Footnotes on Italy
A few random observations on a vacation that requires some footwork
It's all about the shoes
Rome is a city that cries out for exploration, which of course requires some footwork. The proper shoes must be selected with care, caution, and discretion. My fellow fashion-minded friends know how difficult it can be to choose not only which shoes to pack, but which ones to wear on the city treks. For our first night in Rome I seemingly made the correct decision, wearing my new sandals comfortably as we explored the neighborhood of the Trevi fountain and the Pantheon. As I savored my (first) gelato, little did I know what would lie ahead....on our way back to the hotel, we did not technically get lost, for we knew where we were and where we needed to be, but it was a challenge to navigate the dead ends and circular turns of the streets. This resulted in a VERY long walk through the backstreets of Rome, and with each step my blisters became bigger and redder. Several bandaids later, we made it back to the hotel. Lesson learned: take a taxi.
Step it up
As in most big cites, the excitement comes from the view--from being as high up as possible to get that panoramic sensation. While Rome has its famous seven hills, they are not technically hills (some are now monuments) so one needs to find something to ascend! What better structure than St.Peter's Basilica, or better yet, the dome on the top. "Yes,"we said,"of course we will climb there."
'No," we said, "Who needs an elevator?" Well, climb we did--not only the 320 steps that go to the roof level, but adding the stairs for the last part. This means that we scaled a total of 551 steps in a narrowing passageway to get that view. Feet, don't fail me now! Was it worth it? You decide:
Quite the feat
My feelings about Rome? To me, it wasn't so much about the city that I toured, but rather, what I saw in the city. My friend Sarah fittingly observed, "It's like meeting a celebrity." I found myself fangirling over the same structures that you've heard of but never met--and there they were: The Pantheon and its 142 foot dome built in 113 AD; St. Peter's 448 foot dome , one of only 4 major basilicas in the world; the 159 foot Colosseum (more on that later), and the Sistine Chapel, the venue for the election of a new Pope, most famous for the paintings on the Chapel ceiling by Michelangelo. Between 1508-1512 he painted on his back on scaffolds 65 feet above the ground. At least he could avoid the dreaded foot blisters!
The sole of the city
The Grand Ole Opry House. Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Fenway Park. Madison Square Garden....THE COLOSSEUM! When one thinks of high-end entertainment venues, the Collesseum ranks right up there. After all, it was used to entertain the people--strap on your Roman sandals and let's go! Built in 72 BC (BC---that's crazy!!!!!) as a gift from the emperor to the Romans, it was a space that held 50-80 thousand spectators. What did they see there? ...gladiator combats, chariot races, wild animal fights, mock naval engagements (they flooded the floor for those). In a span of 390 years over 400,000 people died as well as over 1,000,000 animals. (Insert crying emoji face here.)
A-mazing!
No one told me that walking on the streets of Venice was like finding one's way through a corn maze! I kept picturing someone from above watching saying, "Um, wrong way, take the next left." I loved it! Everyone knows about the canals in Venice. What I didn't realize is that the city is built on 118 small islands that are separated by 150 canals--a boat is the only way to get around--no cars allowed. I did not get a statistc on how many boat shoes are sold there, and I wish I would have paid better attention to the footwear of the gondoliers. Like any big city, Venice has its high end shoe stores (Versace, Fendi, Net-a-Porter), but I preferred the backstreets wearing my Dr. Scholls :)
Losing your footing
Finally, after 22 years of teaching Romeo & Juliet, I found my way to Verona! I was determined to see the Casa di Giulietta, or Juliet's house. So determined to stand at the foot of the balcony, in my haste (and slippery sandals) I fell! On a street of Verona, down I went, a victim of pizza sauce on the smooth sidewalk. (I am not making this up.) But, back up I got, brushed off my shoulder and my pride, and, like Romeo, stood under Juliet's balcony---to say that I did! I actually reversed roles and stood on the balcony. It was worth the wait, the 12 Euros entry fee, and the fall!
There is a line in Romeo and Juliet in Act 1 where Lord Capulet is urging his guests to dance, using reverse psychology on the ladies. He says, "Will thou now deny to dance? She that makes dainty, I'll swear, hath corns." Sorry, Capulet, this lady is sitting it out until you clean up the pizza sauce on your streets.
"Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars." (Casey Kasem)
International travel is no mean feat. You have to be on your toes putting one foot in front of the other. The challenge shouldn't be daunting. We all need to relax, dip our toes in the water, and take the challenge of the adventure and get our feet wet.
Seriously, I have found that my usual pre-trip anxiety is worth the discomfort, because I always come back with a new perspective on life. It's a cliche, but it's a big world that God gave us to explore. Expanding my horizons hopefully helps me to put life in perspective.
After this trip of walking, climbing, stepping (and falling) I am ready to get back on my feet---and do it all over again!
