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Post by kerouac2 on Jun 9, 2019 19:42:25 GMT
I used to go to Rome regularly because my airline flew between Paris and Rome and I paid absolutely nothing for the tickets. But I would just wander around the standard places and fly back the next day (because our schedules were not convenient). Certainly a stupid thing to do, but one of those things you do "because I can." Actually, my first trip to Rome was in 1971 when I was still a tadpole, and back then I really covered the city and saw all sorts of places. I am rather amazed at how intrepid I was, because I went to all sorts of places which seemed impossibly complicated this time -- so I saw some other things instead, and that is good. The Rome metro turned out to be very useful, which is surprising, since there are only two lines, but they do go to quite a few of the main tourist sites.
So this will be different from my Paris reports, where I purposely avoid most of the tourist places to give the rest of you a chance to cover them. In Rome I plunged headlong into most of the clichés because I hadn't been to Rome in more than 20 years and I needed to see what everybody else goes to see. There's nothing wrong with that, is there?
One good thing was having been invited by one of the Anyport icons to stay at her accommodations. We'll probably be hearing from her sooner or later. She was staying right in the shadow of Saint Peter's, which is pretty incredible. However, one quickly learns that it is not the most convenient area for "the other stuff" just like naive Paris visitors often want to stay near the Eiffel Tower and then discover that it is near the edge of the city and not next to the other things. My hostess was not naive but just didn't have many options when it was time to book a place to stay, and frankly the place was not bad at all and the walk to and from the metro was interesting rather than boring.
I took just one photo upon arriving, because I was just a lost boy waiting to be found, so here is the Piazza del Risorginmento, just outside the walls of the Vatican. You won't see this in the guidebooks.
i.postimg.cc/8PLvF8YZ/Roma-009.jpg
However, once things were settled and baggage was stashed away, it was time to visit the city. Castel Sant'Angelo was very close.
i.postimg.cc/bY7bNYmG/Roma-010.jpg
As much as I admire the building, I have never felt the need to go inside. Today was no different.
i.postimg.cc/PfpYjvQs/Roma-011.jpg
The statues on the nearby bridges are very ornate.
i.postimg.cc/Hj1pGh4x/Roma-012.jpg
Oh, we're not even there yet. I was just playing with my zoom.
i.postimg.cc/pLZnZfR8/Roma-013.jpg
I was glad that the Tiber was looking normal. I have seen it in the past when it was almost dry.
i.postimg.cc/bw8tkCcp/Roma-014.jpg
i.postimg.cc/QMdKnFdz/Roma-015.jpg
i.postimg.cc/432HCXKx/Roma-016.jpg
It got to the point over the next few days when it seemed that every single statue in the city had a bird assigned to it.
i.postimg.cc/c47KxRKj/Roma-017.jpg
Leaving the area of the Castel Sant'Angelo, I wasn't sure where to go, but did it matter? Rome is fascinating everywhere.
i.postimg.cc/hjJzcNxb/Roma-018.jpg
i.postimg.cc/BbHj1Dmj/Roma-019.jpg
i.postimg.cc/fL63L5f4/Roma-020.jpg
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i.postimg.cc/W12dhdg4/Roma-022.jpg
Green shady squares were a godsend for sitting and puzzling over the weird GPS indications. I wish I had had a paper map instead. I know how to use them.
i.postimg.cc/L6FYFCsL/Roma-023.jpg |
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Post by lagatta on Jun 9, 2019 20:30:14 GMT
Despite what you say, you are far too travel-savvy to be classed as an ordinary tourist. I have friends who had a pleasant but modest flat actually overlooking the Vatican for decades. Hardly staunch Catholics. Husband was a marrano or converso of Sicilian Jewish origin - ancestors converted so as not to be burnt at the stake over the riddle of the Trinity - Wife was simply a Sephardic Jewish Italian. Adult daughter is exploring such stories in her profession. None are remotely religious in terms of Judaism, Catholicism or any other faith, but very interested in them (as am I). I'd say it's a better place to stay than near the Tour Eiffel as there is better everyday shopping.
Indeed, while their metro is a bit pathetic, it can be very useful. Haven't more tramlines been built in recent years?
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Post by mich64 on Jun 10, 2019 2:02:49 GMT
Both of your reports will be interesting! I look forward to seeing the tourist places as I have never been there.
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Post by kerouac2 on Jun 10, 2019 4:21:45 GMT
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Post by fumobici on Jun 10, 2019 5:52:05 GMT
Haven't been to Rome this year, I did get a day in last year. I cannot get my mind around the age of the Pantheon and its size. It would be an impressive feat even with all our modern tools and technologies. The Tiber is fuller than usual for this time of year, the farmer next door said that May was unusually wet up here near the river's headwaters, ten straight days of rain at one point. None ahead in the forecast though.
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Post by bjd on Jun 10, 2019 6:09:31 GMT
For me, Rome is more that cobbled little street with the beige buildings than the big monuments, so I'm glad to see it in your photos above. As much as I dislike getting older, I do appreciate having been to many places before they were overrun by tourists. I have a photograph taken in the Pantheon by an American who had a good camera. Just three of us standing under the oculus and lit up in a dark and empty building. Of course, the downside was that I was too young to appreciate what I was seeing and just wanted to go to the beach.  I was a bit smarter the last time I went to Rome 10 years ago. Looking forward to more. |
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Post by lagatta on Jun 10, 2019 11:36:14 GMT
Yes, when I was first in Venice, it was over 30 years ago and I was shown parts of the city by an old Venetian, a friend of a friend. Venice has been heavily touristed for a great many years, but nothing like now. I may be going there later this year to a research institute www.iveser.it/, but don't actually look forward to it as before. Fumobici, are you in Umbria again? |
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Post by kerouac2 on Jun 10, 2019 11:59:10 GMT
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Post by mickthecactus on Jun 10, 2019 12:52:58 GMT
Yes, when I was first in Venice, it was over 30 years ago and I was shown parts of the city by an old Venetian, a friend of a friend. Venice has been heavily touristed for a great many years, but nothing like now. I may be going there later this year to a research institute www.iveser.it/, but don't actually look forward to it as before. Fumobici, are you in Umbria again? I was in Venice 55 years ago! First time I had pizza. I thought it the most wonderful food ever! Still love pizza. |
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Post by kerouac2 on Jun 10, 2019 13:29:03 GMT
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Post by bixaorellana on Jun 10, 2019 13:58:08 GMT
There is nothing ordinary about Kerouac, certainly not as a tourist! He finds great stuff to do in places that you'd think have been mined to death. Look forward to his other reports. By the time I get mine done, Rome probably will have fallen again.
Super pictures, Kerouac. I do love the magical one of the Trevi fountain that does not feature tourists.
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Jun 10, 2019 17:01:27 GMT
Excellent photos...interesting views of the tourists too..thank you medear.
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Post by lagatta on Jun 10, 2019 23:21:52 GMT
Those tourists seem to be wearing everything I was instructed NOT to wear in Rome. And I don't mean I was in formal dress, far from it.
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Post by fumobici on Jun 11, 2019 3:06:47 GMT
Yes, when I was first in Venice, it was over 30 years ago and I was shown parts of the city by an old Venetian, a friend of a friend. Venice has been heavily touristed for a great many years, but nothing like now. I may be going there later this year to a research institute www.iveser.it/, but don't actually look forward to it as before. Fumobici, are you in Umbria again? Non, sono in Toscana ma posso guidare a Umbria in meno di dieci minuti da qui. O forse una mezz'ora in bicicletta. I found Venice still quite bearable as far as the tourist crush in early April. The city doesn't allow the cruise ships until May and many -- most -- of the tourists are day trippers and are gone by around 8 PM, so evenings and mornings can be pretty quiet and especially if one avoids the usual tourist hot spots. At least in shoulder season. I wouldn't want to be in Venice now or in Summer at all really. The Eastern half of sestiere Castello in particular can be downright tranquil although that would change I am sure during the biennale. |
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Post by mossie on Jun 11, 2019 14:08:08 GMT
That speckled pigeon really posed for you, at first glance thought it was part of the lady's dress
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Post by kerouac2 on Jun 11, 2019 14:59:55 GMT
Maybe it was the heat, but one thing I found about the birds of Rome was that they seemed to stay where they had chosen to perch. In Paris those damned creatures seem to fly away the moment you start pointing your camera in their direction.
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Post by bjd on Jun 11, 2019 18:18:45 GMT
That speckled pigeon really posed for you, at first glance thought it was part of the lady's dress I believe that's a seagull. They will always stay in place if they think there will be food around. |
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Post by kerouac2 on Jun 11, 2019 18:42:34 GMT
It is true that the webbed feet imply that it is absolutely not a pigeon.
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Post by mossie on Jun 12, 2019 8:07:44 GMT
Oh dear, I stand corrected. In defence can only say we have had so much rain lately I thought all birds had webbed feet.
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