62. Traveling day back to the USA

Woke up so early was afraid I would oversleep

Waited outside for the airport shuttle with my bags in a heap.

Rome Fuimico is not a very large airport terminal

So I checked my bags and self in without a lull.

Flew on British Airways to London for a 4 hour wait,

Used all my Euros up on coffee a'lait.

Had to switch terminals, catch another bus tram.

Got to American Airlines, found my seat and sat next to a Romanian.

She didn't speak any English, so throughout the ride I translated for her,

What kind of dinner or drink would she like, and how to fill out the immigration transfer.

An eight hour flight and I didn't sleep,  but watched three films in six hour time.

Arrived at O'Hara and waited for one hour in the international lines.

Couldn't find my son, but contacted him by airport pager, he didn't call

Got on Skype and found him at the international terminal down the hall.

Somehow for the past hour, we missed each other,

But got together at last, with my son and his daughters.

So relieved and exhausted to see a familiar face and sites.

I kept forgetting where I was and would answer in Italian bites.

Now to begin another phase in my life.

And will take everything in with patience and strife.

I learned so much about myself and this world as it is.

I appreciated everything that has happened and am accepting what life has to give.

61. Wrapping up Rome

The last day to see the sites, I am tired as ever.

Catch bus number 59 to the Tiber River.

Meet a British couple that steer me in the right direction

To find the Trevi Fountain, to throw my coins in for inspiration.

I turned a corner on a cobble stone street, I heard rushing water and it suddenly appeared.

 There are so many art students and tourist that are sitting everywhere

I thought of the movie "Dolce Vida" 

And, reminded myself that I much once again see it.

Around the corner is the Piazza della Minerva, it's so small,

Centered in the plaza is an elephant supporting an Egyptian obelisk rising so tall.

There are about six Egyptian obelisk stolen during Roman times

Situated in several places you will find.

The Pantheon wasn't too far to walk

When I arrived, silence inside is a must, do not talk.

The Pantheon is a temple to the Gods within

Preserved since lst century AD, designed by Emperor Hadrian.

It is a musolem for emperors and rulers past.

The pillars and dome are gigantic, reminders of what has last.

Walking out from the Pantheon a demonstration is taking place

About an environmental issue and a legal case.

I was told to go to Piazza Navona, known as the centro storico

That has be inhabited since 2,000 years ago.

It hasn't changed too much over the years,

Still a haven for cafes, performers, musicians and artist launching their careers.

Two fountains adorn the Piazza, Bernini's Fontana dei Fiumi

And the muscle bound Moor in the Fontana del Moori.

Listened to music from street performers as they sing
And taking in all the joy they bring.

Watching all the people relax at the cafe

And people watching during the day.
A stop to Campo di'Fiori market to find,
One of the most liveliest and roughest areas during Medieval times.

Its still reflects that noisy atmoshere,
Of vendors yelling their arms and selling their wares in the air.
The fruit is superb, the flowers brilliant,

I eat my oranges on the edge of the hooded statue in the centre.

This marked the spot for the regular executions,
And the burning at the stake of philosopher Bruno for his revelations
That the earth moved around the sun!

I walk along the Tiber River of the lovely canopy trees
Reflecting on how fast the world changes all around me.

The island in the river was once where the Jewish slaves were brought
But now the island is home to a hospital and healing synagogue.

The narrow streets around Piazza di Spagna is one of the most exclusive areas in Rome

 

The fountain Barcaccia sunk into the pavement at the foot of the steps

Due to low water pressure, designed by Pietro.

Drawing tourists to elegant shops, cafes around Via Condotti.
In the early 1800's this was the place to be seen
From artists, composers, writers,  aristocrats & queens.
People rest and eat lunch on the Spanish steps built in the 17th century
Still  busy with students, artists and tourists visiting today.

