First Walk Around Rome

First Walk Around Rome

After bidding farewell to Jan who was flying back to the States today to return to classes, our day began with a meeting with the Israeli ambassador to the Vatican and the Holy See, Oren David. He gave a wonderful clear explanation of the history between the Catholic Church and its relationship to Zionism, Israel and the Jewish people. He described some of the issues currently being discussed. At the end he warned against the new Liberation Theology which he described as distorting history by making Jesus as a Palestinian at the check point.

Our local guide for the day was Leda, who has mixed background of Italian and Iranian. She ws a delightful guide and unlike many of the others she often did not talk as we walked but waited until we were standing still, which helped us hear and understand what she was saying. Our touring began with a walk to the Spanish Steps. We approached from the top and passed the hotel I stayed at on our Catholic-Jewish mission with Bishop Clark. It is closed now and being renovated.

After Leda’s explanations we descended the steps and walked to the Trevi Fountain. Once again it was quite crowded. Many in the group cast coins into the fountain and made wishes. From there we walked over to the Pantheon. This magnificent structure with the larges dome in Rome is now a church. The grave of the artist Raphael was pointed out to us. Our next stop was the Piazza Navonna where we stopped for lunch the . Leda explained details of the fountain. BTW I can’t remember all the buildings and monuments she spoke about as we wound our way through the city. Often I act as sweeper making sure no one trails too far behind and gets lost.

We met the bus and headed over the area of the Colosseum and the Forum. We passed by Constantine’s Arch. Once again there were lines and waits to enter an important popular tourist site. There was also security with airport level metal detectors to get in.When we got in it began to rain on and off. This continued for the rest of afternoon. Most of us hadn’t brought rain gear on what we thought was going to be a sunny day. 

Once again Leda explained a lot about the site as well as the surrounding area. Afterwards we walked up to the Forum where there was another security metal detector scan. We went to the Arch of Titus. Here, Lana gave her take reminding us that even with these empires that defeated us, we still remain as Jews today. More walking through the rain to the bus before heading back to the hotel.

Some of the group went to see La Traviata at the opera. I simply fell asleep before heading out for a light bite and gelato.