Rome - A Perfect Last Day

God, Art, Old Rocks and Great Food is how I'd summarize it … pretty much what you'd expect for a great day in Rome!

I started the day by heading out of the center to one of the 4 main basilicas in Rome that had been recommended to me – the church of San Paolo. It was huge and stunning in it's simplicity – more gothic style I believe. Then headed back into town and by fortuitous accident, found myself at the church of Sain Maria Maggiore – there was some kind of celebration or special service happening as there were lots of people, a Cardinal on his way out and the tail end of a service in the main part of the church. I decided to sit and observe the service – as I think I've said, I'm not overly religious but I do have faith. And something happened in that church – when everyone greeted each other and sang together, there was such a strong feeling of true community that I was taken aback by my emotions. There are many things of the Roman Catholic faith that I don't agree with but there, with the commitment to their faith and community was something to part of if only for a few minutes.

In my wanders from there to the Galleria Doria Pamphili, while looking for a sushi restaurant from my guide book, I stumbled across what ended up being the best pizza I've had. My philosophy over the past week is that there is really no reason not to have pizza every day – it just somehow would be wrong not too. (The idea was kindly concurred by my father – from whom I acquired said love of the food to be truthful!) It was a little spot with lots of locals and it was very, very good – one piece potato and the other zucchini – another thing I am going to have to try and make when I go home!

The museum itself was alright – more overwhelming for me from an art perspective – just too many paintings I knew nothing about. The main highlight though was a portrait of a Pope by Velazquez accompanied by a sculpture of the same pope by Bernini – it was a good combination and the painting was quite amazing – apparently when the Pope saw it, his comment was 'ah yes, that really is me' – a testament to the realism of Velazquez' work – see I am learning a little! But what I enjoyed most about the museum was the palazzo and how it was decorated – incredibly ornate and huge – and it had been lived in up to about the 50s or 60s based on the furniture and décor. A peak into history.

Then came the old stones of the Forum, Palatine and Colosseum – I had saved them to the end, in part because I kept avoiding going during the heat – which seemed to last all day ... so on my last day, they could be avoided no longer. I did get an audio guide which was helpful. Pretty sure I didn't appreciated all the rocks to the extent I “should” have – but I was impressed – again, such an incredible new perspective on the concept of 'old' – hard to imagine. I enjoyed the Colosseum the most – given how much of it is still standing, I could take myself back to that time and age – my mental picture of Russell Crowe in the Gladiator didn't hurt either!

Finally, a last dinner in one of my local restaurants – and believe it or not, well with all the pizza, you should believe it, my first pasta of the trip! I've never been a huge fan – I like it but don't love it and hardly ever have it at home. Clearly, this is because I am not having the right kind ... wow – I had something simple: thick pasta with cheese and pepper. I like simple food and this was one of the best dishes of pasta in my life – all the richness of the butter and cheese and pow of the pepper were perfect together. Something else to try and recreate ... I have an idea – a yoga workshop in the hills of Tuscany combined with cooking classes and good wine ... think I really could be on to something here!

Arrivederci Roma ... a magical city, lemmings and all, and I will be back!