A day well done, but time to catch the bus.
One last time of being crowded and squashed.
Arrive at the main terminal and cross the street to get by bags.
Thank God, they are still there and no time to lag.
Have to catch a bus tram to the airport hotel
Because my plane leaves too early to catch the shuttle.
Arrive in one hour and now to catch a taxi to the hotel
A nice dinner, a few skype phone calls...
Then to bed!

60. Vatican and St. Petersburg

I only have two days left on my adventure 'til I go home,

And I better go see the main attraction of Rome.

I took the city bus number 109 

To the Vatican to not wait in line.

I had bought entrance tickets at the station

So I wouldn't have to stand for hours, I am impatient.

I walked around and around the walls that enclose the Vatican

Only to see 100's waiting

But I bought an entrance ticket with a dating.

At 10:30 I bypass all the crowds and lines

Enter freely, just in time.

I had no idea that the Vatican was such a vast museum

I thought so similar to all the things that I have been seeing.

The Vatican became a sovereign state in 1929,

Governed only by the pope, the only absolute monarch of this time.

The church hundreds of years ago, began collecting relics of the past

To preserve any history of our planet so that they will last.

I entered the Egyptian rooms full of preserved mummies intact,

Jewels, inscriptions and other artifacts.

The Vatican is a maze and I did get lost and dizzy,

Winding from room to room, it was all too busy.

Original statues from the Greek, Roman and Etruscan era

Adorned rooms as you walked around them and stared

Beautiful works of art, by artist long forgotten over years,

I believe these are more beautiful than the famous here.

I saw the four rooms of Raphael's 1600's frescoes,

Beautifully painted when he was just twenty or so.

Of course, the Sistine Chapel was a must to see

With Michaelangelos painted fresco of Genesis, God creating.

You are not allowed to take photos, the guards said in haste,

But I held the camera up towards the ceiling at my waist.

Shot whatever came out and loved the fact to be a bit defiant.

Thinking that Michaelangelo was a bit of a tyrant.

The spiral staircase in the museum, leading up and down,

Was designed in 1932 by Momo, flowing in a helix surround.

A few blocks away, you walk to St. Petersburg square,

Entering the area, it is one of the largest plazas there.

Religious ceremonies and canonizations of the pope

All has happened here, so that Christians have hope.

The entrance are bronze door decorated with biblical reliefs

From 1439 to 1445 designed by Filarete.

St. Peter ws buried in 64 AD on a site within the room.

In 324 Constantinople constructed the basilica over his tomb.

Now stands the Papal Alter that reaches the dome.

Each pillar stands for a saint buried within Rome.

There is a statue of St. Peter that you must touch to be blessed,

Rub his feet and let God to the rest.

Over the centuries, the bronze is worn on his feet,

Again, I think of the millions of people that have come to his seat.

At the Alter, I saw many couples asking nuns to take their photo,

Then the asked me to take their picture before they go.

Many couples seemed to surround us

And before I knew it, I was the photo princess.

I joked to the nuns that we should charge.

One said, "That's a great idea, we will split the profits, no matter how large."

I introduced myself and the sisters to me,

They all had traveled from New Jersey.

They joked about how many living rooms

Their photos would consume.

We chatted for minutes, I guessed,

One said that she could tell that I was truly blessed.

For being so fortunate to have such a gift given to me

And to appreciate all that I have done and seen.

I thanked them and we all hugged,

Thinking to myself, there are no coincidence in life to be shrugged.

I walked around the chapel to see the works of art

In this magnificent basilica, with it's history parts.

Michaelangelo's Pieta was created in 1499,

Scuptured when he was 25 in his prime.

Many martyrs are buried here,

St. Catherine, St. Andrew as well as the body of Pope John XXIII still preserved.

I leave St. Peter's Basilica and glance at the plaza

Getting ready for Easter services and all the masses.

I glance to the right and their are the nuns,

Still getting photos until they are undone.

One sees me and motions for me to come over

Here's our photographer, Vittoria,  we know her.

We chat some more and then it is time to leave

Wishing them all the best on their journey across the seas.

I am exhausted, so back to the hotel room,

Where I collapse and slept the next day until noon.