I made it to Rome.Yeah!

I didn’t realize how tired that I was. I’m glad to be here, glad to finish the walk to Rome; however, no real super exhilaration, no real “Wow, I did this.” Maybe in a couple of days.

I can also tell that I’m tired because my usual drive to see thing’s isn’t real strong. But….

Of course, I’m still seeing things. I wander through the piazza in front of St. Peter’s. I climb to the cupola on top of St Peter’s. I visit Rome’s ancient art museum. I visit the Capuchin Church of Skulls (which got me thinking of another post…tomorrow maybe). I visit three of the Seven Sister Churches. St. Peters to get my Testimonium. St. Mary Maggiore since it’s close to the BnB. St Lawrence outside the Walls because I need to walk some more ( 1-1/2 miles there and then return that same 1-1/2 miles). Sometimes I’m not to bright! Depends on tomorrow if I see the other four churches. Of course, I know that I will!

I’ve made another earth-shattering discovery. Walking in the city is quite a bit different than the Italian countryside. In Rome, watch out.

Don’t think about crossing a street somewhere other than a corner. Buses I see; bus drivers probably see me. The bus drivers are high enough to see me and seem to be constantly scanning the road in front of them. Truck drivers are no nonsense. They have a job to do. Watch out. Get out of their way. Car drivers are generally careful. Most of them know that they are in big trouble if they hit a walker.

But, then there are the two wheelers. Scooters are the preferred means of travel according to the BnB owner. In fact, as I arrive at the BnB, she arrives, on a scooter of course. Scooters are maneuverable and sufficiently fast. I can usually spot them. The scooter drivers are generally careful since they are also low on the Rome transportation pecking order. The drivers are constantly scanning the road ahead so they are ready to shift one way or another. They’ll be lying prone on the ground if they make a mistake.

Surprise. Surprise. I find that the bicyclists are the most dangerous. Sometimes the dangerous cyclists are the local; sometimes the most dangerous are those renting he bicycles. They are small so cars, trucks, buses can hide them. They also claim any space they want. Bike lanes. Street. Sidewalks. I walk around a corner today only to stop in my tracks as a “meals-on-wheels” guy comes speeding around the corner. They are the ones I really watch for.

I also find those using two feet can be annoying. In Rome’s anonymous world, a low level aggression emerges. We walkers play “chicken” on two feet. Who’s going to move from the colliding course first? There are the tour groups. As individuals, they are probably the salt of the earth; however, they move like a herd. Stopping and starting; stopping and starting. They take over a whole sidewalk, from curb to building. They listen to their guide unaware that others use the sidewalk for walking. Then there are the family or friends who decide that they must walk abreast. They look surprised when you say excuse me and try to pass. Finally, there are the blind, the walkers who are so intent on their cellphones that they barely know who might be in front of them.

In several of these encounters, I have a strategy. On my trips to Jerusalem, I was always impressed by a procession leader who had a long staff with a metal plate on the lower end. When he had to make sure that people needed to clear space for the procession, he slammed the metal end of the staff on the street stones. Quite a noise. Darn effective! Since I’ve lost the rubber tips of my walking poles, I do the same thing! It works every time! My problem is that today I didn’t have my walking poles. Arghhh.

As I write this post, I realize not only that I am tired, but also that Rome has shocked me. I’ve been use to rural, slow-pace Italy. Rome is anything but that!

Yet, my feet have carried me to Rome. I’ve finished the Via Francigena. Although I’ve several other thoughts for posts swirling in my head, it is time to celebrate.

Can you guess what I’ll get?