Spanish Steps and Villa Borghese
Trip Start
Mar 22, 2008
1
6
33
Trip End
Jun 23, 2008
Rome,
Italy
Friday, March 28, 2008
Our professor from Marylhurst arrived in Rome yesterday and stopped by the apartment to check in with us. I am pleased to say that it generated a new feeling of excitement about starting school next week. I´ve been a little anxious over getting on a schedule because I´ve had such a lack of one in the last few days and have fallen into slackerville (quite easily I might add).
After yesterday´s rain, it is hard to describe how glorious and beautiful the day was today. It was actually almost HOT. Clear blue skies and warmth felt pretty amazing. I walked up to the Spanish Steps, by way of the via Condetti which must be like the "Rodeo Drive" of Rome: Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Yves Saint Laurent, Dior, Fendi, Ferragamo, pretty much any major label you can imagine
Borghese trees 2
. It was fun to look in the windows but I wouldn´t even dare enter one of those stores. HOARDS of people were out here; it felt overly touristy and apparently we are not even at the height of the tourist season. I can´t imagine what is to come.Beyond the Spanish Steps lies the Villa Borghese and the enormous park that surrounds it. I was literally transported to another world, one that embodies a very different beauty than the rest of the city that I´ve been experiencing. It is a magical place within this old city, and I´ve so far only covered a small corner of it. It is so green and so quiet; it will likely be a great place to spend some time drawing. (Side note: I am praying to the drawing gods that Rome will have some magical effect on my abilities; I´m feeling quite intimidated by my lack of confidence in this arena.)
The landscape in the Borghese gardens is really interesting; I was mesmerized by the trees, which appear nearly as intentionally molded as the many sculptures that inhabit this city. I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity immerse myself in the quiet and greenness of this place, and I feel a sense of relief knowing that it is there when I need a respite from the noise and crowds that are everywhere else.
Comments
Sleep
Hi Audrey, You might want to find some earplugs or master the head pillow wrap that I used to block out your fathers snoring.
Love Mom
Mom's comment
Mom lies. I sleep like a baby & only coo. The park looks real nice. Quite a contrast from the other photos, as you point out. Maybe Santa will have the elves build a gelato machine this fall. One of the guys from work is batching it while his wife is chaperoning 8th graders from her class in Rome this last week. Lucky you're not doing that, huh? Love you.
Dad
earplugs
are the love of my life!