Seth and Kristal Spurlock: June 2009

It was so refreshing to have a break from school and be able to jet away to another country for a few days to relax. It had just rained in Rome when we arrived and the fresh sent of rain drops was so invigorating after months in the desert. To see trees and grass and flowers delighted my eyes, not to mention recognizable things like Blockbuster stores. Although right way we both noticed how our opinion of modesty had changed after a year in a Muslim country to the vast difference of Italian fashion.

We stayed at a quaint little bungalow park only 7 km north of Rome – Flaminio Village Bungalow Park. It was on several acres of park land and had sites for camping, RV’s and bungalows. It was quite a walk to get anywhere but the bungalow village had everything we needed including a pool, restaurant, bar, pizzeria, mini-market, and a very helpful tour info kiosk. We could catch the train about 300 meters from the park entrance and from there connect to the metro lines or buses downtown so everything was very accessible. We did a very smart move and got the Roma Pass which got us on ALL public transportation for three days and included entrance into any two museums. That was well worth the money and more than paid for itself.

The first day we headed off to town with two guide books and probably three city maps in hand. We decided to go see some sites on our own and do a few self-guided walking tours from our guide book. First stop we were both dying to see was the Colosseum. As soon as we walked up out of the subway station it was almost like the Colosseum smacked you in the face. We weren’t expecting it to be just right there, and so huge! We spent several hours walking around the outside and really enjoyed discovering the inside. This was defiantly both of our favorite site of our whole trip. From there we walked around the Palatine and the Roman Forums up to Monument di Vittoriano (their over-the-top tomb of the unknown soldier). Then we walked along Via del Corso street to Piazza Del Popolo, where stands a large Egyptian obelisk. Walking along Via del Corso is in the heart of the shopping district. It was so fun window shopping into the top Italian fashion designers’ boutiques, but I didn’t even dare go in one although we did stop at a little street café for lunch. That was quite a bit of walking for the morning so we decided to take an open bus tour and get the layout of the land of where some other important sites where. Then we headed to the Spanish Steps which is the evening hang out area for locals and tourists alike.

The next day we had reserved an audio guide tour of Rome. We went back and spent some more time at several sites that we saw briefly on out bus tour the day before, including Piazza Della Repubblica, Vatican City, back to the Colosseum and Palatine, then to Campo Dé Fiori, Piazza Navona where we bought some art, to the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and back to the Spanish Steps. Of course, a full day of walking required some refreshments so we stopped and had gelato three times that day. Hey, when in Rome….

On Wednesday we had read about how to get tickets for a general audience with the Pope. We arrived early that morning to St. Peter’s Square and got seats about 50 yards away from his chair. He arrived in his little pope-mobile and drove around the square twice so that most people could see him up close. In doing this he was only two rows (ten feet) away from us. The audience lasted about an hour in a half where some scripture was read by some Cardinals, and then several Cardinals introduced large groups that where there which the Pope waved to everyone and then he blessed the audience members, and by extension, their parents, children, family, friends and loved ones and any religious items they brought. So if you are reading this then you are probably a family, friend or loved one to use and by extension have been blessed by the Pope. This was done at least five different languages: Italian, English, German, Spanish, and Polish. We were most surprised by how many Polish people there were and they are quite proud that the Pope is Polish!

We headed off to Villa Borghese and to the Museo e Galleria Borghese, but first we had a very nice lunch in the Villa’s Park. I have a new found respect for Bernini and loved his sculptures of Ratto di Proserpina and Apollo e Dafne as well as Antonio Canova’s Venere Vincitrice. I was completely awe struck by their ability to make granite look lifelike and their minute details that made these massive sculptures seem as light as air. It’s difficult to fathom that they were able to perfect such art work hundreds of years ago without modern power tools, let alone all the famous artists and historical art works housed in this galleria. The villa itself was worth its own visit.

The next day we had reservations to go inside St. Peter’s Basilica in the morning and through the Vatican museums in the afternoon. The only way I can describe the inside of St. Peter’s is by one word….ornate! Ok, two words, ornate and massive! Michelangelo’s Pietá and Bernini’s canopy alter were once again superb example of their mastery of art and creations that prove today why they have been declared masters of their own right for hundreds of years.

The Vatican museum was actually both of our least favorite part of our trip. It was way too crowded with hoards of people that you couldn’t enjoy yourself to look at the collection. Not to mention that you have to follow the same path and are not allowed to backtrack or take another route and most people are only trying to press on until they get to the Sistine Chapel anyways. The Sistine Chapel was a letdown after all of the hype we’ve heard all of our lives, and also due to the large crown and not being able to enjoy looking at it. You are not allowed to take pictures in the Sistine Chapel, but everyone one was.

That night we ended our wonderful vacation to Rome with a dinner cruise on the River Tiber and a nice evening stroll by the Castel Sant’ Angelo and the Vatican City, lit up in all its splendor.

We are back in Alexandria right now, packing up our stuff and grabbing the cat to head home (Kansas City) in a few hours. We are very excited to be coming home and can’t wait to see all of you.

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