Senatus PopolusQue Romanus gutter plaque.

Old SPOR(t), CJ...

I've always been keen on Roman films, and I can remember many a Xmas Eve when my folks went to bed at the late hour of about 11 p.m. giving me time to catch the late evening film, traditionally related to Romans and Bible themes.
Oddly enough, for years I misread the Roman banners and reckoned 'SPORT' was what they advertised. As a child I didn't find this peculiar simply because in films, Romans are always portrayed as fit and muscular characters, a quality which can only be achieved through regular sporting activity.
Growing up and getting more educated I realized that 'SPQR' was the correct spelling although I had no idea what that meant.
The old sign haunted me throughout my recent trip in Rome, as it can be spotted everywhere in the street, and on the last day I eventually got to know its meaning, 30 years of childhood memories were blown within a second...

Nuns attending a gospel concert on the Piazza del Popolo.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do...

All roads certainly lead somewhere in Rome.

Here in Rome the traffic is really mad and the oldest part of the city with its small back streets is really enjoyable for the pedestrian.
Although the Italians are undoubtedly crazy drivers - and I would never drive down there, the plane suits me fine, thank you very much!- they somehow have a strange respect for the pedestrian who only has to set foot on the road to see the traffic slow down to a halt. I wouldn't risk the experiment in Paris though...

We were surprised on that Sunday morning to find the streets unusually quiet with hardly any traffic going. Apparently this is also the case in the Summer at siesta time, in fact it seems the Italians are rather partial to their beds. No wonder there are so many lingerie shops in the Italian capital...

Stazione Termini

This is the side entrance to Rome's unique train station.
Having only one station is a good indication that the place is not that big. In fact from 'Stazione Termini' on the far right of the city map, to the most westerly point, that is the Holy City, it only takes a good hour if you're ready to walk. And if you want to take the underground, please note that it does not go into the oldest part of the city. So what you need above all here is a good pair of legs!

Ciampino station, somewhere on the outskirts of Rome, Saturday 17/12/05, 9.30 a.m.

From the sky, the outskirts of Rome reminded me very much of landing into Marakech with hundreds of horrible concrete blocks like these.
When the pilot decided the view certainly wasn't worthy of the name we were heading for, he made a turn towards the river, which led us straight into the heart of antique Rome. Now the buildings were much more outstanding.
An hour later, on the platform of Ciampino Station I was looking forward to reaching the sights we had seen from the plane...

This month:

Who knows what 2006 has in store for us?