Back from Amazing Rome and the Amalfi Coast in Italy
October 1, 2009 | Filed under: Uncategorized
It is hard to believe that we are now back from 15 amazing days in Italy. We spent 5 days in Rome and 10 days on the Amalfi Coast with close friends. An incredible experience that I will treasure. While in Rome we walked everywhere. (Rome is very hilly so this was quite the exercise). We toured the Vatican (saw the Pieta which Michelangelo sculpted while he was in his 20’s) with a private guide. An excellent way to see the sights and you get to bypass all the crowds of tourists-well worth the extra Euros. We visited the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Forum and many, many churches (saw Michelangelo’s Moses in a small one) and basilicas. The decoration in the churches (and the Vatican) was almost unbelievable in its sumptiousness (hope that is the correct spelling or at least a word). But unfortunately as in many places in the world, attendance is down greatly.
Rome is full of grand buildings and many streets are still cobblestoned. It is a treat just to walk around. There are many piazzas or squares in Rome often with an important piece of sculpture or a large fountain anchoring the space. We were in Piazza Nuovo which has an Egyptian obelisk as well as a fountain. (there are 24 known Egyptian obelisks and 14 are in Italy). Cafes line the piazzas and it is very pleasurable and encouraged to sit, drink vino and watch the crowds go by. The Trevi fountain was magnificent as was the Victor Emmanuelle Monument. Pictures do not do these magnificent sculpures any justice. You just have to be there. The food was excellent-pizza is considered a snack and somewhat different from ours with a thinner crust. We found different restaurants for every meal, always ate al fresco, and were never disappointed.
And the shopping! I of course visited jewellery stores and was amazed to see stones and designs similar to what I create. It was so inspiring! And Italian women wear jewellery all the time.
Corals and Sleeping Beauty turquoise from the U.S. could be found in every jewellery store. The corals came in many different shades from bright red to soft pinks. I am hoping to have some pieces with coral ready for the Beyond the Valley Studio Tour which is the week end after Thanksgiving. If not then, there definitely will be pieces at my Open House the first week end of December.
Another thing worth mentioning is the traffic and drivers in Rome. It is fast, and frenetic. Scooters and motorcycles of all kinds abound. Not unusual to see a women in heels or man, in a suit with a briefcase on a scooter, obviously going to work. Public transportation is efficient and much easier to use. There are no lines or queues so you have to learn to push your way into a bus or train. But I would not want to drive in Rome!
When the passengers from our flight were disembarking in Rome, I noticed that a woman was wearing one of my amber necklaces. It was quite a thrill for me to see this and I must say that it looked superb on her. Next-The Amalfi Coast.