Thursday, May 1, 2008

May Day

May 1. A huge holiday in Italy. I woke early to an eerie Sunday like silence. No sounds of school kids outside my window, of cars or motorcycles or people on the street. I haven’t been out yet but I am curious to see what shops and restaurants will be open today.

Yesterday I had a glorious, leisurely time all on my own in Rome. I wandered all through il centro storico with an occasional stop into a church or store for a quick look around. I took a break at the Piazza del Popolo for a glass of prosecco and some serious people watching. Then, late in the day I went to the Palazzo Massimo for my daily dose of culture. Incredible! On the first floor, rooms and rooms of ancient Roman sculpture. And then on the second floor, a truly astounding collection of mosaic pavements and wall paintings some dating from the time of Augustus. Almost too much to absorb in one visit.

It was nearly dark when I got back to Trastevere but I ended the day with a glass or red wine at our favorite wine bar before finally going home.

No comments: