Waking Up In Scotland: Rome wanderings

Recently I spent a long weekend in Rome. My first time in this magnificent city. So much amazing history, art, style, and food. What stood out the most to me? How well the city blends youthful energy while living amongst structures that carry so much history.

And a concern for Italian pedestrians in Glasgow. Glasgow drivers give very little respect to pedestrians. I don't dare step off the curb onto a crosswalk if a car is in sight. In Rome, I would still be standing on the curb trying to cross the Via del Teatro di Marcello if I followed the same behaviour. Pedestrians in Rome step onto the road with a nonchalant confidence that gives the air they feel they have equal right to be on the road as a car does.

Ponte Vittorio Emanuela II

Uncharacteristically for me, I followed the well-worn tourist path. Visiting big sites in the morning and spending the rest of the time wandering the streets, exploring different areas of the city. My highlights? Tour of the Vatican Gardens, a bicycle safety rally springing up around me on the Spanish Steps, walking among the tall pines in Palatino, the Colosseum in moonlight, Michelangelo's Pieta, and incredibly delicious food, of course. The evenings were my favorite. I loved that shops stayed open so late. People strolling the streets enjoying a gelato. People and laughter spilling out into the streets from all the little pizzerias, bars, etc.

Piazza Navona

Divinità fluviale (Arno)

Domus Augustana

My love of gardens was a blessing. I decided to book a guided tour of the Vatican Gardens weeks before my trip. I was lucky to get one of the few tours still available. The tour was first thing in the morning, which left the rest of the day for me to enjoy the amazing sites of the Vatican City at my own pace. As I made my way around the wall of Vatican City, I found myself walking by a line approximately half a mile long (at 8:30am) and walked straight in due to my reserved tour ticket.

For this tour, you have an ear piece where you can hear your guide. Only those on tours are allowed in the gardens. For two hours, I enjoyed a peaceful meander through the gardens; rarely seeing anyone other than our group, listening to yarns told by our quirky guide, and being impressed by the diversity and healthy collection of trees. It must be quite a task to care for all the gifts given to the Pope, especially those plants used to a very different climate.

Admittedly, this peaceful morning was probably the worst preparation for the rest of my visit to the Vatican City. It is by far the most impressive collection of master works, so beyond anything I imagined. But in the moment, I had a hard time appreciating it as I wound my way through the Vatican Museum, Raphael Rooms, and the Sistine Chapel...shoulder to shoulder with people. Too many people. Luckily my mind absorbed many of the sites and I have been able to retrospectively enjoy the experience.

I did escape to a small side room at one point, looking for a brief relief from the crowd, only to be stunned still by the sight of the incredible Van Gogh's The Pieta. As I moved on to St. Peter's Basilica, I was once again glad that I could skip the line circling the piazza out front.

It was breathtaking to see so many amazing structures and artwork.