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Carpe Diem: Why Not Rome For Your Birthday?
- By CWF Sources
- Published 04/6/2007
- Beyond California
A long band of golden sunshine was peaking through the night sky as my wife and I approached Rome on our nine-hour Delta flight. I will never forget it. It was a streak of a special hue that is forever etched in my consciousness. I had visions of religious imagery somehow rising out of the scene. Was I hallucinating? After all, I didn't get much sleep on the flight. I immediately reached for cold water to reach a more sober state despite the fact that I didn't drink a drop of alcohol on the flight. Delta can be reassured that I didn't see an image of the Virgin Mary dancing in the clouds thus canceling my plans to take groups on the plane to look for future sightings. My state of awareness was fully realized as we descended into a Saturday morning in Rome. Even before I touched down on Italian soil, I feel that somehow I received a preview of how religious this Southern European country is in this day and age of television personalities claiming that the territory is secular. When it comes to Italy, the pundits couldn't be more wrong. Religion is alive and well here.
After experiencing its art in scores of museums and in its architecture, there is no escaping the religious passion that these beautiful people possess. But there is no better place to see the devotion to a higher power than in Italy's churches. I felt like a fly on the wall as I witnessed the chanting, singing, kneeling and even tears being shed under the grand domes in these massive historical structures.
Meals bring all ages to Italian tables.
I thought I would only view these scenes in photographs. In my life I never thought that I would visit Italy. With obligations, interests and bills too numerous to mention, I just never had the opportunity to think about traveling overseas again. As I hit my 40th birthday on the heels of a dear colleague at work who passed away last year, I felt that life was too short. My colleague was an ambitious traveler who lived more in his short life than most people on this earth. So, what does one do when they are hit with an epiphany in the wake of personal tragedy? Well, when you have a wife like mine, she listens to your emotional pain and visions and surprises you with a trip to Italy. The decision couldn't have been more perfect.
I didn't "find religion" on the visit. I discovered how people connect through religion. The pinnacle of that dedication can be found at The Vatican. Flocks of faithful line up early here not only to learn more about their religion, but practice it as well. After touring The Vatican's myriad of museums and exhibits, I was in awe in the Tomb of the Popes. The foot traffic was gridlocked at one point. "It's Pope John Paul's tomb," my wife informed me. When I was able to break through the crowd, I saw people on the floor praying to the tomb. I knew this Pope had an impact on the world, but you don't know it until you get to this part of The Vatican. As I and other tourists clicked our digital cameras at his tomb, I was thinking about how one human being even after death impacts perhaps millions of others. That is a connection. I was never personally impacted by the Pope, but I always had a great deal of respect for his sense of decorum and generosity. He was an original Pope who stood up to Communism and apologized for one of his predecessors who didn't do enough to stare down Adolph Hitler. Even if one disagreed with Pope John Paul II's views, at least they were consistent as he was pro-life and anti-war. As I made my way through the throngs who looked like they weren't going to move from this area, I thought to myself: How will the current Pope follow this act?
And it is not only religion that impressed me about Italy. Family is huge here. As my wife and I dined in Rome's family-run restaurants, we saw large families gathered at 8 p.m. talking, laughing and sharing over bowls of fresh pasta and fine wine. Again, another connection. Yes, life is short. The Italians taught me how to live it.
I never saw that band of sunshine that I was searching for on my return flight to Atlanta, but I know that I will look at whatever approaching sun a bit differently now.
The trip inspired me to hold an Italian wine and cheese party to celebrate the trip. I felt this type of gathering not only makes connections with friends and family, but is a good replacement for a 40th birthday celebration. Who needs to be reminded of how much I've aged? I'll save that for my 50th.
Robert J. Nebel is a journalist whose works have appeared in several publications including The Gwinnett Daily Post, Points North magazine, January magazine, USA Today and other outlets. http://bobnebel.tripod.com
After experiencing its art in scores of museums and in its architecture, there is no escaping the religious passion that these beautiful people possess. But there is no better place to see the devotion to a higher power than in Italy's churches. I felt like a fly on the wall as I witnessed the chanting, singing, kneeling and even tears being shed under the grand domes in these massive historical structures.
Meals bring all ages to Italian tables.
I thought I would only view these scenes in photographs. In my life I never thought that I would visit Italy. With obligations, interests and bills too numerous to mention, I just never had the opportunity to think about traveling overseas again. As I hit my 40th birthday on the heels of a dear colleague at work who passed away last year, I felt that life was too short. My colleague was an ambitious traveler who lived more in his short life than most people on this earth. So, what does one do when they are hit with an epiphany in the wake of personal tragedy? Well, when you have a wife like mine, she listens to your emotional pain and visions and surprises you with a trip to Italy. The decision couldn't have been more perfect.
I didn't "find religion" on the visit. I discovered how people connect through religion. The pinnacle of that dedication can be found at The Vatican. Flocks of faithful line up early here not only to learn more about their religion, but practice it as well. After touring The Vatican's myriad of museums and exhibits, I was in awe in the Tomb of the Popes. The foot traffic was gridlocked at one point. "It's Pope John Paul's tomb," my wife informed me. When I was able to break through the crowd, I saw people on the floor praying to the tomb. I knew this Pope had an impact on the world, but you don't know it until you get to this part of The Vatican. As I and other tourists clicked our digital cameras at his tomb, I was thinking about how one human being even after death impacts perhaps millions of others. That is a connection. I was never personally impacted by the Pope, but I always had a great deal of respect for his sense of decorum and generosity. He was an original Pope who stood up to Communism and apologized for one of his predecessors who didn't do enough to stare down Adolph Hitler. Even if one disagreed with Pope John Paul II's views, at least they were consistent as he was pro-life and anti-war. As I made my way through the throngs who looked like they weren't going to move from this area, I thought to myself: How will the current Pope follow this act?
And it is not only religion that impressed me about Italy. Family is huge here. As my wife and I dined in Rome's family-run restaurants, we saw large families gathered at 8 p.m. talking, laughing and sharing over bowls of fresh pasta and fine wine. Again, another connection. Yes, life is short. The Italians taught me how to live it.
I never saw that band of sunshine that I was searching for on my return flight to Atlanta, but I know that I will look at whatever approaching sun a bit differently now.
The trip inspired me to hold an Italian wine and cheese party to celebrate the trip. I felt this type of gathering not only makes connections with friends and family, but is a good replacement for a 40th birthday celebration. Who needs to be reminded of how much I've aged? I'll save that for my 50th.
Robert J. Nebel is a journalist whose works have appeared in several publications including The Gwinnett Daily Post, Points North magazine, January magazine, USA Today and other outlets. http://bobnebel.tripod.com