DAY 1

QUALCHE GIORNO DI CULTURA, CIBO E DIVERTIMENTO

My best friend says that I used to say, “the best way to get over a guy is to get under a new one…” well to be accurate he said I said “under three guys.” Honestly, it doesn’t sound like me, but then hey it was when I was in my twenties. It’s quite possible I said it to sound bad ass or witty; because, in all honesty my breakups usually involve a year or two of reflecting and growing from the situation. So, it’s no surprise that when my friend and coworker told us she and her boyfriend broke up, I suggested we take a trip. If there’s one thing I’m good at, it's cutting all ties.

Must be a Virgo thing. Anyways, we decided to go to Rome, Italy for a few days to start the healing process. I guess you can call this a Roman Holiday… 2.0. Audrey Hepburn won’t be falling in love or escaping royal duties on this trip. This trip is for fun, great food, great wine and realizing that better is always a flight away.

My last trip to Rome was in 2017, on that trip I danced with strangers and fell for an army man, and made a new friend who months later turned into a 3 year on again off again relationship. Rome is one of those cities that’s magical and exciting, but also serious. It must be the energy as it is the home of the Pope. So let’s get into Rome: Ivy and I met up at JFK airport, this is our second solo trip together, but our first international trip. She’s the calm serious type and I fluctuate between excessive Virgo and let’s have a fabulous time type.

She arrived several hours early as the later flights looked sketch and she wanted to be sure she arrived at JFK. I arrived at JFK & trekked to terminal four to meet up with Ivy.

Before any international trip where I am not fluent in the language I rehearse greetings and helpful sentences. I make it a habit to never look like a foreigner and to always show respect by at least greeting locals in their native tongue. #Message

Being that my fathers family is of Italian descent I should probably set out to become fluent. All in good time.

We boarded main cabin three and after we reached the sterile phase of flight in a dimly lit cabin dinner service started. Since we are headed to Italy I suggest we accompany wine with our meals. I ordered the chicken and vegetables and Ivy opted for the cheesy pasta, we reclined and enjoyed our inflight meal and movie.

8 hours and 14 minutes later we had landed in Rome! The eternal city. We checked into our cute Colosseum Airbnb and immediately hit the streets to take in the amazing views and the amazing food. When in Rome, you do as the Romans. It was lunch time so we stopped over at a gay bar I visited in 2017 called, ‘Coming Out’ for pasta (of course) and a traditional Italian cocktail, the Aperol Spritz, Sante! Make sure you look each other in the eyes, the Italians believe if you do not you’ll be cursed with seven years of bad sex. Last thing we need is that!

We were off to a great first day in Roma! We couldn’t help but to take photos as the Colosseum was the literal backdrop to our Italian lunch. First stop, the Colosseum also known as the ‘Flavian Amphitheater’ was built between A.D. 70 and 72 and took about 7-8 years to construct. According to National Geographic, The Colosseum was a gift from the Flavian emperor Vespasian to the Roman people and holds around 50,000 people. As you can imagine this tourist attraction is absolutely stunning and even more breathtaking at night.

After capturing some amazing optics at the Colosseum we walked along the ‘The Temple of Peace’, (Tempio della Pace) built in 71 AD to honor the Roman Goddess of Peace. I must say on my first visit I was unsure what the ruins were, but it now makes so much sense as one does feel this weightless peace, a reflective moment comes over them when visiting the ancient site. I’d suggest just coming here if you can to help rid yourself of all those anxious feelings we get these days. It’s safe to say we’d need a Gelato pick-me-up before our next stop! A scoop of Nutella & a scoop of Stracciatella later and we’re tossing coins in the fountain, that's the Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi) constructed in the 18th century by Nicola Salvi and later completed by Giuseppe Pannini and others is one of the most famous Baroque fountains in the world and largest at 86 ft high and 161.3 ft wide.

It’s estimated that over €3,000 euros is thrown into the fountain daily. Legend says 1 coin will bring you back to Rome, and 2 will bring you to your true love. I’ve come back, so let's now hope to fall in love soon.

