Catchup with Becky

with Becks

Becky was my seatmate and buddy when I joined the Moose tour back in Canada. The trip started from Vancouver all the way to Jasper National Park. And that's how it all started. 

Becky was on her first North America trip from London. Graduating with a degree of Psychology, she was then exploring the world on her own, something she was a little bit anxious about. I understood how she felt. We agreed it was more of who you would be meeting and sharing the experience with that seems to be scary at some point. 

She was back in England by the time I was on my way to London. Good timing coz she was on her way to London visiting friends and family. So we decided to catch up right after I got off the plane from Rome. 

It was really great seeing her again. We couldn't stop reminiscing about the Moose trip and of course I got updated with all of the goss after I left the group. They all found their way back to Vancouver why I opted to be dropped off at Jasper as I was well on my way to Edmonton after. 

She's found a job back at her hometown and would be soon seeing Flor in Amsterdam. Flor was another great gal we met on the Moose tour. 

I gave her a book I was reading. It was written by an English bloke entitled "An Idiot around the World Part II". It was hilarious, and that was my company whilst on my trip in Rome. I opted for something to do with travel, not too heavy and also inspiring at the end. She was flustered when I gave it to her, telling her that after she finishes it, she can pass it on to someone else she might deem worthy. 

After 2 hours I hugged her as she knew I had to rush along and go to my cousins place. We knew we would still see each other again somewhere somehow. It was a great feeling to be catching up with the people I've met earlier on this journey.

Last few moments in Rome

The following day I took my time coz my flight was in the afternoon. The girls left early, my roomies. I snuggled for a while in my bed before I dragged myself to have a shower and pack up. 

Rome was a last-minute decision. My filler for the extra time I had in Europe due to the extension I had to do for the China visa wait. For whatever reason, I felt like I was meant to be there at that point in time. And I think it was fair enough to say that everything did work out more than fine. So many unexpected events, but all memorable. 

I walked my way to Termini and passed by an old lady who was homeless and gave her a few things that I didn't need to take with me. As she smiled I could see her weary eyes look back at me with signs of gratitude. 

The flight was delayed and people weren't at all surprised. That was RyanAir for you, they all said. Well that was my last flight on RyanAir. I was bound back to London, my final stop before I left Europe. 

It was again a weird feeling.

My Last Day in Rome

On my last day in Rome I decided to take it easy. There was one last place I wanted to see, San Lorenzo. Why? well, I wanted to see Contemporary art, something to break the oldish Roman art that filled almost the whole city. San Lorenzo was actually a happening place, filled with a lively night scene, restaurants, pubs and cafes. But I wasn't there to eat out nor drink out. I was there for the street art scene. As I walked around I couldn't stop fixating my eyes on a stretch of wall with art painted all over.

These were all artworks created by the various contemporary artists of Rome.  The main name always mentioned in blogs and articles is Hogre. He seemed to have had a big impact on the history of street art around Rome. But of all the paintings, I adored those by Alice Pasquini a visual artist from Rome who's an illustrator, set designer and painter. She graduated from Rome's Academy of Fine Arts and has shared her artwork around the globe.

Maybe it wasn't that Personal, but I was Up Close Enough

Wednesday. It was a Wednesday. The day I've waited for. The Papal Audience.

I thought I woke up early enough but when I got to St. Peter's Square, I realized 8:30 was Sooo LATE. The crowd was chaotic, no line visible at all and everyone had a yellow paper in their hand. So much for planning. We were all there for the Papal Audience. 

I squeezed through, happy that I was by myself and so it was easier for me to slip through crevices in the crowd. I knew they wouldn't mind one person getting ahead or joining their queue. I eventually was lucky to get close to the arches of the Square. 

My determination paid off more than expected. I met an Italian lady in the crowd who could speak Tagalog and Spanish. I was surprised when she told me in my language to talk to her in Tagalog. Apparently she lived in the Philippines for 20 years. I then learned that she was a Nun accompanying her nephew who was a seminarian. He was rather shy and didn't speak much English, but friendly enough to make me feel comfortable with the idea of joining them for the morning. 

We found a place right in front of the second fence, a little bit far away from the stage but right in front of the

pathway where the Pope was to parade. Perfect spot. Plus, we had the 2 big screens on both sides, so we wouldn't really miss out on anything.

I sat there amazed by the vibe of everyone's excitement as we looked at our watches, awaiting the time when we'd see him pass by. It was the last Papal Audience for the month and also for the summer season. Winter Papal Audience were to be attended in the Basilica due to the weather conditions. 

I listened to the crowd and all of the different languages exchanged. Flags from different countries were flapping against the wind. The weather was on our side and everyone was happy. The emcee called out congregations who were there to visit the Pope. For each country that was called, the people cheered and waved the flag. I smiled and tried to capture the moment. 

Time ticked away and there he was, Pope Francis from Argentina parading through. He waved at the people and gave blessings to the babies who Mothers willingly reached out. As he approached our area, that was when I realized the people around us were all from Argentina. I felt tears welling up because of the rush of emotions. How I wish Mom was there, she would have been so happy. I texted my family and close friends that I was just 4-5 steps away from the Pope. I was so happy. 

