Comments on: Rome – It’s Not My Italy

By: My Melange

My Melange — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:27:40 +0000

Bri, I am so glad you can relate. We can both spend time discovering and trying to find *our* Italy!! Thanks for your thoughts

By: Bri

Bri — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:05:22 +0000

I can’t agree with you more. Although I only spent two days there, I got a very similar love/hate feeling that I have with Manhattan. You can’t ignore the history, or the fact that you could be walking around any random corner to stumble upon the most magnificent sites, much of which seems lost on the residents. But on the flip side many Italians in this city are downright rude, vehicle traffic is the worst I’ve ever seen anywhere in the world and graffiti, grime and dirt permeate this city. I would be game for another visit, but, like you said, there is so much more of Italy out there to see that would be infinitely more welcoming.

By: My Melange

My Melange — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:48:38 +0000

Wow!13 times. I think that makes you an offical Romani!! I hope thatnumber 3 will be the charm

By: Joan

Joan — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:51:23 +0000

Ciao,
I’m sorry you had another badish experience with my favorite city. I’ve been there 13 (including many in the hot weather)times and was planning #14 for this fall except my stock market bit didn’t cooperate. So 2010 it will be and for a month. I’ve done three weeks and since then no week or 10 day time has been enough. I also have to admit I go just about everywhere in the city by bus. Maybe the third time will be the charm.

By: Bonnie(valentinoswife)

Bonnie(valentinoswife) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:55:05 +0000

Roma is a large city that is difficult to get to know – one or two trips probably just begin to scratch the surface. But like you in some respect, althpough I love Roma, it is not where I would want to live in Italia either. The sheer experience of being in Roma, of walking into St Peter’s Square, or seeing the Colliseum, all are emotional moments. But the city for me is a history jaunket like visits to Philadelphia or New York City or Boston. I love those cities and miss them (I lived in Fairfield County, CT all my childhood and visited NYC bi-weekly, and lived in Philadelphia for 7 yrs.) but I would not call any of them home either. Worth nseeing just not the vilage of my dreams!

By: Fabian Amoureuse

Fabian Amoureuse — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 09:27:51 +0000

Pretty interesting post ! Ive dreamed for visiting Rome. I hope next year to be able my trip.
Anyway 3 days are not enough for visiting all the interesting places in Rome.

By: My Melange

My Melange — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:53:58 +0000

Well, thanksAnne. I am glad you thought soxo

By: Foodie Froggy

Foodie Froggy — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:11:50 +0000

That was a very interesting post.

By: My Melange

My Melange — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:07:08 +0000

Hi Richard! Thank youso much for validating my feelings. Ilike what you said about Rome being Roman, and not so much Italy, itself. I think you hit the nail on the head!
So,sorry you were stood up! That is rude!
Here is to better experiences for the both of us in Rome! And maybe my train will have doors next time
Cheers!

By: Richard Callaby

Richard Callaby — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:52:58 +0000

I really can not blame you. I was there for four weeks and some of that time was in the beginning of May. Rome is not really Italy if you ask me. it is Roman. A whole different animal all together. Some like it. Some oo not. I am the “do not” crowd. It is too noisy, crowded and the Romans are far too gruff. I also had some contacts in Rome and you know what, they stood me up! I could not believe it! That is just so rude.
Yes Rome is full of historical treasures but if you have combat the people all the time then it leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Also there are alot of scammers about near the tourist attractions. I even heard of a story where a tourist had her camera ripped out of her hand by one of those Roman soilders and he demanded money to give it back. The police do not help you out unless you speak fluent italian which most tourists do not.
I may have an explanation as to what happened with the train though. On my last day in Rome my train broke down because too many Romans crowded into it and one of the doors broke. So they probably had to get a replacement train and yours might have been that particular one.
I adore Italy but will not spend more then a few days in Rome now.