Many different paths can take one to the same goal. I think that reasonably sums up our time in Rome. Tourism abounds and is clearly at the core of the Roman economy. Somehow Rome retains its mystique amid the chaos of people who flock to iconic city center and wander along its ancient walls in search of secrets from a civilization past. You can so easily loose yourself in the grandeur of the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill, and all the legends that are a part of the experience. My imagination gets the best of me and I am taken back in time.
I wonder… does Kai also slip back in time with me? Without knowing the history, having read the books, or seen images of what life was like in ancient Rome, is it possible? Is there something innate within us that gives us the ability to ‘live’ history? One will never know.
We walked and walked. Explored the ubiquitous Roman Colosseum from the outside in. We felt the crevices of the cold smooth stone carvings with out fingers. Kai touched – and felt – everything we did. I even think he may have found an opportunity (or two) to taste the walls of the Colosseum, after all it is through the sense of taste that babies (and adults) experience the World. Just as the heavens opened up and brought down the rain, we found ourselves a quaint café for a dry lunch, warmth, and rest. I had my first real Italian lasagna and it was divine… followed by the most satisfying (and huge!) cappuccino a jet lagged Mama could ask for. And I got to savor every moment of the cappuccino as Kai decided to take his afternoon nap right there in the café, and my husband and I enjoyed good conversation (in Spanish) with a couple traveling from Germany.
The sun came out. We walked and walked. We pondered the half buried ruin throughout the expansive Palatine Hill, temples, and the Roman Forum. It was magical. We even took some time to play in a grassy knoll amidst the ruins. It was a lovely afternoon in Rome. One breathtaking moment after another. As the sun went down we walked and we walked. We continued past down the main roads where people posed in the most bizarre costumes and statue-like positions. Yogi that “magically” hold themselves cross-legged and floating mid-air. Perfectly poised people draped in gold spandex looking like the perfect Egyptian mummies. I can only imagine what is going through Kai’s mind.
We proceeded past the Piazza Venezia adorned in much gold and the intricacies of more modern architecture. On some small cobblestone side road we found ourselves inside a truly ancient Church and it just happened to be evening mass. Then we headed to the Pantheon – the structure known as the temple to all of the Gods. We walked and we walked. Stopping in a dozen little shops selling everything from Italian spices and olive oil to Absinthe and leather bags. We walked all the way to Trevi Fountain where we stopped for a while. Kai was completely mesmerized by the statutes and of course the water all lit up against the night sky.
Finally our adrenaline began to wear off and we realized just how exciting the day had been. We found our way back to the subway and headed towards the hotel. We had done enough for the day. On our “home” to the hotel we stopped to see if our favorite family run Italian eatery was open – Osteria Gran Sasso. Much to our disappointment it was closed, so on we walked some more until we found our selves at the Ristorante Mimosa Fiorita. Kai loved this place too, and couldn’t get enough of the waiter and the chef. It was another r authentic and divine Italian indulgence. Freshly made cheesy risotto balls. Pork cheeks cooked in a delicate sauce. Fresh tagliatelle pasta with vegetables in the chef’s special sauce. And of course a half bottle of Chianti to wash it down. Another magical day in Rome came to a close.
Vive Vivir Project 
How cool was that? Baby Kai you are so lucky.
Kai is one very lucky baby indeed! 🙂 And we are even luckier that he chose us as his parents.