Dispatch from Roma II

Like other well-known tourists that attempted to “do” Rome, such as Hannibal and Attila, we never even made a dent in the glories of the Eternal City.  Hot and sticky and packed like every large city with an overload of manic driven people and their machines. A few days were all that we could stand.  The opening salvo of humanity’s crush was the master pickpocket that did a classic touch-and-go of my pockets and backpack, as I stood immobilized in our first Roman subway ride.  His false right arm was wrapped around a package and my jet-lag addled brain was not up to realizing that a man can have 3 arms.  He got the cash in the front right pocket while leaving my glasses in place, unbuttoned my back pocket, unzipped the small pockets of my backpack (while I was wearing it on my front!), and finally woke me up by trying the other front pocket.  All this, while I kept two of his hands in plane view.  With the timing of the seasoned pro that he was, the deed was done just as the carriage doors began to close.  He stepped through and was gone.  Had I not been loaded down with bags under my arms and eyes, and had I been able to catch up with him, I am not sure whether I would have wrung his neck in anger, or wrung his hand in admiration.  Meistro too, is an Italian word.

Our last night in Rome was spent on a lovely evening stroll through the sights, sounds, and smells of the old town and the several pedestrian plazas, complete with fountains and street artists.  Past the fashion center, mecca to the clothes hounds around the world.  The names were all there, Verscai, Armani, Gucci, Ferrigamo, etc etc.  My favorite was an honest and aptly named boutique, eXpensive!  To Jean’s dismay, it was closed.

On to the Spanish Steps, where so many well-endowed movie starlets have been filmed bouncing down, followed by a Carry Grant or a Gregory Peck.  The steps looked less fashionable in real life with 200 backpacking teenagers with assorted bottles of booze lounging and looking.  Like the 60’s (if you can remember) without the guitars, tie-die and sideburns.


Would I go back to see more of Rome?  I am not one for superstitions, but it is said if you toss a coin over your shoulder into the famous Trevi Fountain, you will be guaranteed a return to this place.  I thought about it, watched about a hundred tourists toss coins, and ...

...  I waded out and was able toss about 400 Lire out of the fountain before the Carabinieri officer pulled me out of the water.  I look forward to the countryside and escape.

- Roderico Rejecti