Oggi In Italia: Above and Beyond Expectations!
You know when you are thinking about a place that you are going to visit and you dream about what it will be like...and your mind is filled with all these expectations?? Then, (has this happened to you) you arrive there and it is nothing like what you expected and you are a little disappointed because, let’s face it, nothing in real life can possibly live up to your pre-conceived notions and expectations. Well, that is NOT what happened in this case. From the moment we crossed the Tiber...
and stopped into that region that is called Trestevere...(It comes from the Latin which means “beyond the Tiber”) if felt as if all my thoughts, ideas and expectations were being exceeded, above and beyond what I thought could be possible. The region is so typical of what you would think to be Italian... Unlike America where everything is always being upgraded in the cities...this has been left to its original charm, in every way. I would have never thought it possible...but my mind was blown with each new experience. We came there to enjoy a little lunch.
There was pasta, of course and salad...then some tiramisu and something with wild berries, called frutta dalla foresta. We enjoyed a leisurely lunch while enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of the region.
Back tracking a little, I must say driving in Italy is quite a challenge. I’m glad that I’m not doing that! Let’s just say the traffic signals are strong suggestions... When the little walk sign is Verde (green) you mustn’t just step out onto the street. You make eye contact with the driver first and then maybe a little motion with your hand as you start to proceed...he usually stops for you, but not always. Proceed with caution.
Parking is also very interesting. I learned you can fit a car into places that no one in America would even attempt. You would not believe if I didn’t show you.
She actually parked here, with her manual transmission car!
We first visited the Bocca Della Verita, where legend has it, if you tell a lie, this god will bite your hand off! Here we are trying it out! and a picture from the popular Holiday in Rome.
Actually as I stood there looking at the site I was reminded of Jesus’ words to Nathaniel...
"Now here is a genuine son of Israel--a man of complete integrity." I can only pray that I might have that much veritas in my character! Even the ancient Romans, who did not know God, revered Truth!
We then entered the church where this site is housed. It is called the Basilica de Santa Maria which houses the Crypto di Adriano, which I believe is Pope Hadrian I.
The church was built on top of a shrine to the god Hercules.
Outside the church is a square which houses a Baroque fountain and a circular temple which is named after the Temple of Vesta in the Forum.
One of the first sites that I photographed was the Circo Massimo (Circus Maximus) which I have taught about so many times. It just looks like a giant dirt track now, but at one time there were grand chariot races there, like the ones depicted in Ben Hur.
After lunch we visited the Aventine Key Hole, on the advice of Mauriceo (one of Gianna’s sons who stepped out of the office to enjoy a bit of conversation with us at lunch.) It is near the Giardino di Aranci (Garden of Oranges) named for the many orange trees growing there. Through this tiny key hole, is arranged a perfect perspective of a garden area with Saint Peter’s Basilica in the far distance, completely lined up!
This is the picture I took with my iPhone...
But this is what I actually saw.
We speculated on whether or not this building and garden and keyhole were planned or just a miracle.
Can I tell you the story of Saint Peter, as it has been related to me through study. “Concerning the manner of Peter's death, we possess a tradition — attested to by Tertullian at the end of the second century (see above) and by Origen (in Eusebius, Church History II.1)—that he suffered crucifixion. Origen says: ‘Peter was crucified at Rome with his head downwards, as he himself had desired to suffer’.” According to Foxe’s Book of Christian Martyrs, he said that he was unworthy to die in the same manner as his Lord, so the Romans crucified him upside down.
That brings me to a very interesting thing that happened. We were traveling in the top of a tour bus, seeing the sites, and listening to a recording in English as we progressed through the city.
When we got to the Colosseum, the guide proceeded to explain that there were gladiatorial contests that took place as well as many other expeditions, but that “there was no historical evidence that Christians were ever executed in this place!” I turned to Gianna and said, apparently the “revisionist” are hard at work in your country as well, attempting to change history and remove any aspect that they prefer NOT to remember or that is not politically correct. She agreed, that it was ludicrous to say such a thing. Then we happened upon this lovely advertisement. Sadly, the picture I attempted to take must not have taken. It was a picture of Obama with the Italian expression:
cambiando passato! There were two other words, but she said, “What can this mean? How can you ‘change the past?” It is ludicrous..the past is the past and you can’t change it...but we agreed that this is exactly what we were just talking about! They are attempting to rewrite history!!! On both sides of the Atlantic! They would do well to remember the saying, “Those who forget the lessons of the past are destined to repeat it!” It seems, I can’t get away from politics, even on vacation! Did I mention there was a big demonstration going on while we were there. The government is trying to re-invent their education, and the people are not happy with this. Sound familiar??
There are very beautiful ever green trees here, that are classic to the Mediterranean Region. They are called Pini trees and they appear to be very old.
We ended the day with that photo and headed back to our flat. Kat and I strolled the neighborhood and purchased a Buffolo Pizza (cooked in a large wood fired stone oven). The crust was thin, and a little crispy, but not hard. There were little burn spots on it, characteristic of bread cooked in this type of oven. It was delicious! We will be going back. Day 2 complete. We both agreed that it felt like 5 days worth of activities!! ABOVE AND BEYOND EXPECTATIONS! Ciao!