Blog One - Days 1-3

Part of my fascination and appreciation for Rome that's certainly come further to life here as we explore the city is the relationship between the mythology of Rome, the history of Rome, and the reality of Rome. 

As a culture, we've built this city as an ideal, as a relic in and of itself- a living place where love can be found- just ask Kristen Bell when she did the movie "When in Rome." We expect a city that is full of attractive men on scooters or women on the beach, we expect all the mythology of romance that's tied to Italy in general. But we can also expect instead the history and the mystery to be found in a city that's seen bloodshed for centuries upon centuries- as can be seen or read in books like Angels and Demons. Perhaps these are silly images that we believe Rome should be, but it's there all the same- perpetuated when Rome is featured in games like Assassin's Creed, or as a place to heal and eat as in Eat, Pray, Love, or a place for a struggling director to search for inspiration as in Nine. 

Through Hollywood and literature still today, we are contributing to this mythology of Rome, which in many ways compliments the reality of the city. There are less stellar aspects, maybe, that we don't hear as much about- the heat, for one, but that is very likely just me being a wimp and I admit that. Pickpockets are another, or the ease in which one can get lost in this labyrinth of a city. But, to me at least, I think these only add to the wonder of Rome- I think it helps that I, for one, wasn't expecting to go wading around the Trevi Fountain (which, for the record, I would be shocked to ever find /not/ busy) and pick random things up to have people magically fall in love with me. 

What I am loving about this city is the marriage of all those centuries upon centuries, rebuilds upon rebuilds, damage and reconstructions. Looking out from the Capitoline Museum over the Forum and across the rooftops, you would think all the different styles of architecture, the mix of "old" and "new" (both of which are extremely relative terms) didn't mix. And you would be entirely wrong. Do the cobblestones and marble and dust sometimes lead to ankle twists and falls and general irritation with how in the world people can walk around in this and not be annoyed to some degree? Well sure, but man, it somehow still comes across as charming and almost magical. Walking along to see things like tourist shops, then ruins, then the very modern pharmacy or gelato place is an amazing experience that makes the ridiculous heat entirely worthwhile. Especially when you can find places like the church we visited today, where you could still see the columns from the original temple on the side. 

[pictures to be edited in later, for those interested. Sorry for the delay, but no usb port on an iPad!]