When in Rome...
Orange chocolate gelato, can't beat it. Caramel cream; close second. Pistachio; tried it, hated it. Nutella( a.k.a. Italian peanut butter), we'll pass. We can still smell the aroma of freshly baked olive bread and roasted tomato foccacia. Now that your mouths are watering, let us tell you what we can about the bewildering city of Roma, Italy.
We seem to have a way with arriving at the right time. The evening we arrived in Rome the city was energized about their annual "Carte Bianco" Festival. Carte bianco translates to White Night and all of the museums, stores, restaurants, and shops are open from 8p.m-8a.m. There are stages set up everywhere for FREE live performances of theatre, dance, music and other artistic fanfare. It is somewhat of a Taste of Chicago gone wild, but without lake Michigan, or the traffic, or the bad food, well anyway, you get the point.Lol. The city truly comes alive. You can feel the energy pulsating around you and this constant buzz is intoxicating. Moonlight stages, sweat dripping from clad tourists, and dancers flourishing in a parade of their showcased talent. We stayed out late, feasted on delicious food, and walked, walked, walked. The city is exotic at night and simply beautiful when lit up.
Our visit to the Colosseum was nothing short of spectacular. You can still hear the screams of the spectators and the howls of the barbarically slaughtered wild animals. The debachery, control, power, and shameful display of humanity, that were the Colosseum seeps out of the crumbling walls and pierces your soul. 5,000 wild beasts were killed in the opening week. The stadium packed in around 70, 000 onlookers. The show was run by unfortunate slaves. The whole concept is mind baffling. WHAT REALLY WENT ON? Did we mention that this all took place in 80 A.D? It is inconceivable to understand the horror that went on behind these walls, all for the sake of sport, yet there seems to be a pattern. Humans are frenzied by violence and continue to use violence as a means to an end. WE ( meaning Brad and Sam) do not believe humans are violent by nature, but history keeps repeating itself. War, violence, war, violence, war,... oh, and the cause of many of these wars...Religion. Which brings us to our next roman experience: The Churches.
Domes adorned with gold paint, vivid paintings depicting every biblical parable possible, and a sensation of the power that resides within the in Catholic church, are ever present in Rome. We were fortunate enough to be able to visit many churches and Holy places in this marvelous city. One does not have to be religious to appreciate the grandiose and magnificent works of art
located within these Holy walls. So many depictions of Christ and the Crucifixion, almost makes a believer in me...
The Vatican and the Sistine Chapel: One MUST experience it to comprehend the aesthetical beauty of it all. The only thing we find confusing is that sooo much of the artwork tell stories of murder, torture, war, and bloodshed...All in the name of God. Would this God truly approve of all of this bloodshed in her name?lol. It seems contradictory, but it is still pristine anyway. As far as we are concerned, Michelangelo should be worshiped because he was genuinely a master of the Arts! We would like to end with some words by U2...
One love, one life, sisters, brothers
One life and we are not the same but we need to carry each other...........
Right? We are all not the same but that is what makes us all so unique....PEACE!
Love from the most Catholic place on earth-