European Style

The experience I had today was something I found to be a good test and also a bit funny to me. When in London I would buy an outfit that looked very “European” and wear it when I went back to Rome. I have to admit, I also wanted this outfit to wear on my flight home to the States to surprise my friends and family. I bought and wore black leggings under gray shorts with a black top and tall flat black boots that I have see woman wearing all over Rome. It was funny to see the way approached me differently, looking as I blended in, atleast by the way I was dressed. Arriving at the airport in Rome I can not tell you how many people would come up to me and start speaking Italian. Any other time this would never happen and never do I get approached. I just found it interesting that if you do not dress like a “tourist” or “American” you seem to appear as if you are embracing, accepting, and a part of the culture more so.

Hot day at the Trevi

A scolding hot day at the fountain had me miserable and not appreciative or willing to be enticed in the area surrounding me. I stood at the top of the steps with my sunglasses on, sundress, and could feel the sun beating on every inch of my body making me too hot for comfort. If there is something I did notice at the Trevi Fountain today it was that the area was less crowded than normal. Usually around lunch time it has always been extremely packed, however I am guessing the heat kept people in other areas today. People who had been to Rome before always told me how hot it gets and I did not believe them given my experience so far, but after today’s heat at the Trevi I felt sick just trying to stand in it so my visit was cut short.

Stops along the Tour

The Trevi Fountain, also the first stop on the walk, revolves around the central sculpture and figure Neptune who is placed amongst two Tritons. Although you will see several people performing the legend of tossing coins in the fountain, this statue helps to make Trevi the most famous and largest fountain in Rome. Neptune was known as the god of the sea, riding his chariot which is shell shaped, while being pulled by two sea horses. These horses are known to represents the moods of the sea; one calm and the other angry. Two other statues to each side of Neptune help to create even more meaning to the sculpture. One symbolizes abundance and the other symbolizes health, while the fountain itself represents the sea. I believe the sculpture of Neptune in the Trevi Fountain is the most powerful to see in Rome and everyone should experience it for their self, which is why this spot has been chosen.

Pasquino, the second stop, is Rome's most known "talking statue". The statue, as it has been worn to rough marble, consists only of a man's torso and a worn face. Satirical comments, commonly about current events, were placed on the statue because freedom of speech was not welcomed at the time. These posters are still hanging all over the statue and can be read by those who visit it. Many Romans used to put messages on Pasquino at night to escape punishment and so they can be read in the morning. Pasquino used to be used to create conversation between both him and another talking statue, Marforio. To see some of the possible responses this related statue can be seen at Via del Campidoglio.

The last stop, the Capitoline Museum features many well known and interesting sculptures. Many are Classical statues which have been around since the Renaissance. Two of the most well known statues in this space are Discobolus and Dying Galatian. Discobolus, by Monnot, represents a wounded warrior, while Dying Galatian is a copy of a 3rd century Greek sculpture. Also admirable is the Hall of Philosophers which includes busts of several important scientists, literary figures, and politicians. Not only will the sculptures inside the Museum strike you with their originality and beauty, as will the exterior facade by Michelangelo.

Walking Tour

Stops Included: The Trevi Fountain, Talking Statue "Pasquino", Capitoline Museum

After indulging in Rome's best gelato at II Gelato di San Crispino, turn left out of the shop on to V. d. Lavatore where you will immediately see the Trevi Fountain in front of you which features the first stop and sculpture on our walk, Neptune. Spend about twenty minutes here examining the fine details of this powerful sculpture nestled in the water. After, continue through the piazza, crossing through V. d. Muratte and make a left on V. del Corso. Shortly up the road is Museo del Corso on the right and you will turn right on the street just after, V. d. Seminario. Continuing on this road you will cross just in front of the Pantheon. Definitley take the time to stop in and be enthralled in the beauty and history that surrounds you. Going through the piazza and down Pal. Gustiniani you will come to Corso del Rinasamento which transports you to the entrance of Piazza Navona. Take time to experience everything this area has to offer you. Stop for authentic Italian cuisine while looking out on the vast array of art vendors. In the back corner of the Piazza along V. del Governo Vecchio features Pasquino, the talking statue. This is the official second stop of the walk. Spend time, fifteen to twenty minutes or so, examining and reading the posters still hanging on the statue. Continue through the small alley right in front of the statue which will direct you on to Corso Vittorio Emanuele II. Turn left on this road and continue on the Corso until you see Lgo. Torre Argentina on the right where you will turn, and soon after make a left on V. delle Botteghe Oscure. Make a right at Pal. Multi Bussi, which will enter in to Palazzo Nuovo. Within this Piazza is our third stop, the Capitoline Museum. The museum does have an entrance fee of eight Euros. Spend atleast an hour in this museum looking at the several well known statues and sculptures inside. The two I recommend seeing are Dying Galatian and Discoboulus.

