My Italian friend (IFOB) reads my blog and thought I was being harsh on Italians in my prior blog entry. Actually I was being harsh on Americans of Italian descent and self-satisfied religious people. But I didn’t intend to be offensive to IFOB or others.
Today, Villa Borghese. It is like Central Park, grander because it was formerly an estate of the Borghese family. We couldn’t get tickets to the museum so we went with our son to the Zoo. We spent hours at the zoo and in the park. Our son can identify animals to an excruciating detail, so when we go to the zoo, he says things like, “oh, look, an Egyptian diamond eyed swan!” or “see, a blue footed booby!”. There is a kind of bird called a “tit”. So, when he started saying, look at the beautiful [insert ornithological name] tit!” I had to muzzle him. He didn’t quite get why I sternly told him not to yell names of birds, since most are not necessarily offensive sounding to a female passerby who might think he is remarking about her cleavage. But I didn’t necessarily want to introduce a crass slang for breast if he didn’t already know it. Ah, the joys of parenthood.
Walking in Rome is not quite the death challenge of being on the floor of the Colosseum in the old days, when at least one death was assured, but it is harrowing even to a New Yorker. Even if you think you are walking on a pedestrian path, a Smart car will try to mow you down. Mopeds and motorcycles are everywhere and will try to park on your feet if you are standing at a curb, waiting to cross. People, cars, mopeds all use the same thoroughfares in a perpetual dance that is fluid and dangerous. Traffic lights and rules are merely suggestions.
So, I was relieved to go to Ancient Rome sites via bus. Let someone else do the drive and just sit in your seat oblivious to the potential mayhem in the streets. We went to the Colosseum and the Fora. Even our son said, “this is spectacular!” It was hard to explain to him that people and animals were killed for sport, since that is a scary concept. He was happy that it was long ago and not done today. Sometimes we as parents over-think the issues and kids figure out their way to get comfortable with the facts on the ground.
The tour was arranged by 206 Tours. It was awesome.
After so many hours walking and walking, we all collapsed. The hotel was in the middle of everything and truly old world Rome with updated amenities. Great choice for people who don’t want to lounge about and really want an active visits. Also arranged by 206 Tours.
Partner of blogger (POB) rallied us for dinner out. Actually, she dragged us kicking and screaming because we were sooooo happy just lying around. Sometimes, vacation should not involve self-propulsion. A little entropy should be allowed.
Our son’s gelato cravings is reaching heroin proportions. Rehab once we get back to NYC. For now, we are on a gelato spree.