He gave his speech in Latin which was eventually translated to several languages. I was happy too that the Nun beside me was trying her best to translate it to me without missing out on absorbing the Pope's speech. i just couldn't believe I was there at that very moment.

After the speech, I said goodbye to the Nun and her nephew. I was on a mission. I wanted to get up to the domes of the Basilica. And so, because of the wave of people wanting to exit the Square, I decided to jump over the fences to avoid them. The first effort was about to go disastrous until someone pulled me right on time to get my balance right. From there, I got the right strategy until I found myself at the steps of the Basilica. perfect! 

It was a little bit of a wait, but I eventually got there. i was really lucky that day, I got a discount to use the lift. :) So I found my way there, second person for the afternoon. Yehey! I didn't realize that there were more steps as you get out of the lift. But it was all well worth it. From there was the stunning top view of St.Peter's Square. Perfect way to end my eventful day in Rome! :)

Ostia Antica

The amphiteatre

I woke up the following day more pumped up. I was very much looking forward to Ostia Antica (http://www.ostia-antica.org/), 30 kilometers from Rome. Great! I knew I'd have the site to myself, well at least, have some moments where I can walk around and absorb everything around me. 

Ostia (mouth) Antica was Rome's seaport and they've said it might have been where the first colony of Rome once stood. The oldest find dates back to 4 BC. It was amazing to read that as early as 68 BC pirates were already active in the market of sacking what seems to be a good source of resources. Come to think of it, I couldn't imagine that during those centuries, there were already people who were cruel enough to savage other places. 

The port was set on fire, the consular fleet diminished and two senators were kidnapped. Pompey the Great then suggested to start the law Lex Gabinia which allowed him to raise an army and destroy the pirates. By the 2nd century it got filled with 50,000 inhabitants.

Although it was far away, I didn't actually find it a hassle. I walked again to my favourite transpo place to be, The Termini station. From there I took Metro B heading for Laurentina. I got off at the Piramide Station and transferred to the Ostia Lido Train. After a long travel, I got off at Ostia Antica stop. From there I found it easy to find my way because there were signs pointing to the site. It was a little bit of a walk but I found it relaxing because of the cool ocean breeze coming in. 

I paid the entrance fee and started my way through the site. That was when I realized how massive the whole town was. The stretch of debris, left over buildings.... it was great and I could imagine how the society could have had thrived in such a place. 

There was even a building there that served a pub. it was really cute as I sat down there for a while imagining Romans in their white robes and using the place to commune and share stories. There were also portions where intricate artistry on the floors existed. 

I enjoyed that day so much. Obviously I spent the whole day there allowing my feet to drag me anywhere I can go through, small arches, grassfields, around statues. It was amazing. 

I'd highly recommend visiting this place if you pass by Rome. :)

Exploring Rome

Just Walking

I recall years ago when the line from a Nike advert was picked up so quick by the public.. Just Do It! So after a 2-3 days of rest I decided to get up and fight the shaking knees. Oh yes... 

With enough energy, my eyes were more adept to my surroundings. The cobbled streets around the area looked old and a little bit rundown, but the vibe compensated it with life. Italian music sounded more familiar this time and the scent of pizza and pasta made my taste buds crave. But I was on a mission. To make up for lost time.

I found my way to Termini Station and headed for the Colosseum. Prior research told me it was best to buy the tickets at The Forum which was the next door neighbor. A strategy to avoid the long queues most especially in the summer months. You can also purchase the ticket online and get to line up at the fast lane. Or, another option was to go there a little bit late in the afternoon. I opted for the latter.

The queue was manageable but a lot of people were complaining already. Because I was still under the weather, I decided to flow with the crowd until I get my ticket. The fee was 12 Euros for adults, valid for 2 days and gives you access to the Colosseum, the Forum and Palatino. Not bad right?


The Colosseum

To be honest, before I got on the train, I was thinking to myself, "geez, another overrated place to go to where swarms of tourists would just annoy me." But, when I got out of the station and walked a few steps.... the facade before me was dumbfounding. Okay, so I was impressed.
This structure was initially constructed back in 72 AD during the Flavian Dynasty, era of Emperor Vespasian. The amazing elliptical design measures 188m by 156m with a height of 48m. Interestingly enough, it can accommodate 55,000 spectators. On the hundredth day, games were held by the next Emperor Titus, to inaugurate the building in 80AD, when it was completed. It has been said that approximately 9000 animals were slaughtered. I wasn't really sure if it was because of the games or if they were eaten. The portion of the building that now exhibits a crevice where debris must have fallen, is a living testament to the earthquake that befell the structure in 847. The marble cladding were later then used for buildings like St. Peter's Basilica and Palazzo Farnese.

I found it a little bit daunting when I entered, swarms of tourists flowed between arches, with so many efforts to have their faces in almost every photo. There were groups with guides and some who just wandered around touching the structures. At first I couldn't appreciate the grandeur. So I told myself, I'd better see this from a different angle or else I would have just wasted the money and effort to be there.

