Domenica

2-8-2009

I love Sunday. I basically live for Sunday here. Today I woke up early and headed into Rome. I had planned a full day for myself. I wanted to go to some markets and to a Picasso exhibit. First on my list was a second hand designer market held at a hotel outside the Borghese gardens. I went to the hotel, no market. The concierge gave me the phone number of the new organizers. I will try again another Sunday after further investivation. Next, I tried to find another market that was supposed to be on some particular street in Parioli. Again, no luck. It was raining in Rome this morning (big surprise) so perhaps the markets were canceled due to the rain. 

I decided to take the tram to the center. While I was waiting at the tram stop, this weirdo came up to me and started circling me like a dog. I was totally weirded out. I moved to the other side of the crowd. He followed. I wasn't scared because there was a group of people waiting to take the tram and it was early in the day in a very nice area of Rome. I moved again, he followed. An Italian woman was watching. She started yelling at the man in Italian. He left. There are some crazy characters in Rome. It's unlike any city. Rome has a lot of problems, I think. It's hard to get the population to obey any laws and poverty seems a little out of control. I did not see so many weirdos in Paris. I still prefer Rome, though. There is so much history in Rome. It blows my mind. Some times I walk around and think of all the people who walked the same steps that I am walking now. CRAZY. 

I took the tram to the Colosseum. It is so beautiful. I listened in on some tour guides. Thirty percent of the Colosseum is now missing. Not bad considering its age. The Picasso exhibit was located in Piazza Venezia, just in front of the monument. I bought a ticket and went inside. The exhibit highlighted the year 1917. Apparently Picasso lived in Rome that year and painted The Italian Woman (the photo of the painting is above). The show was fantastic. I am so amazed that one artist could have so many styles. I spent a long time at the show. All the readings were in Italian, of course. I simply have to learn Italian. I'm starting to get really frustrated that I can't speak or read the language. I start Italian class March 2.

After Picasso, I walked to Trastevere and had a gelato. Limone is my favorite flavor. It's the perfect combination of sweet and tart. I walked in and out of the streets around Santa Maria di Trastevere. I love this neighborhood. It's exactly what comes to mind when I think of Italy. There was a night market I wanted to find on Monte Testaccio. Testaccio is supposed to be a popular are for young people and night clubs. The name of this market was Pulp Fashion. I walked from Trastevere to Testaccio. It was a really long walk. This area of Rome is really old. I was completely surprised by the neighborhood. I dunno, I'm glad to live in Parioli. Once again, I could not find the market. 

I took a bus from Testaccio to Via del Corso. It was 8 o'clock. I walked around and did some window shopping. The stores were closing. Some stayed open 'til 9. I was really tired at this point and ready to head home. I don't know how late the buses run on Sunday. I went to a cafe and had some pizza and a beer. Then I headed to Piazza San Silvestro to catch my bus to Parioli. When I arrived home, I told Federico and Camilla all about my day. Camilla told me there is a good antique market in via flamina I should try. She also told me about a magazine called Roma Che. It is a weekly publication that lists everything there is to do in Rome. Next time. I'll be better prepared.