Rome

[jairpeltier]

What could I say about Rome which has not been said. For millennia poets, historians, theologians, royalty, and clergy alike have spoken of la citta eterna and have never fully captured her spirit. Likewise, though I shall fall short... here is my journal entry. My first impression of the city, in my traveling fog, was that of child wondering home. I literally traveled by plane, train, and automobile(not in that order) to get here. I recall the old adage "all roads lead to Rome". I suppose that extends to modern means of transportation. As a Roman Catholic Rome has a special place in my heart. Rome is my Mecca. The apex of my religious journey. For years Rome has been a personal point of study. Rome has been the seat of political, spiritual, and temporal power. This power can be felt to this day. The ancient temples reflect the glory of a bygone era. The medieval churches reflect an ever evolving spirit. Even the modern buildings reflect a desire to recapture that sense of glory. Though Rome seems to be eternal, humanity is not. Regime change, constitutional turmoil, economic disaster have all been the cause of drastic change. At the time of the ancient Roman republic people thought that that institution would remain forever. It eventually fell to the dust pan of history. We can take this as a lesson in itself. We imagine the United States to be an indefectible institution but as history has shown we should not be so naive. I am excited to see how this trip unfolds; to understand moreso the ancient Romans attempts at eternal life. As they say, we as humans die twice. First when we physically die and then when our name is uttered for the last time. In that sense the Caesars and the Saints are indeed still with us. I look forward to exploring the city with them.