Tuesday, May 17
Borgo di Tragliata
Borgo di Tragliata, the ideal spot to get married if you're in Rome. Picturesque, quaint, and comfortable accommodations, this wedding destination venue happened to be hosting an Irish bridal party, which took full advantage of the open bar into the wee hours of the next morning we were told. The place is fully equipped with outdoor gazebos and a pool that overlooks the village courtyard. Surrounded by the countryside, Borgo di Tragliata even has its own chiesa, Church of Sant'Isidoro. Keeping its rustic charm, the bridesmaids had to deal with a lack of air conditioner as they prepped for the ceremony- oh well!
We sat, talked, ate and drank for at least two hours. In the US, we typically have three courses: an appetizer, main course, and dessert. Traditional Italian meals consist of an aperitivo (ei: small dishes of olives, nuts or cheeses), antipasti (ei: charcuterie platter such as salame, mortadella, or prosciutto, served with cheeses and bread), primi (ei: first course of hot food- no meat, mainly pasta), secondi (ei: meat or seafood), contortni (ei: veggies served with secondi dish), formaggi e frutta (cheese and fruit selection), dolce (dessert), caffe ( espresso only). How's that for a big meal? The first of many! |
After lunch we shuttled on over to check into Hotel Centro in Rome. Now, this was no Ceasar's Palace or Harrah's Resorts. I kid you not, this was a four-floor lodging, hosting no more than 50 guests.
But I'd give 100 euros just wanted to flop on that bed and take a nap..
But I'd give 100 euros just wanted to flop on that bed and take a nap..
There was only enough time to drop off our luggage before being whisked away for our guided tour of the historical city center.
Now, it is dressed with street vendors along its perimeter for tourists like us.
Behind them, are great works of architecture, churches, monuments and fountains.
Behind them, are great works of architecture, churches, monuments and fountains.
The Pantheon
From the outside it looks very modest, but this preserved Roman building is actually a temple. I loved the dome structure at the top with a circle in the middle. We learned that this hole could have been constructed to let the sun shine through as the emperor walked through. (Talk about a flashy entrance!)
It was a long, exhausting day; if my legs had mouths, they'd be screaming. Technically, we had went from Monday straight into Tuesday with no rest because of the time zone change. I desperately needed a nap, but they said that if they let us rest as soon as we got their, our internal clocks would have been screwed up. I don't know how much truth that held at the time, but since I was already up, and it was nearing 7 in the evening, I figured might as well make the most of it!
Day one has been surreal. Walking through the streets of Rome is so similar to New York, and at the same time nothing like New York. The city was bustling, the damp aroma of garbage on sidewalks blinding the crowd of pedestrians who seem to be unwavered by it. Among all this, hung an invisible beauty in the air which draws you in, as it drew me.
And the people; the people there act just like ours. Some selling phone accessories, souvenirs and trinkets at stands on every corner, some lurking in the shadows up to questionable business, some with their faces buried in a map and a camera hung around their neck (us). It was all there. We were there, and I couldn't believe it was true.
And the people; the people there act just like ours. Some selling phone accessories, souvenirs and trinkets at stands on every corner, some lurking in the shadows up to questionable business, some with their faces buried in a map and a camera hung around their neck (us). It was all there. We were there, and I couldn't believe it was true.
Day one and I already don't want to leave. I'm exhausted, but too excited to sleep.