The drawing students (12 out of 22 of us) traveled to Rome last Wednesday and spent the next four days there touring and sketching, so the poetry class went down to visit them on Friday. We left on the 6:50 train and got in Rome by 8:15 and our day began. We took a very crowded bus (reminded me of the Westmont shuttle, only this time I was surrounded by people I definitely did not know) and transported ourselves back into the Renaissance. First, we went to see a Jesuit church, which was beautiful, and then some wonderful pictures by Caravaggio (I'm a fan). After the churches we walked to Piazza Navonna where there is a large sculpture titled the Four Rivers - it's quite amazing. Then we met up with the art students (finally reunited! It was much too quiet without them here) for lunch before our trek to another country. Oh yes, we were going to the land of the pope - Vatican City! We made the hike around the whole walled city to get to the museum, where we walked around and saw many many art works including the Sistine Chapel. Now, don't get me wrong, it's beautiful, but there is so much artwork there! The ceiling is absolutely covered! It took a little getting used to. After this, we poets said farewell to the artists and braved our way through the streets of Rome to return to the train. On our way back we walked by the river to the best gelato shop (outside of Orvieto, of course) where we got massive amounts of gelato (go big, or go home) and then walked to the Trevvi Fountain. Of course, I threw a penny in the fountain (an American penny - worth even less than a cent here) and made a wish. Then we walked to the train station, passing amazing looking used book stands (heartbreaking) and rode back up to Orvieto.
I think this trip was so much better for at least 3 reasons: 1) I was completely over jet lag, 2) It was not hot, at all, and 3) I've been in Italy for a while now, so I've gotten a little more used to the way they do things.
2 commenti:
I am glad that your second trip was better than the first.
Hurrah for second chances, even for cities :) Sounds like a great day. I, too, am a fan of Caravaggio because of the way he used and enhanced the use of chiaroscurro, especially his one of Saul on the Damascus Road. I was fascinated with this word when I learned it.
Love love love your poems and writings. You have an excellent "voice".
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