholic artefacts non existent, a spear line tour
to the Sistine was in order – of course admiring some late
12th century pottery on the way, because that is my favourite pottery
period.
Only a couple of weeks before our trip to Rome, I had watched a
documentary about the wonders of Michael Angelo. The documentary
had a focus on the Sistine Chapel. The presenter wondered up and
down the chapel by himself showing intricate parts of the paintings,
talking about the acoustics of the area and general wonders about
the chapel itself. I made mental notes of these points and promised
myself that I would also review these and agree or disagree with
the presenter. Only I would not be able to complete my task, due
to the 11 million people crammed into this room. There was not even
space to lie upon the floor and look up at the ceiling. The romantic
image of being able to browse around the gallery is removed from
you because of the masses of tourists – which is expected
of course. But the question is why are there so many that are just
rude??
After a shortened visit, I made way to the exit where some minor
miss communication with Shane meant that our rendezvous did not
occur. Taking the opportunity to wonder aimlessly around Rome and
find some food, I found myself in a taint little village and placed
myself in a restaurant with a bowl of fresh pasta and a big glass
of red wine. There was no noise and there were minimal people around
and those people present even looked local.
I sat there and did nothing but just the watched the world go by
and I do believe that in travels here and there around the world,
the most enjoyable part of any trip is that time by yourself to
do nothing.
Until next time |
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