Rome Diaries — Gift of the Fab

Rome...the heart of our trip to Europe.

Wandering the Monti quartiere where we stayed in Rome was one of our most exhilarating experiences during our trip to Europe last fall. We were an old stone’s throw away from many of the most notable points of interest in the city including the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, the Forum and Capitoline Hill and it was also a great starting out point for other rambling forays in and around the old city. There were churches, courtyards, fountains where the locals gathered, and some of the best restaurants and quaint bars where we would discuss that day’s adventures and plan our next excursion over pasta and rich, red wine. Oh, the wine!

The Monti - one of Rome's oldest residential neighbourhoods and said to be where Julius Caesar grew up, is now one of Rome's best kept and coolest secrets. With fashionable boutiques, a thriving restaurant and bar scene, cultural edge and more, this bohemian urban gem is not to be missed.

It was while I contemplated Trajan’s Column over a well earned bottle of Peroni that I gathered all my thoughts about what we had seen thus far, and wrote “Rome Diaries”. Putting what was in my heart and mind to paper was easy. Looking around, all the inspiration of the ages and the vibrant spirit of today’s Rome embraced me - the Muses are still very much in residence.

Sept. 15, 2014 - Rome
Rome Diaries

We have lived La Dolce Vita, or at least, have eaten something called that at a restaurant.

We have walked on Roman roads and contemplated various building methods, seen brick and tile, cobblestones and mosaic floors.

We have seen the might and majesty of Ancient Rome, now shackled by the confines of a new world.

We strolled through the ancient byways in blazing heat, seen Herculaneum and have been moved by the haunting stillness, the grim tableau of souls left behind, their lives preserved in faded scenes on scorched walls.

We have hiked the paths of Palatine Hill and felt the sudden capricious breezes carrying whiffs of pepper and the cooling burst of mint.

We have strained to peer over the heaving throngs and through ancient window frames, caught glimpses of views that Augustus himself might have enjoyed, with a goblet of Roman wine in hand and the head of a fallen enemy in view on a marble table...

We have seen and recorded the flotsam and jetsam of ruins scattered like litter hither and yon, we have rested weary posteriors irreverently upon the fallen columns of the Colosseum and silently cursed the tide of tourists before us.

We have politely given way to others in the manner of picture taking then thrown known good graces to the gods and pushed and shoved our way to the front, like the rabble for bread at the bloody spectacles of Rome.

We have dodged scooters like the beleaguered Christians did the lions, and stood in awe of random marble edifices wondering not for the first time nor the last…"what would it have been like to tread these roads then, to hear the voices that were Rome, now silent."