Rome, Honestly? It's a Whole Thing.
okay, so rome. it’s…a lot. i’m a freelance photographer, and usually, i’m all about the golden hour and perfectly framed shots, but this city just laughs in your face. it’s beautiful, yeah, but it’s also aggressively chaotic. like, someone just decided to build layers of history on top of each other and then let scooters loose.
i just checked and it’s…kind of damp, actually. the air feels like a lukewarm glass of something forgotten. the weather report said 8.87 degrees, but honestly, it feels like 6.56. the pressure’s a bit wonky too, 1015, which probably explains why i keep losing my train of thought. humidity’s low, around 40%, which is good, because otherwise, my camera gear would be permanently fogged.
i spent yesterday wandering around *trastevere, trying to capture some “authentic” roman life. it’s mostly tourists and people trying to sell you selfie sticks, let’s be real. but there are pockets of magic. i stumbled into this tiny osteria where an old woman was making pasta by hand. it smelled incredible. i tried to take a photo, but she just waved a wooden spoon at me and yelled something in italian. i think it was a compliment? or a threat. hard to tell.
someone told me that the best gelato is actually hidden away in a little shop near the pantheon, but you have to ask for “the secret flavor.” apparently, it changes daily. i haven’t found it yet, but i’m determined. i’ve already consumed approximately my weight in pistachio.
“don’t trust anyone who offers you a ‘free’ bracelet near the colosseum. they will not let you leave.”
that’s what a guy with a surprisingly good beard told me at a coffee shop. he seemed very serious. i also overheard someone complaining on Yelp about the pickpockets around termini station. apparently, it’s a free-for-all. https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Pickpockets&find_loc=Termini+Station%2C+Rome
i’m staying in this tiny airbnb near the vatican. the walls are paper thin, and my neighbor seems to be practicing the tuba at all hours. if you get bored, florence is just a short train ride away. it’s a bit more…polished, i guess. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g187791-Florence_Tuscany-Vacations.html
i tried to visit the spanish steps*, but it was just a sea of people taking selfies. honestly, it was exhausting. i ended up finding a quiet little park overlooking the city. it was perfect. i sat there for hours, just watching the light change.
i heard that the best way to experience rome is to just get lost. and honestly? i think that’s pretty good advice. don’t plan too much, don’t try to see everything, just wander. you’ll find something amazing, i promise. or at least, you’ll find a really good pizza place. https://www.romeing.it/best-pizza-rome/
“the carbonara at ‘da felice’ is worth the wait, but be prepared to fight for a table.”
that’s what the barista told me this morning. apparently, it’s legendary. i’m going to try to go tonight, but i’m not making any promises. i might just end up eating gelato again. honestly, i’m okay with that. https://www.thefork.com/restaurant/da-felice-a-testaccio-14888
it’s a city that gets under your skin, you know? it’s messy, it’s loud, it’s frustrating, but it’s also…magical. i’m not sure i’ll ever fully understand it, but i’m definitely going to keep trying.
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