Rome is a city like no other. Over 2000 years of mind-numbing history which includes an abundance of martyrs, gladiators, popes, emperors, master artists and great thinkers.
Unfortunately today you are more likely to encounter a gladiator outside the Colosseum who poses for photos with tourists and says things like, “Darling, you’re so sexy. What’s your name? Paradise?”
(Yes, that actually happened).
As for the popes: they are the reason the Colosseum is now a pile of bare columns and empty archways. The popes of history stripped many of the grand Roman monuments of their bronze, marble and whatever else might come in handy to make the Vatican the extravagant spectacle it is today. Don’t get me wrong, the place is impressive, but it’s kind of sad to think that it came at the expense of many other historical artifacts.
What about the master artists you say? Today they are con artists. From the street vendors who appear miraculously with dodgy umbrellas when it’s raining, to the locals who benevolently offer to help you at the self-service ticket machines at Termini Station. Of course if you accept their offers of help you are likely to discover it comes at a price.
Today I said no to one of these offers while purchasing my train ticket, only to receive a counter-offer:
“Would you like to kiss me?” asked a dirty (literally and metaphorically) old man.
“No,” said I with certainty.
“Not even one?”
“NO!”
Ugggh…
At least they leave you alone once you say no. How they would ever get a yes surely lies within the realm of the paranormal, but I guess you can’t stop them from trying.
Martyrdom seems to be abating in the ‘Eternal City’, however there are still some people dying for their beliefs today; namely those pedestrians who believe cars will stop for them at the designated crossing.
Thankfully the days of imperialism have ended, but I’m sure there are still some great thinkers around. One thing I do admire about this city is how it draws people who want to learn, to experience culture, and to connect with history. Hopefully during my time here in Italy, I will achieve a little of that.
