Day 4 - Rome is freakin AWESOME!

Ok your day is not gonna be half bad if your first encounter with the general public is a nun in full habit rocking out to cheesy 50's tunes translated into Italian in the subway. We're talking bouncing, finger waving and all. AWESOME!

Leave it to me to pick the one rainy day to visit the most celebrated park in Roma, Villa Borghese. A little modern history lesson on the Borghese Family. They were once the most powerful ruling family in Rome from the time of the Renaissance up to the late 19th century, when their"house" fell upon ruin forcing them to sell their lands and estate to the Italian government. Currently they are best known as the family that spawned the 9th season Bachelor, "Prince" Lorenzo Borghese, the New Jersey cosmetic entrepreneur (for pets!!!), 1oth in line for the defunct thrown of Italy. Did I use the word AWESOME yet?

The gardens are beautiful, albeit a bit run down, which is just sad because the Borghese family stipulated during the sale that the Italian government must maintain the grounds at the same standards of upkeep at the time they were acquired (1903). Well, I guess since the vested Borgheses are all since long dead and Lorenzo is busy keeping your pooch smelling like chocolate, who's gonna hold them accountable.

After a tour of the Galleria Borghese (also AWESOME and loaded with Carravagios - seems I am unintentionally stalking him) where all my worldly possessions were absconded and I was forced to tour the museum naked (ok, so not really - but you have to check EVERYTHING you can carry during the 3 hour window they "allow" you to wander the museum), I made my way back to the hotel to see if could change my rooms. As luck would have it there was a gaggle of sharply dressed military men loitering around the entrance and galleria. Hello Boys...keep up the, errr, good work :) Lucky me, they had a lovely room waiting for me. Ok so when I say lovely, picture my previous room, on a floor lower than the maids quarters, with pale blue walls. At least there is a window that opens to the inner courtyard with a lovely view of a cobblestoned courtyard that closely resembles a heliopad. Ah well, at least its natural light.

Just a warning to those intending to travel to Rome anytime soon - unless you have a rich cousin Paolo who is willing to loan you his stylish pensione for the time you are here, this is the standard of most rooms unless you are willing to shell out an average of about US$400 per night. THIS is why most tour books reference 3-days in Rome is the average. Most families don't want to take a 2nd on their house to finance such a holiday.

After a much needed 2 hour nap I ventured over to St. Peter's Square at dusk which leads over to the Castillo (the papal version of a "safe house") enabling me to take some of the most glorious photos. The most noticeable change since I was here 10 yeas ago was the simple fact that "Il Papa" seems to have gone high tech on our asses - stages, flood lights and video screens worthy of a Britney Spears concert. Go on with your bad self Benadictine! My favorite moment of the day, was looking down at some of the chairs permantly on display for the thousands who flood the square weekly for their blessing, and noticing a crude etching on one of the backs "Jesus Rocks". Uh, I'm gonna say it again - UMMM, AWESOME!!!

My Zen moment of the day came during my last stop of the night, the Trevi Fountain. Although the hoards seem to have dissipated slightly after the long holiday weekend, there were still plenty of tourists to be found milling around Bernini's masterpiece even at 12:00 a.m. So as I sat along the edge of the fountain (feet securely in my shoes) indulging in not one, but TWO helpings of gelato I began to contemplate all of the beauty this rich culture has to offer that people are often too busy to stop and really take in as they are whisked by at mach speed by their irritated tour guide. I also realized that with all of the walking I have been doing, that these two helpings of sweet, creamy goodness will never make their way to my ass. Say it with me - AWESOME!!! Zen is all about the simple pleasures in life after all...