Trevi Fountain at night
Few people visit Rome without making the Trevi Fountain a priority on their list of must-sees. The waters of the fountain come from an acqueduct that runs primarily underground, and was built from a spring some 20km east of the city. I am always taken off guard by the fact that you can hear the sound of the water before you can see the fountain. It's as though the fountain is calling out, drawing me to itself. Someday I hope to happen upon this square when few people are about, but, alas, everytime I've been there it's been quite crowded.
Many of us first saw the fountain in a movie. It's been featured in Roman Holiday (with Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn), Three Coins in the Fountain, and La Dolce Vita in which Anita Eckberg takes a dip in the waters and must be rescued by Marcello Mastroianni. When Signore Mastrioanni died in 1996 the fountain was temporarily silenced and draped in black as a tribute.
I've done some research, but have not been able to find the source of the tradition that if you throw a coin over your shoulder into the fountain's waters you will be rewarded with good luck and assured a return to Rome. The coins are collected every Monday morning when the pumps are shut down for cleaning and I did find that it is estimated that 3,000 euro per day are recovered during this process. The money goes to the church organization Caritas which helps those in need within the city. So, feel free to toss those extra euro into the fountain -- if nothing else, you're helping the needy! I will continue to contribute by tossing my coin right alongside those of the thousands of other visitors - just in case.
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Musicians at the Piazza Navona
There is no shortage of entertainment on the streets of Rome. The variety and level of professionalism range from well thought out and carefully practiced -- to those who seem to simply enjoy finding an audience for their passion -- to someone who looks like he grabbed the first instrument he could find, sat down with a hat in front of him, and tried to learn to play -- to those who derive great pleasure entertaining others. I think one of the best things about lingering and exploring areas slowly is the freedom to stop and enjoy the many unexpected pleasures along the way.
For me, sometimes the sounds provide mood music when I'm checking out a piazza while someone plays an instrument nearby; while other times I must pause and find a place to stop and give my full attention to the music. I still am somewhat uncomfortable with the constant presence of beggers because I'm unsure of when and/or how to offer assistance, but I thoroughly enjoy tossing an euro or two into an open guitar case.
My all-time favorite has to be the man in the following pictures. My brother and I were walking back to my apartment in the Trastevere section of Rome and, just a couple of blocks from my place, we came upon this guy. It looks like he has a hodge-podge of items here, but he was amazingly talented musically. His personality was off the hook! He really related with his audience. At one point a group of college-aged youth stopped and began dancing and marching around. He rummaged through his box of goodies, produced a train whistle, and led them in a chain dance. I wish there was a way I could convey how entertaining he was.
Whenever you travel...... wherever you go....... even around your neighborhood....... find time to enjoy the unexpected pleasures around you.
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Trastevere
I am always intrigued by steps, especially old, unkempt stone ones. I find that I photograph them regularly and realize that my mind begins to ponder their stories. How long have they been there? Who has climbed them? Who has sat upon them while eating a meal or reading a book? Here in Italy people frequently put a plant or pot of flowers on each step that leads to their door which always causes me to imagine that the plants are working their way up to the door in an attempt to enter.
These steps are in Trastevere just off a main street and they lead to the quiet, older residential section of the town. ---------> Sometimes it's difficult to determine where steps lead until you actually take the time to climb them. They fascinate me.
Sometimes steps lead to monuments. Steps which are outside the many churches and cathedrals are occupied by the poor and the beggers awaiting me to exit after spending time with the God of riches. Most fountains have steps surrounding them where, on a pleasant day, people can be found eating gelato or pizza - or both! Steps are one of the reasons I can eat pasta, pizza, and gelato when I'm here and still lose weight. I like steps. They keep my heart pumping vigorously. They lead me up, up, and up to my apartment.
There are wide steps such as the Spanish steps and there are narrow ones leading to private homes. Some are gated, most are not. In churches, there are the steps that lead to the altar and, perhaps, to a new life for a lost soul. There are never-ending designes, shapes, sizes, and purposes of steps. Perhaps one day I will put together a book that is dedicated to them. They deserve someone to do it.
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