Happy again : )
Trip Start
Nov 24, 2005
1
27
40
Trip End
Jan 08, 2006
Rome, Italy
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
That awed feeling I was looking for, I mean. First thing in the morning, I found it at the Pantheon. I just shut out all the noise and the other tourists, and there it was!
Rome is actually quite amazing. I think I was just not in the right frame of mind to appreciate it before. But the noise, pollution and crowds are just a part of what makes it Roma.
The gorgeous, gorgeous old buildings and ruins are wonderful. Funniest thing is that until very recently (as recently as the 1970s) cars and traffic were still allowed to drive through most of these sites (including the Colesseum)!
Every time I write Colesseum, I think I am spelling it wrong. Am I?
And the Italians themselves take it all for granted. But I just imagine what these buildings must have looked like in their hey-day, when they were first constructed, and it blows my mind. They're impressive now, but what would they look like whole and unblemished?
The shopping is shite, I'm afraid. But I found one store that sells trousers (yes, I have abandoned the word 'pants' after the giggles they prompted) that fit wonderfully and feel FANTASTIC!!! Finally, a store in the WHOLE OF EUROPE (slight exaggeration maybe) that makes jeans and skirts that do not make me feel like an elephant.
I got overly excited, and bought 2 pairs of jeans (one full length and one 3/4) and a knee length denim skirt. Not cheap, but worth it, I think! Now I have something to wear with my boots. Yay!
Had an interesting conversation with Arvs. Not the first time we have had this conversation actually... the one where I explain to him that we are not attached at the hip, and if he has something he wants to do, he can go off and do it, or vice versa (eg. when I shop or stop at a monument taking extra pictures, I don't want him standing to the side, checking his watch - which he does ALL THE TIME!!). About the 100th time I have told him this, but this time, it got to the stage where I was gesturing violently with my arms and face and moving around animatedly (just like a REAL Italian - love it!). He finally seemed to get it.
He even relaxed enough not to follow me to the internet cafe this morning. He is back at the hotel having a shower... bliss, the first moment I have had to myself in weeks and weeks.
No offence to Arvs, he is a lovely lovely guy. But I need my space... Not used to spending 24/7 with someone. Too claustrophobic. Plus most of you know that I like my independece and the freedom to do my own thing, instead of having to 'check in' all the time, or being questioned everytime I take a step in the opposite direction (even if it's only to go to the bathroom... do you know how FRUSTRATING that is???).
hehe oh yeah, and I've changed the settings so that you guys can post comments in reply to each of my entries. Due to popular demand (Christopher Mallalue, this is for you baby!). So feel free to do so!
Behave yourselves!!
Yeah right. Don't know why I bother!
LoL
love
parns