Day 2

We started the morning by walking to the Pantheon, and just as soon as we arrived we sat at a cute cafe with a direct view of this incredible structure for breakfast. As we ate our breakfast we people watched and admired the horses attached to the beautiful carriages awaiting lovers and families to trot around Rome with. Upon entering the Pantheon one is in aw of the dome ceiling and interior marble. The dome happens to be the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome. The Roman temple was dedicated in 126 AD, no one really knows the date of its construction as it was not transcribed on the building.

I can say it's been in use its entire existence and has been of the most preserved Roman building being used as a church dedicated to St. Mary and the Martyrs since the 7th century. It's not everyday I walk into a building over 2,000 years old; but, when I do I’m amazed by the artists and the history as well as the millions of visitors it sees each year. After leaving the Pantheon, I wanted to take Ivy to the Roman Ghetto’s.

These ruins and this neighborhood have such a rich history. The Jewish community of Rome were forced to live in this area subjected to floods by the Tiber River and enclosed with a fence or wall structure that was paid for by the jewish inhabitants. Sound familiar??

For hundreds of years the Roman Jewish community lived in inhumane conditions, subjected to diseases and death until Napoleon's rule abolished the ghettos. At the time, they could not build out so they built up which is why when visiting you’re drawn to these tall apartments and stone passageways. It’s quite melancholic thinking about their struggles, but also their joys. As a product of a ghetto environment I can say we have our ways of celebrating life and being resourceful.

I pictured the laughs, the love and amazing celebrations they must have had between the struggles. As we walked along the Tiber River with the Roman sun reflecting off of the light green waters crashing into rocks like mini rapids holding all the force in the world we both started to crave something cold. Again, what better than Gelato?

Near the Vatican we stopped at this restaurant for some of the best gelato I’ve had in Italy, usually the tourist areas are overpriced and the food is watered down, but this was affordable and extremely delicious. One thing I enjoy doing as a writer is people watching and creating stories from watching these people.

Next to us sat an older American couple. The wife’s hair is fully white and her attire all black. They both had to be in their 70’s, the way they dressed and spoke would even suggest they were from a time where going outside and doing things or going on holiday was a reason to dress up. They ordered two gelato Sundays and took photos and selfies. It was definitely a reminder to myself that I’d love to find someone to love forever and travel the world with.

Someone who challenges you mentally and helps you to think outside of the box. After trekking around the fountains and plaza of the Vatican we started to head to the Spanish steps, only to finally discover a pharmacy offering covid testing (tamponino). We paid our fees of €22 and took our tests. They told us to wait 20 minutes. We decided to sit at this restaurant called L'isola della Pizza and order drinks with Macedonian fruit salad and me being a foodie at heart I also had a plate of pasta.

Spaghetti Palomodoro with Basil is one of my favorites. Years ago I became a full vegan for 8 months and it was a vegan option I’d get in Los Angeles and eventually improve upon with my added spices and bell pepper medley. After getting our negative results and finishing our food and Spritz, Ivy and I took the underground subway to view the Spanish Steps, also known as the Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti.

Typically, the steps are covered in purplish flowers, but spring has only just begun so, the stairs were filled with the beautiful tourists posing their best poses surrounded by all the luxurious stores anyone could ask for. The 135 steps built between 1723-1725 by architects Francesco de Sanctis and Alessandro Specchi lead up to the French church that was actually in talks since the early 1500’s.

The fountain below fontana della barcaccia has existed since 1629. I know I get a bit nerdy when it comes to history, but all of these amazing details and historical points tell so much. I mean look at not only the jewish influence in Rome, but also french and of course mediterranean arabic influences. It’s no wonder the world feels at home in Rome, or at least it does to me. We finished the day with dinner at Spaccio Pasta where the bartender is a famous mixologist and the drinks prove it.

Try the Negroni Soda! It was amazing, the food portions are definitely USA size, but all too good. I just wish I had room for dessert, I’ll be back for the tiramisu. The next morning was go-home-day, so Ivy and I had a lite breakfast at the cafe next door and made our way to the airport in the lite Roman rain. At this point we luckily figured out the train system and took the metro to the main train headed to the airport.

The piece de la resistance is we were able to get first class on the flight home. This trip definitely helped Ivy to remove her focus from her break up, and I hope she’ll find love one day that’s eternal. Until our next trip, Ciao!