Rome, The Eternal City

Rome is eternal on many levels. Holding the Holy See in its center, it proclaims eternal life, life beyond this mortal shell. The antiquities proclaim the eternal desire of the human spirit to build and be better than we are and were. The people of Rome itself proclaim an eternal spirit of endurance, no matter the weather or the government. For me it is eternal in that this was the 30th anniversary of my first visit to Italy, and so many of the landmarks that I remember from that first visit are still present.

I took a left turn instead of a right when I exited the Metro at the Batitstini stop (Okay, 30 years ago the Metro did not go this far out!) when I went to Via Boccea to visit Fr. Brian. I knew (from looking at the Metro map prior to leaving the station) that either route would get me to the General House, but one was a lot shorter than the other, so off I went. It was up hill, and when I got to Via Boccea, I knew where I was, it was at the place where I used to catch the bus to go to the Vatican (the 49/, yes the slash belongs there!). So I made a quick right onto Via Boccea and started walking down hill. YES, I walked UP hill to walk DOWN hill, I told you I made a wrong choice. As I wandered down the street I saw the grammer school that was there my first visit, then I saw this Trattoria, with a green patio covering and I knew I was very close. Imagine that, 30 years after my first visit, and this place still has the same look. Better yet, think of a restaurant that you know of that has been in the same location for 30 years! Within minutes I was at the General House. Rome, the eternal city.

There was the morning I took 4 of the group shopping on the Via Borgo Pio, then took the short walk over for a cappuccino at what I (and some good friends) refer to as Guido's. And YES, Guido was still making coffee and yes Guido remembered me and the last few visits I made to his negozio (place of business). (Just to let you know, this man makes the BEST cappuccino in the city of Rome.) Rome the eternal city.

Then there are the usual landmarks that bring the tourists. That too is part of My Eternal Attraction To The City of Rome. So from the mundane memories of an old man, to the spectacular views of the Eternal City, view on.


The Piazza di Pantheon, a view from the front of the Pantheon looking outwards towards the Piazza


Trevi, always a pleasure to see, and do you know that they feed the hungry with the money they collect from this fountain. Over a 1,000 €uro a day (1400USD) is removed from here and it supports a soup kitchen for the poor in the local area! Here is one of the poor of the area.....


And here is the "Fountain"


A view from the TOP of the Spanish Steps. I thought I would let you see the City of Rome!



The Campo di Fiori, where the cattle market used to be MANY years ago. Now it is a daily market, which closes and disappears about 5PM everyday to open up the area for dinner, socializing and night life.



And for that random shot of IDK WTF this is, but it is old and there is a statue of St. Paul on top..here for your viewing pleasure.........



And, lastly, the true picture of how stupid an old man I am, how dangerously I live, this shot is from the middle of the street looking west down the Via della Consiliazione towards St. Peters...and if you know how they drive in Rome, you would know just how dangerous this can be!



There are some more pictures of Rome to come. I am working on trying to recover the pictures I lost, there is a small glimmer of hope...or it is the bullet coming at me..I am not sure..but more of Rome will be here soon. Enjoy!