A trip to the Trastevere Flea Market

If you ever want to feel overwhelmed and bombarded by Romans, the Trastevere Flea Market is the place to do it. Entering the market I was excited to see what it had to offer especially since it was the first weekend I have been in Rome and able to experience it for myself. The first thing I noticed were the bar and food stands. Even at the flew market people gathered to have their morning espresso. The italian language filled the air as vendors yelled their items and bargains for the day, I assume. Shoppers were packed in like sardines, gathering tightly around clothes bins to try and find the best deals before others even had a chance to set their eyes on the items. The flea market was obviously a place for high crime because of how close strangers were where ever you turned, which is why I noticed both men and women carrying their bags closely in front of them, not giving anyone the chance to snatch their belongings. The majority of stands were clothes and shoes, as well as bath and kitchen items. The items were not all local, yet some other cultured items, such as Hindu customs were often found. After two hours of bargaining and browsing I started to feel extremely clostraphobic. Smoke wafted in my face so I could not breathe and people were pushing and shoving me out of the way as if on a rampage. I could not understand what anyone was saying beacause of the language barrier and at that point in time I had enough. Leaving the market I was really glad I got to experience what a typical Sunday afternoon was like for Romans from the area.

A changed meaning

Going to visit the Trevi Fountain on several occasions now, I can definitley say that how I feel about the space as well as how I have used it over the past several weeks has changed. Looking back at pictures from my first visit, as well as notes I have written in my journal I believe that in this space I have grown from a "tourist" to a "local," at least as I see it. When first entering the Piazza Fontana area I myself would always stand in front of the water throwing coins behind my shoulder, as well and sit and observe others doing the same, and that was all it really meant to me. It was a place I had seen in books and movies my entire life and even after several visits I could not get that idea out of my mind. Slowly but surely I came to find myself using the space as if I were a local. Often I find myself sitting on the Trevi Fountain's steps to relax on a break from class and talk on the phone or reflect on my day and write in my journal. Other days I will sit and socialize with friends as we eat gillato. Some days we even pass by on our way to another location without glancing twice at the fountain because at this point we have grown so accustomed to it. What I used to think was strange to me to see locals doing in the area, i find myself acting in the same manner. Observing the Trevi has came to help me understand how people use these type of spaces as a part of their everyday life.

Italian's reactions to Tom Hanks

Friday night standing at Piazza Navona I was in my complete glory. We got to the set where Tom Hanks would be shooting Angels and Deamons early so that we could get a good spot to stand and watch the movie come to life. As the film crew was setting up I looked around to notice the abundance of American viewers surrounding the gates of the set. I wondered why there was not as much security as I thought for such a top of the line actor, but quickly realized it was because of the society and culture where the movie was being shot. While standing fascinated by every light, camera, crew member, actor, and action I was constantly being tapped on the shoulder. Every time I turned around to respond it was an Italian asking me what actor was on set and which film was being shot. Often I received a response with just a nod and a quick gander over the action, and shortly they would leave. Often I saw Italians simply walk by the set as if unaffected, granted I am sure movies are being filmed often in Rome. I came to the conclusion that maybe in Rome they are not as "Hollywood Obsessed" as we are in America. I am sure they know American actors such as Tom Hanks, but they do not study his every move in the way that we do. This is probably why security measures did not seem as high as if we were in the United States. Obviously, us American's could hardly breathe as we saw Tom Hanks forcefully walking toward the camera, finding satisfaction in knowing someone so famous was standing right in front of us. It seems that the Italian culture is not as near interested in this as we are, but this is just what I drew from my observations.