My Rendezvous with the Roman Empire !

      

"....La Bella....Do you believe in Love...." asked the Roman !

And all i could do is gape at him with utter stupidity , Mind said "Order some exotic Italian Pasta" and Heart said "Answer him you fool" !

It was all bright and shiny when i landed on the Roman land, the city where thousands of visitors flock from all around the globe. I was a single traveller on a mission, a mission to fall in love with the historical city (also to have my purse safe !) I exited the Roma Termini station and hailed a cab which took me to my place of stay. It was run by a small bunch of Indians (like me) and they gave me a very warm welcome followed by a pipping hot cup of chai !

The host (Imran) was more than happy to suggest me places i must visit and handed me a map of the city. Since it was the first day, i dint want to get very brave, so i took the internal city tour bus.
This bus had the perfect itinerary for one day tour.

The city bus covered the following places:

* Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill (Ancient Rome)
* Castel Sant Angelo (and Ponte Sant Angelo)
* St. Peter's Basilica
* San Giovanni in Laterano (The Mother of All Churches)
* Santa Maria della Vittoria (Ecstacy of St. Theresa)
* Trevi Fountain
* Piazza Navona
* Pantheon
* Galleria Borghese (The Queen of Private Art Collections)


The place was very warm that day, but the breeze from the travelling bus kept it a little cool. I was awestruck with every place that we visited and i kept "Aaaawww'ing" in my mind repeatedly. I had boarded the bus at 11:30am and i felt a bit baked by 3pm'ish. I got down from the bus and just kept walking around, admiring the beauty of the place. A very candy pink ice cream kept me company :)
I kept walking and at one point i saw a huge gathering (who doesn't stop and look in front a gathering !) so i stopped. I made my way into the sea of people, and i stood there completely "WoW'"ed ! What a spectacular view ?! It was the Fountain Trevi ! This Bernini design (initial design) was beyond spectacular. Since it was a sunny day, the statues caught the light rays at its every high and low and formed a formidable silhouette that reflected on the water. 


Making a wish !
 

 

 Fountain Trevi might have been a very romantic place back in the days. Everyone came in to see not only the beauty of the structure but also, to make a wish. It is believed that if you make a wish and throw a coin into the water, it comes true. The place was over crowded with people who wanted to make a wish. I realised that all these people believed in miracles. The place was oozing positivity, everyone was happy and smiling and it was indeed very contagious. After spending about an hour and basking in the positivity with a silly smile glued on my face, i decided to have lunch. I walked around the place and a very bright looking restaurant in the passageway grabbed my attention. I took a table by the alley and i was handed over the menu. My head was all burried into the menu making a choice between Abbacchio alla scottadito and Carciofi and from no-where the restaurant waiter asked me ...

"....La Bella....Do you believe in Love...."  !

And all i could do is gape at him with utter stupidity , Mind said "Order some exotic Italian Pasta" and Heart said "Answer him you fool" !

It was indeed a delight talking to a Roman (weren't they all mass struck by the cupid's arrow back in the days :P)
I took a leave from the place roamed around a little bit along the shopping street called Via Cola di Rienzo. I went back to my hotel and rested for a while. In the evening , i decided to see the Colloseum again for i have been told it looks outstanding at night. I realised that the Colloseum was quite close to where i stayed, so i took a walk nevertheless. And, were they right ?! The place had a very Sepia looking aura and i yet again stood there starring at the huge architecture. Even though the Colloseum has been vandalised and destroyed to a large extent, it still looked so calm and so put together. There were many tourists clicking away to their glory of the amazing monument (One of the seven wonders huh !)

 

 

 

The next day was very refreshing. I got all ready and was a ball of energy, i was going to see The Vatican !!!! woooooh ! I took a train from Roma Termini and had to get down at The Ottaviano- San Pietro stop. I got out and so did a zillion people with me. I just followed wherever the crowd walked. It was rather very sunny that day (for some reason, I hate the Sun, even though im from a gas/heat chamber called India :( ) . As i neared the main place of visit, i saw huge row of white pillars. I crossed the pillars and walked into the huge open space...Woah ! Is it the St Peter's Bassilica ...Hoot Hoot !
Even though the place was crowded like there was a 30% Sale at the Louis Vuitton, i stood there frozen ! Nothing mattered to me, but the sqaure and the Bassilica. How could any place be this beautiful?!

After about more than an hour or so, i started walking towards the Mother of all chapels- Sistine Chapel ! I faced an overwhelming badluck as i was told that the chapel is closed on Sunday's ! I was quite disappointed as was the case with the Vatican Museums ! Darnit ! But then again, i remembered a quote "One can never see Rome just Once !" Since i had a lot of time on hand, i had a luxurious lunch and roamed around Pantheon and Navona again (regardless to mention, the shopping streets :D)
I came back to the Hotel quite late and was just resting when i ran into Imran. He suggested i see the night view of Trevi as well. He offered to join me as he hadnt seen Rome yet (20 days old toddler to Rome). I was amazed at how quickly i got ready just at the mention of Trevi ! We both decided to walk to the fountain and so took a small map along.

....And it looked Gorgeous ! The view of Trevi at night was Magical.

 Thus my Roma trip came to an end...or should i say...The Beginning... :) :D