Roman holidays.

When my son was about 8 or maybe a little older we went to Lido di Jesolo.  Two things I regret about that holiday, one that we initially said no to the kids when they wanted to go on a gondola ride (we changed our minds but they did not want to go then) and that having promised Nathan and his friend Joanna that they could chill by the pool all day on the last day,  suddenly the weather changed and it really was end of the season. That was the holiday Nathan ate tiramisu every day!  I still do not like it, it was a lovely holiday. There was a moment, when Linda and Joanna were joined by more friends camping nearby and we all headed off for a memorable meal by the beach, just enjoying the sun, the sea and the company - in true Italian fashion, it felt like we were in a movie.    And Venice of course was Venice extra-ordinary.         Little did I realise that I would pass through a couple more times as part of my work for EiA, or that I would have a week working nearby to Lido di Jesolo, it was the last tie I worked for the company, but I have happy memories of working there and in Udine and Pordenone, northern towns I would not know otherwise. 

But I started to know Italy in my 20's, part of my degree, heading to Naples, Capri, Rome and Florence was an obvious choice.   It was not love at first sight, though it felt amazing to see so many world famous sights and to eat proper pizza for the first time.      I also made a life long friend,  though Brexit has almost done for us, but passing through passport control, we realised we worked for the same organisation and I am pleased to say we have kept in touch every since.   

In the meantime, I have visited Parma and Bologna, with my part Italian ex,  Milan and its surrounds including Mantegna and Verona and the glorious Dolomites with my step dad, whilst he lived out in Italy.   Abruzzo was the site of a memorable holiday weekend with my brother and his children and his then partner in their gorgeous home in the mountains, (which was marred by a horrendous car accident witnessed by me, but was a stunning location and of course a great and rare chance to be with my niece and nephew) and last year I was wowed by Genoaese architecture, palaces, and bridges.  It was horrendous to realise that one of these sublime structures crashed to the ground killing many.   But I have always intended to return to Rome.  I do not know how long we spent in Rome on our whistle stop tour.  I recall the Roman highlights but also that our hotel was very fragrant  So almost forty years on, I am back and despite it being September it is hot, hot, hot, so just as well my hotel is out near the airport in Ciampino and I was able to head out to Lake Albano today and the papal museums at Castel Gandolfo   I had a lovely day, but seemed to have totally misunderstood my booking as I failed to see the gardens but I did see the museum.  So it looks like I will just have to come back again!  Hopefully I have booked the right tickets for tomorrow as it is a return to the Vatican and Michaelangelo.

I am not a Christian, let alone a Catholic, and since the last visit the horrors of the level of the abuse and the cover up of the abuse has thoroughly tarnished the credibility and reputation of the church and the faith in many ways.  Listening to the history of the many, many popes, though was interesting, to kind of have a view of how they have progressed through and been a key part of history.    The museum

Papal pretender

Papal Chair

Prewar Pope. 

Papal view.

perhaps not surprisingly put a better spin for example on how the church handled the Germans during WW2 and their stand against antisemitism.    So although it was not quite what I thought I was visiting, i am glad I have been there and the Lake is beautiful, the Pope just has the most wonderful view.   I want to picture him flying down the hill in his cloak and splashing into the lake as if it is Galilee and his Lord is there to great him.