today is the last full day for our visitors from shanghai
going out with a bang as there's a big party in town tonight
seems torrita tiberina is hosting a music festival over 5 nights
we'll be up for that - but first rome is calling - so we drive south
driving into the heart of rome is easy now and the roads are quiet
we were told the city empties in the peak holiday month of august
the ladies are dropped near the colosseum to start the shopping trek
the driver heads to piazza del popolo where we will meet in 4 hours
a testing trip with google maps as navigator taking a complicated route
finally parking the car and walking across the river to the quiet piazza
a cafe selected and an early lunch, beer and people-watch is enjoyed
another beautiful day and not too hot so a good time to go wandering
a vague plan to track down some art galleries but nothing is definite
walking away from the piazza and immediately into cruise mode
a realisation this part of the city is particularly appealing visually
the tall buildings are clean and the streets seem almost polished
in one back street there are small boutique hotels and restaurants
clearly this is the moneyed part of town and the shops are matching
consistently small but very stylish decor and expensive looking items
shoes, fashion, homewares, perfume, books all on priceless display
the sought art galleries remain elusive so a conclusion is reached
they are there but most likely 'appointment only' to cashed up clients
even the few street artists and human statues reek of a different class
standing there and a wave of tiredness hits so i walk to a nearby church
san giacomo in augusta - inside it is very cool, quiet and welcoming
a high domed centre and opulent decor in gold and matching colours
the neck craned to frescoes on the ceiling way up are also stunning
a sit down to take it all in and of course tiredness turns to a snooze
sneaking out 30 minutes later, turn a corner and another italian icon
the ferrari shop complete with an f1 car from 2011 and items galore
shirts, caps, pens, cups, bags, tools, posters, models (cars and ladies)
turn another corner and a previously seen building is spotted again
the museo dell'ara pacis is a large, modern, purpose-built art gallery
currently hosting an exhibition by japanese photographer ken domon
an hour to spare for me and happy to spend that time in this place
domon born in 1909 - died 1990 - in between took countless photos
black and white initially but moving to colour much later in his life
a child-loving, anti-war, anti-imperialist social-realist using his art
so many photos seen capturing the innocence and naivety of youth
most memorable being shots of child labour or armed forces training
every photo demands attention so the allocated hour goes by quickly
it's then a brisk walk in the summer sun back to piazza del popolo
the rendezvous made and then a drive to another shopping centre
la rinascente - 6 floors of up-market department store - sunglasses!
found and purchased - next please - food items to take into china
a 2 hour visit then to our regular shopping centre at porta di roma
shopped out and a return to home base and then into party mode
the street decorations are up and alight - bright white and green
down in the town's own piazza there's food and wine on offer
a 4 course meal - 10 euro - a bottle of wine - 3 euro - so cheap
it's a big turnout of locals including families of 3 generations
it's a real honour to be welcomed here and we feel part of it
at 10pm the guest band fires up - the 11 piece orchestraccia
2 drummers at rear, a line of 3 guitarists, keyboards, trumpet
and out front 4 male vocalists harmonising or in turn soloing
impression - very, very good - italian vocals and feel of course
but with it an international flavour - hip-hop, rock, pop, singalong
a timely solo spot for an acoustic guitarist indicates experience
evidenced more with a side-of-stage view to see the band at work
they are professional and with it are obviously having genuine fun
surely used to - or deserving of a bigger stage and crowd - womad?
we take the minute or 2 to walk home and settle in for a good sleep
day of rest? not likely - too much still to see and do here in italy
which had me thinking - give a little of yourself - gain a lot
this country does seem willing to keep laying it on for us
happy about that as we start the countdown - 6 days - sniff...
