Guess what? Today was my first full day in Rome! I didn't do much yesterday, just got to know the street I'm going to be hanging out on the next few days and had dinner (spaghetti carbonara and a tiramesu, mouth watering yet?) But today was a different story, today I hit the road early in hopes of seeing the Pope, which I didn't but you can't call the day lost so soon.Want to hear a funny story? Ok, here goes. While I was at the Vatican tooling around (I'm not actually going to see any of the museums until Saturday) I stepped into the post office to mail a post card. Believe it or not this isn't a story about my by a postage stamp with the Pope's face on it (which just seemed weird). When I stepped up to the window I noticed that they had ink pens for sale (one euro) that had "Vatican Post" written on the side. Brilliant, I thought, if your running a post office someone is going to want to write their letters there and if they forgot to bring a pen they have to buy one! It shows great forethought, I believe. In the next breath I scoffed at the poor dopes who had to buy a pen because they didn't travel with one (at least in my head). I headed over to the table to write my post card out and found that not only had I taken my pen out to use while I was reading my book last night I forgot to put it back in! Guess who's the proud new owner of a Vatican Post Office Pen? It's an heirloom souvenier I think.
So, after I left the Vatican I changed religions so to speak and headed over to the Jewish Ghetto, which was really interesting. Apparently the Jewish presence in Rome
has been the longest uninterrupted presence in the world, but in 1555 the Pope (I have no idea which one) decreed that Jews and Catholics should not live together and the ghetto was built. For some reason completely unbeknownst to me, I am absolutely fascinated with Jewish culture and tradition, though I know little about it. ( As I was going through the museum I was trying to decide which I know more about: Catholicism or Judaism. I can't decide.) Anyway, I'd always hear the term ghetto used in reference to WWII, but never prior so I was interested to find out that it was an age old "practice" of confining these people within a certain area typically surrounded by some sort of wall. There were only three gates leading into the ghetto. Now, I can go on and on about what all I learned in this museum, (feel free to ask if you want to know more), but I won't bore you. I will, however tell you the little tidbit of information that you all might actually already know.
My first question on finding the Synagogue? Why are there palm trees outside? I went on a tour that took me inside (the first time I have ever been in a Synagogue by the way) and this building completely rivals some of the Christian churches I've seen over here. It was built in 1904 after the closing of the ghetto in 1870. Inside it is absolutely beautiful with a painted ceiling. The guide explained all the symbolism to us: The very top of the roof was painted in rainbow colors to symbolize peace and God's promise to Noah (that I knew), at the base of this were the heads of four palm trees. Did you know that tradition holds that four palm trees were planted at each of the corners of the Garden of Eden? I did not (I fully blame my Baptist education for this. I remember nothing about palm trees mentioned in Sunday school except in conjuncture with Jesus riding a donkey, which, obviously, is not the case here.) Below that there were stars painted across a blue background references God's promise to Abraham. The museum inside was interesting too, they had all sorts of altar garments and prayer shawls. It was just like Fiddler on the Roof, except with less music... and I was in Italy, not Russia. But seriously, the Jewish community has (and in some places still is) faced unbelievable persecution for their beliefs, sadly often times (from a historical standpoint) from Christians. This, I find incredibly sad, because I see our faiths as close relatives who share a substantial amount of history. As one faith took roots and spread across the world she turned her back on her brother. (stepping down from soap box now...)
Today I am proud to announce that I did in five minutes what it took Robert Langdon
an entire book to do. Visit Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers. Ok, so it's been since my senior year in high school (3 years!) since I've read Angels and Demons, however I do remember they Langdon finds the last cardinal in this fountain (I can't remember if he dies or not. I think he does... ) It was kind of cool to see it. I'm now wishing I had reread the book so I could search out the other statues, but alas even if I had I'm sure I wouldn't have time. This one satisfies however!
Well, that's about all for now, throw in a lunch stop and you just about have my day. Oh yes, I finished the book I was reading today. Lesson to Lindsay: never ever read a biography of the person who wrote your favorite book. You will only learn that she was bitter, hypocritical, and completely incapable of having a normal human relationship. Fortunately for me this doesn't mean I have to stop liking the book, just the author. Sad day.