A lot of these along the streets

I later on found a more quiet spot down the hallway of arches, a little bit far away from the crowd. I soaked in the view and imagined the place centuries ago when gladiators fought their battles. Indeed, Romans were more fierce than Greek. It was then that it dawned on me how history proved such statements.

After reading through the writings they've put up, I decided to have one last look from the inside and then move on to the Forum, next door neighbor. As I got out of the Colosseum, I found a small hill to the right and walked up to get a good shot of the walls from the outside. I imagined roman robes flaring against the wind as they stood tall, mesmerized by this great structure. I took a break and bought myself bread for lunch from one of the street stalls.

The Forum & Palatino

Right beside the Colosseum stands the Palatine Hill and the Forum. Both with great significance to the Roman empire and the history of what was once a great nation.

The Roman Forum was said to be the main central area of the city, that goes without saying, this must have served as the birthplace of the ancient Roman empire. It served as the place to go to for religious activities, commerce, business, cult, prostitution and administration of justice. Weird if you look at the mix. The whole stretch of the street walks you along the Temple of Saturn, Temple of Vesta, Arch of Titus, and the church of San Luca e Martina.

The structures were  pretty amazing. Going through the different buildings just made me realize that Roman architecture looked so much grander than the Greeks. But to be honest, I still have a soft heart for Greece, so I'd say I still vote that they're much better :)

The Palatine Hall is one of the most ancient parts of the city. It is said to be the origin of the word "palace". Based on excavations, they said people started to live there around 1000 BC. The whole stretch of gardens and structures were once said to be the location of a cave according to Roman mythology. It goes with the story about 2 brothers Romolus and Remus. After an argument, Romolus killed his brother and that's how they said the name "ROME" came about.

I walked around and explored the grounds.  I passed by an excavation site with an ongoing dig. At some point I remember being fascinated by archeology but the career path wasn't at all promising so I ditched the idea. I lingered for a while and observed how they meticulously brushed the soil away, in case they came across a find. A few other tourists stayed and watched.

At some point I stopped and found a bench that overlooked the Forum. The intricately designed domes and

random artsy building

roofs were amazing to look. But despite the grandeur, for me, it just confirmed the idea that Roman society back in the days were all about building big and artsy, as if it was the living proof of their huge ego. Oops, I hope this doesn't come across as antsy.

It was around 5 pm when I finished the walk around The Forum. I got out of the area and crossed the street where I found some more archeological sites that didn't seem to matter to passersby. It was the free site and open to anyone. I guess the history wasn't that significant which was why it didn't occur to people to absorb its presence.

I stopped for a while to have an ice cream. The heat was slowing me down and the humidity was making me crazy. I chose a spot and watched people pass by, wondering what they were thinking as they looked around. I was having the dilemma in choosing between the talked about Spanish Steps or the Trevi Fountain. I ended up opting for the Trevi Fountain.

I walked through quaint alley ways that was filled with Pasta restaurants and other eateries. The lively vibe towards the evening was getting noisier as the people started to settle down at their fave restos, some maybe feeding the curious palettes.

Just right at the corner of Mcdonalds (yeah go figure, italian mcdonalds), I stopped to watch an artist work on a requested design by a lady. It was amazing how he used spray paint, cardboards and even the lid of a tin garbage can to get the shapes he wanted. The end-result was impressive but more so, the way he conceptualized it.  He only charged 10 Euros for his artwork, not  bad. I would say  he should have charged more than that. The lady walked away smiling ear to ear.

I eventually got to Trevi Fountain. It is one the most famous fountain in the world, with a Baroque design by Nicola Salvi and completed by Pietro Bracci. It was only refurbished by 1998 and in January 2013 the fashion company Fendi promised to sponsor the restoration for 20 months.

What I wasn't aware was the "coin throwing" thingie. So they say throw a coin right hand over left shoulder,
and make a wish. But nah, I didnt bother going back there just to do that. Despite the grandeur of the artistry in front of me, I wasn't happy with the crowds. Couples were just smooching away, taking so many photos in front of the fountain. It was stopping me from getting a good shot. So I didn't bother staying that long anymore. This was one of those situations when I'd say "Seen it, tick, i'm gone". I know it sounded really bad. But at that point, I was just pissed off.

I planned something different for the following day. A place far away from the busy crowd.

Hi. It's been a While.

I know. My last entry was still back when I was exploring Rome. And that was back in September. Today's November 5, 2013. And tomorrow I'll be flying out.

I owe this blog a lot of stories, from my last days in Europe to my flight and adventures in China and most of all, my homecoming and revisiting of roots, that goes without saying, reunions and catch ups with friends I haven't seen for 5 years.

Yes. It's been a While.

This nomad will be putting the next few months on hold. Travel plans has changed and decisions have been made. 

I'll still finish this blog, just the same as I'll finish an article I've promised to the Thomasian Engineer Journal. 

Life as we know it, and Life as we think we know it..... the curves that may lie ahead can sometimes lead you to a blind curve, unexpected.... boundaries? yet to be discovered. 

Yes. It's been a While.