Rome, Day 21--Trek to Trevi

We had been in Rome for three weeks, and had done very little sightseeing. I woke up on a Saturday morning thinking that if I could get out the door early enough, I could head to the Trevi fountain before it got crowded.

As I started getting ready, I realized that it was a little dark out, even at 7:45. Was that rain? Maybe a few sprinkles. So much the better--I wasn't really leaving early enough, but maybe some rain would deter others from heading toward my destination. I grabbed my jacket and an umbrella and started off on my mile-plus morning walk. As I left, the thunder started rolling in.

Rain started barreling down, and the lightning started taking itself seriously. When I got home I learned that the kids had pulled chairs up in front of the windows to watch the show. Most of my walk was a straight trek straight into the heart of the storm. The long, straight street (what, are there six of these in all of Rome?) created a wind tunnel. The sky was dark and deserted but for me and the umbrella-sellers seeking shelter in deep doorways.  My eyes were constantly darting around, noting the nearest such doorway for possible shelter for myself, which felt something like looking for the nearest exit in an aircraft. I also found myself gauging the height of the buildings, thinking, "Surely lightning will strike the tops of one of these buildings before coming all the was down here...right?" I missed my street turn; the rain was so thick I couldn't read the names of the streets. Three times my umbrella blew out before I finally just shut it for a while. More than once I was genuinely, deliciously afraid. 

I did eventually make it to Trevi, though, and it turns out that only three other people were insane enough to brave the weather and get there. One couple left soon after my arrival. The other (an American, of course) and I took photos of each other. I made it!

I am so grateful for my dark, stormy morning adventure. And that I didn't get struck by lightning. Perhaps not the most conventional tourist excursion, but I'll take it!