Roma - Part Four (End Scene)

Let's dive in directly, shall we?

After the whole Vatican experience, I was wiped. I met up with Jennifurball, and we had a glorious salad for lunch. Italian food is good, as is expected, but kind of lacking in the vegetable department. At least cheaper Italian is anyway. Afterward, we were kind-of at a loss for what to do. We looked through J's guidebook and I hit upon the Protestant Cemetery.

I understand this would not be a draw for many folks, but there was a certain someone buried in the cemetery that I have had and will always have a crush on. As a warning, this next bit is going to get a bit word-nerdy. I have a rather embarrassing declaration to make: I LOVE the romantic poets. For those that are not English folk, this is akin to an art person declaring they love Monet or Renoir. In other words, "duh, they are decidedly unoffensive - who doesn't like them" and/or "wow, you are super unoriginal and kinda...lame". Whatever, it is what it is. So, now that you know my slightly shameful secret, you will appreciate how excited I was when I remembered a certain Mr. John Keats had died in Rome. Here is a little history of John Keats (from our good friend Wiki):

Was born on Halloween (oooo!!) 1795 in England. He was the last born of the Romantics, and the first to die. Though he enrolled in medical school and apparently did quite well, he was determined to be a poet. His was first published at the age of 19; and was an author by 20. He befriended the Romantic set, and wrote some more poetry - basically all of it panned by the critics. He contracted tuberculosis from his brother, and was told to relocate to a warmer climate. He died in Rome in Feb 1821 at the age of 25.

The Protestant Cemetery also houses the grave of Mr. Percy Bysshe Shelley, the big kahuna of the Romantics. Also lots of other important people - anyone who died in Rome that wasn't Catholic. They put all those crazy followers of Luther way outside the city center where they would not pollute the holy catholic community. Jennie was not super into the idea of going to this cemetery, she isn't a fan of cemeteries in general, but even she admitted that this place had an air to it after we arrived. The entrance is marked by a giant pyramid which was built in 30 BC as a tomb, and then later incorporated into the Cemetery walls. The cemetery itself is decorated in a Mediterranean fashion, with palm and Cyprus trees everywhere. It was all very peaceful -- that is until they started playing some obnoxious classical music in order to drive us out. Unfortunately we didn't arrive at the graveyard until 4 and it closed at 5. So, we raced around trying to see everything we wanted and then scooted out.

Highlights (in pictures):

After the Cemetery, we headed back to our B&B to get ready for dinner. The cousin of a friend of Jennie's was very kindly taking us out to dinner! Her name is Fabiana and she is darling; she is from a village outside Naples and took us to her friend's pizzaria. Now, as everyone knows, the best pizza in Italy comes from Naples, so we were excited! And I can say now that both the food and company were delicious. The restaurant is called PepeNero, if anyone is ever in Rome and wants good pizza!!

The next day we stayed just long enough to do a good turn for an elderly lady staying in our B&B, (well Jennie really did it, I just accompanied) and then picked up Caroline! Our third roomie, finally arrived! We are now complete!

And thus the trip to the south was over, as is this post. Arrivederci!