Roma. La Dolce Vita!

Rome is all about inhaling the dolce vita lifestyle into your very soul. It’s about relaxing into the area’s Mediterranean rhythms and wandering around the picturesque streets. It’s about people-watching on pretty piazzas, and whiling away hours at sidewalk cafes. Wherever you go you are totally immersed in art, culture, exquisite cuisine, architectural wonder, history and, fountains, flowers and Love! Toss a coin in the Love Fountain (Trevi Fontana) and make a wish. Wishes do come true in Roma.

Rome is the home of the Coliseum where the gladiators fought and lions snacked on any poor soul forced into the ring. This birthplace of modern civilization certainly has roots in violence, especially with the decline of the Roman Empire and the dark history of the Catholic Church. This fearsome hub of the Roman Empire, the caput mundi (capital of the world), has many tales to tell. Modern Roma seems to have evolved into a lighter phase of loving life, loving food, loving beautiful and fine arts, and simply loving.

Feeling like an Emperor or a Queen climbing the Spanish Steps we retraced chapters in history. We walked miles every day, thrilled to be standing in front of magnificent, iconic places such as the Pantheon, Piazza Venezia, The Forum, Fontana de Trevi, Vaticano and the Sisteen Chapel. Michelangelo’s paintings and carving were exquisite. Story has it that Michelangelo saw the figure, such as “David” in the marble. It was his job to chip away the excess rock, allowing the figure to come alive. The Vaticano Museo has treasures removed from around the world and artwork unparalleled. The ceiling of the Sisteen Chapel alone, decorated by Michelangelo, is spellbinding.

We made a point to walk to the Bocca della Verità, asking secret questions in hopes of an all knowing answer. Between walks we would while away our time having a slice of pizza or a cup of tea or a glass of red wine in one of the many piazzas or plazas. Never a dull moment as we watched people or entertainers parade by the famous fountains or statues. People out and about, simply enjoying what life has to offer!

Founded: April 21, 753 BC, Rome, Italy’s capital, is a sprawling, cosmopolitan city with nearly 3,000 years of globally influenced art, architecture and culture for your viewing pleasure. Italy’s Eternal City is one of the world’s most enchanting and inspiring capitals.
For these world globetrotters, who enjoy eating their way around the world, Roma is a perfect choice. Eating out is one of Rome’s great pleasures and the combination of romantic al fresco settings and amazing food is a guarantee of good times. There are many refined restaurants, but for a truly Roman meal search out the city’s boisterous pizzerias and lively neighborhood trattorias. These are where the locals go to dine with friends and indulge their passion for thin, crispy pizzas, simple but delicious pastas, and a glass of fine local wine. Although Naples is the capital of pizza, everywhere in Italy boasts Salsa di pomodoro with all the trimmings. Pizza paradiso.

The Fall weather had been cold and rainy for 2 days. This prompted me, out of sheer survival, to join the women of Rome shopping for clothes in a fun frenzy of fashion with the girls. The women here like the finer things in life and although my nomadic lifestyle doesn’t demand it, it was fun to pick up a few new clothes to wear in Rome. A former model, I hadn’t lost my touch for fashion because of years of dusty, functional travel attire. Away I went with stylish pants, tops, boots, and my new necklace, hand created in the castle of Dubrovnik. I was ready for Roma.

Buon Compleanos. 60 years young! Wow! What better place on earth to make the jump into a new decade than Roma, the city of Love and Romance? The first small pizzeria we stopped by on my birthday, the handsome young man behind the counter declared in Italian, (in front of all the customers gathered along the counter; all drooling at the mouth watering pizza displayed), “You are very beautiful. How may I help you?” I replied, “You just did! I’ll have 2 pieces of your delicious mushroom and capsicum pizza.”

My birthday started with my usual meditation. I had a deep thankful silence followed by a ‘happy attack’. We all have so much to be thankful for! Just then the sun broke through the grey sky and sunlight flooded our bedroom, ending 2 days of cloudy/rainy Fall weather in Roma. Joseph started playing Pharell William’s “Happy” song and we danced and laughed our way into the day. Fast forward. Just wandering through the tiny side streets of Roma is the best way to see, feel and experience a culture full of history, excitement, passion. Bottom line most people spend their time eating, tasting, appreciating the pride of Italian chefs.

First we stopped at an outdoor market and bought fresh orange juice and a fruit cup with blueberries, raspberries, giant blackberries and red currants. It was almost too pretty to eat. Next a daily must, a slice of toasted fresh pizza. Needing a dessert for strength and endurance to cover the over 5 miles of walking daily, we wandered past the Santa Maria de las Animas Church and discovered a quaint sidewalk cafe, Santa Lucia. There we committed sins in the form of a heavenly piece of fresh tiramisu and herbal tea. In the next church I was absolved of the afore mentioned discretion, because it was my birthday. Whew! Off to our favorite Piazza Navona to stroll by the infamous fountains and just sit and watch the world go by. All of a sudden we heard Bob Marley singing. Too eclectic; this is the city of strolling musicians playing accordions, violins, guitars! No really, that’s reggae! Down at the other end was a Rastafarian singing his heart out to a gathering crowd. Next he was replaced by a professional clown who had everyone rolling in laughter on the cobblestones. Around the corner and down the lane we embarked on a gastronomical delight at a little trattoria: salad, fresh wood oven baked bread, pasta with tomato, basil, fungi and a glass of deep red vino. Have to admit being 60 years young looks, tastes and feels like a phenomenal decade in the making!! Bring it on! I intend to ‘slide in sideways’ – proclaiming, “Wow! What a ride!”

And so it goes…………………………………..Next Tunisia, a busy trading center on the north coast of Africa. Until then let’s remember Life isn’t an orderly, planned journey to the grave. Let go. Experience life, so when your time comes you can say, “Wow! What a Ride!” How are you doing with that?? Take care and Keep in Touch!