On Traffic, Tourists, and other Things

Hello all! We are in Rome, the whole family together. Sarah and I met Mom, Dad, and Marie at the Roma airport just two days ago. It seems like much longer. It is incredibly hot here, so we are very glad to have air conditioning in our bedrooms.

I enjoy being back in Roma. It has been nice to revisit some of the places that I visited in Euroquest, now four years ago I think? Wow. Anyway, it is fun to know more about what we are seeing, thanks to Rick Steves... but there is so much more about the city that I want to see and can[t. Roma has this beautiful, touristy, religious, historical side, but we can also see the other side. We are constantly on the lookout for pickpockets. We see beggars everywhere. We just toured St Peter[s Basilica, which is beautiful, but was built by extortion of the people in the name of God. During lunch yesterday, we watched as illegal aliens, who sell bags and sunglasses on the sidewalks, literally ran from the police. They come here to find work, and when they can[t, they end up as these salesmen. It is a whole new side of Roma that I didn[t even notice my first time here.

Tourists are overwhelming. There are alwazs more of them, and they are alwazs videotaping and talking loudly and absolutely stomping over the culture. I hope that we are able to travel more sensitively.

I have a minute and a half left, so I will close... but I hope everyone at home is doing well! We will be ready to be home in just over a month. Love to all!