Exploring Roma
Out of La Mongolfiera -100 meters - the Piazza Navona – a little rain - a little chillier than Dubai - the magical feelings start to well up - we rose in Dubai and by mid-afternoon we are strolling through the heart of Roma – lots of tourists – lots of everyone - every nationality - every colour - every creed.
Towards the Pantheon - the old is very old – gasp as it appears at the end of the little Via - the crowd? - as to be expected! - Pause a while - we can return later!
Onward - slowly - look at that! – Onward some more - challenge an Italian motorist in a road crossing exercise - slowly - enjoy - Pinocchio intrigues Bernie – she stops -something for Matilda’s Italian fascination-stops again – “photograph me in front of Parlimento – Matilda will love it” – Italian coffee - friendly service – his airport attached countryman are letting him down!
The Trevi Fountain – no need for directions - follow the crowds – everyone smiling - the absence of frowns patent - what is it that makes them all feel so happy? – Children – mothers – grandmothers - grandfathers – fathers – sons – daughters - boyfriends – girlfriends - all position themselves to be photographed coin in hand - Bernie must join them - she loves it – she is 20 again!
Back towards Piazza Navona - the smiling faces still apparent but less abundant - pause at the Pantheon - the crowd reduced – we pause inside – ponder - what will our generation leave behind?
Wander on - think back to Venice - the difference? - these tourist do not have their noses in a tourist guide book – sell your shares in Lonely Planet? – Maybe!
Back towards La Mongolfiera – approach - ah! - clearly the training ground for the Lygon Street Restaurant pimps! - we are tired -we are hungry – this pimp recognizes an easy target when he sees one!
The food? - not great! - the atmosphere? - chaotic! - the table?b- small - adjacent to the payments counter – a confused crowd of Australian teenage travelers come in to pay - nice kids -self obsessed? - Absolutely! - they want their bills individually - they argue about detail - they agitate the staff - they embarrass us – they jostle for position at the counter –their self-obsession makes them oblivious to our presence - they jostle some more - the result? - a glass of red wine distributed uniformly from the chin to the knee - Bernie gasps - rises -the Girl apologizes profusely - the waiters appear – they let the kids know what they think – Bernie settles them all down – it’s OK – it’s OK – its fine – gradually calm is restored – another glass of wine – yet another glass of wine – we sit and smile – Bernie is delighted in her travelling gear – “you know Mike these clothes were a smart choice – the wine wipes of the MacPac top and nothing gets into my pants!” – I smile - she pauses – she realizes what she has said – No! – No! – don’t put that in the Blog!
An another amazing day
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