On our final day in Roma we all worked on our projects. Rus freaked us out good on the lack of quality the previous presentatino, and the night before, so we got hardcore and worked. And we finished. And presented. Then the 14 of us walked across town to a seafood place in San Lorenzo for an amazing 6-course dinner complete with a 1/2 litre of vino per person. Total was either 18 or 23 euros, depending on the appetite, but for our last meal in Roma it was more than worth it.
After returning home, brad, derek and myself grabbed our computers and headed out. It was our final hours in Roma, and I didn’t want to spend them sleeping. We headed for the Campidoglio and I kept on for a bit to enjoy the shadows in the back overlooking the forum. What a sight to behold at night. The lights and sounds of the surrounding city proved only to distinguish the contrast between the dark silence of the forum. This play wonderfully highlighted the ancient textures of the arch of septimus severus, and the temple of saturn; the scale of which was hard to grasp amongst the tourists and overcast sky..
But last night, it was surreal. I could easily imagine a trimpual march through the imperial core.. visualizing the forum as it was intended to be. With the colosseo, gently lit, standing strong in the distance, the power, and might, and legacy of Rome became fathomable at last. So I sat, overlooking the ruins of what I consider the most powerful civilization in history, and I got it. And I loved it. And it was one of my most favorite moments in Rome.
After a quick visit to the park above the Campidoglio we returned to the Celio to use the net, when I finally uploaded some photos and said some hellos.. and when 3:30 rolled around, we headed back. I could have easily given Derek and Brad my bag and toured the city till dawn – cameraless, but not without a memory and words with which to communicate it, but it was bed time. And now I am in Tuscany, in Dolciano, outside of Chiusi. And as I said last night, I am already Romesick – homesick for the eternal city. City of life, history, chaos, and something that cannot be put into words. I will FOREVER cherish and remember my time in Roma.
