Thursday, April 07, 2005
You gotta love Italians!
My dear Sam, at the moment, is in his faithful Alpha Romeo on his way to Rome! (See my previous post, He's going to Rome) Please say a prayer he finds a parking spot and still has a reservation at his hotel.
Mama Mia! Que Casino! CITY'S CHAOS FRIGHTENING & THRILLING
By ANDREA PEYSER
April 7, 2005 -- ROME ???? So close. Johanna O'Connell, visiting the Eternal City from Maryland, stepped toward a subway train near the Vatican when a force far greater than her slim body swept her off her feet. For real.
She was standing just yards from the spot where Pope John Paul II lay in state. Suddenly, hundreds of hands grabbed hold of her. Shoving, shouting, mauling. She was drawn into the train, while her two pals were left outside the closing door. It took hours for them to find one another again. Plans to view the pope also were swept away.
"It would have been great to see him," the Loyola College student said dejectedly.
Monumental forces have converged here ???? the force of extreme faith, combined with sheer, human determination and perseverance. And more than a sprinkling of curiosity.
The desire to participate in mourning the pope has sucked what feels like a major portion of the global population into Rome. Transportation is overwhelmed. Hotels are so full, the government here has asked citizens to share their homes. People have dropped from heat exhaustion as they've waited up to 12 hours under the broiling sun for a glimpse at the pope that was to last just seconds.
Then, last night, the authorities announced there would be no more viewing. They were shutting down the line.
It is chaos, yes. But it is, at the same time, thrilling to watch. Despite the immense crowds, the discomfort and hassle, I have not witnessed a single incident of violence in three days.
Americans, even those of us accustomed to jam-packed cities, crowded subways and insane drivers, have been virtually locked out of the test of endurance that the Vatican has become, feeling helpless against the millions who just keep rolling in.
Rome will survive, of this I'm certain.
It always has.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment