Roma!

It was once appropriate to say "all roads lead to Rome" but that was back when Emperor Augustus ruled in 20 BC. Considering 2046 years have passed since then, I would like to suggest a new observation: all road in Rome lead to pasta, vino, gelato, and all things antico! 

Hully and I had the change to spend a scant 24 hours in this wonderful city and we managed to cover all the modern basics of Rome without falling into any of the tourist traps. And it was fantastic!  It was also neccesary for me because i had zero ability to sleep on the 12 hour+ flight. So when we arrived to our destination in the lovely Trastevere neighborhood, the only logical thing to do to ground one's self and banish the psycho-physical fatigue of travel is get a big plate of pasta and a glass of vino!

 

But in this case, there were no plates when we ordered the delicious guanciale pasta that was perfectly al-dente. and when we finished that, we got up, took a few steps to the next door down the cobblestone street and had gelato. This, my dear readers, is the best combination for any potential jet lag. (and multiple cold showers, which came soon after)

Now, with the mind and body revived, we worked on imbuing the spirit with the bounteousness of a rich culture (and i mean rich) full of history! 

Between the architecture of old Rome and the wonderful stone streets, Trastevere feels warm and inviting. The area is a "funky, bohemian area that clings to its centuries-old, working-class roots." as described by the internet. And as a man who loves water, I deeply appreciated the Tiber river which also runs through the middle of everything. Its the the third-longest river in Italy and the longest in Central Italy.

And to the north of the river we explored the old Jewish Ghetto with its narrow streets which were so fun to meander through without a purpose. We stopped to have the best fried artichoke EVER and some coffee and pastries, before moving on to see the famous Pantheon from the 2nd century. 

 

Nearing the end of the day, began our return to the Tiber so we get dinner at a traditional ristorante on an island in the middle of the river. On the way, we explored more of the city and its hidden nooks of history. I'm particularly fond of the more antique past of Trastevere because before the Romans conquered it to gain control of and access to the river from both banks, it was still a place the Etruscans lived. I love the history of this culture who predated the Romans (and taught them much of what they knew) but will say no more than the fact that by the time of the Roman Republic in 509 BC, Trastevere a simple city lived in by sailors and fishermen.

 

 

 

(Fun fact: there are exactly three ancient triumphal arches left in Rome. They call them triumphal in the same way they define history as "his story". The victors always sugar coat things in their favor, and these arches were built to celebrate military victories. So if you killed at least 5000 people, like Emperor Constantine did, then you win a prize! And you get an arch for yourself.)

Nowadays—after the "Regal" period—the Etruscan history has become faded beneath the gargantuan spotlight of Roman relevance. But where all roads once lead to Rome, we put our trust in the culture more than the grand shadow of past empires. So in closing: Edimus. Bibimus. Antiquitate gaudebamus!

 

(We ate. We drank. And we reveled in the antiquity!)