In each city I visit I search for something that I call – “hummer hit”. These’re architectural masterpieces that are stunning, beautiful and unique. In Rome I found a couple. They are touristic but worth visitng Rome from any point of the world.
Fontana du Trevi
Fontana du Trevi
Statues of the Fontana du Trevi step right out of an old mansion. Rocks look like a countinuation of a house itself. I knew that we were close to this wonder, not seeing the square yet: the noise of the stream is heard from a big distance.
No matter, is it a daytime or the middle of the night, you’ll always find people around. Dozen of guards look after excited tourists, who try from time to time to dive into turquos water, or at least leave some dirt from their feet. The pool is full of coins “to be back”.
Fontana du Trevi at night
Ponte di Sant’Angelo
Ponte di Sant'Angelo
Another wonder of Roma that made my heart tremble is a bridge. Several angels statues ornate it. Ponte di Sant Angelo is a real piece of art.
Sculptures are amazing, showing gentle beauty of angels’ appearance. Each of them carry his own message to people: it’s written in Latin below each of figures. Those, who do not read in Latin, can try to guess from attributes that angels carry.
The bridge leads to the entrance of Fort Sant Angelo.
Fort St.Angelo
Sistine Chapel – to be continued…
Another wonder – the prefect creation of a genius. I’ll write more about it in a post about Vatican.
Rome counts not centuries but thousands of years. I guess, in theory – sums that are necessary to restore all the historic buildings of the Ancient city, it’s possible to built a new city.
Roma has only two metro lines. More romans just can’t afford not damaging an enomous historic layer. Archeological excavations all over the cityis a feature of modern Rome.
Rome is extremely hot in summer. Small compensation for hot weather is public water. You can find it in Rome almost everywhere, at least if to speak about touristic centre. Small fountains and pots of various shapes, forms and architecture. Mostly preserved from previous centuries, they still frankly do their job. Near the Colosseo (or simply Coliseum, as it is known all over the world) we even stood in a line for a while to make a shot. Actually, being in Italy I wanted to drink all the time. Not really pleasant feeling but finally I got used to it.
Lusiano near the historic public water spot not far from Vatican
Cats is another famous feature of Rome. But we haven’t seen many of these fluffy creatures: just several on streets. One was also noticed on a place of archeological excavation. Moreover, they established a charity project for cats and put a stand with their photos near the historic spot.
This is a parking in the centre of Rome. Wish I would have such a house : )
Anyway, all cats are scary of people in Rome. For me, who miss her cats dearly, that was a great dissapointment. Dream about hugging something fluffy and murmuring : )
From Nice we took another bus for 1 euro: number 100 that goes from station J.C.Bermond in Nice to Menton, a small town on the border with Italy.
Again we had two variants:
To go through Florence and take the route E35 to Rome;
To take the road E80 along the coast.
Menton - French side
In Menton I said “A bientot” to France. But for several hours after that I was so happy to meet French drivers. At least, I can say something to them. In Italy I feel myself dump…
Lusiano taught me several words:
Bongiorno – Good afternoon
Buonasera – Good evening
Grazie – Thank you
and “the perl” of my Italian vocabulary: vai a Roma? – are you going to Rome?
We just said “goodbye” to a man who picked us up in Ventimiglia (the first town in Italy after the border). He told us that 30 years ago, while hitch-hiking in Italy, he was stuck in Ventimiglia for 24 hours. Finally, he took a train. He confessed: that was the worst autostop in his life. Well, nothing has changed in Italy for the last 30 years!
A bientot, dear France!
In Menton we were waiting for a lift for more than an hour. Two women, driving out of a parking, stopped on a turn and our glances crossed. They said to me something – and finally we got a ride. The first question the driver asked was a joking about killers-autostoppers… hmmm…Bad reputation of hitch-hiking in Italy in action.
In Italy people have a point that taking a hitch-hiker “on board” is a doubtful and probably dangerous adventure. As my friends told me, the situation is not better in other coutries of Southern Europe, like Spain and Greece.
What will be further…
In Ventimiglia we tried to catch a car on the entrance to the route E80 – unsucessfully. Then Lusiano found a huge truck parking nearby. We spent about 40 mintutes to ask drivers who were awaken. Everyone’s departure was appointed for the next morning. But we got used to stay in shitty places in wait for a ride, so it’s fine : ) And view is awesome here, just have a look))
Picturesque truck parking in Ventimiglia, Italy
Following drivers’ advice, we camped just in the middle of parking, near administration building. Not to loose our “bon chance” we posted a paper on wall with just two words: “Genova. Roma”. And in 20 minuted a Bulgarian driver Christoff ordered us a lift and invited us to spend night in his car.
The next morning it’s appeared that his plans had changed… Then we were picked up by ex-hitchhiker, I already wrote about that above.
… Way to Rome was long and tiring. It was the longest time I’ve ever waited for lifts. We reached Genova by E80, then another small town – Messa. There we were stuck again: in the middle of the day, when the sun heats the most. A couple of hours waiting… We were already going to have a nap under the bush, but I decided to make the last attempt. And found the man who was going to Rome through Florence!!! That was our “lucky ticket”. Several hours of driving – and we are in Eternal city!!!
Eternal city
Output: autostop in Italy doesn’t really work! In France we got 5-6 lifts a day and still had much time to relax on a beach. In Italy we spent all these hours on a gas station.
No matter, is it a daytime or the middle of the night, you’ll always find people around. Dozen of guards look after excited tourists, who try from time to time to dive into turquos water, or at least leave some dirt from their feet. The pool is full of coins “to be back”.
Sculptures are amazing, showing gentle beauty of angels’ appearance. Each of them carry his own message to people: it’s written in Latin below each of figures. Those, who do not read in Latin, can try to guess from attributes that angels carry.
The bridge leads to the entrance of Fort Sant Angelo.
Follow the wind 