A bunch of us were out enjoying the beautiful weather tonight, walking through the Piazza Navona, gelato in hand, when we saw a group of people in the center of the piazza. They had 4 or 5 of these miniature hot air balloons, which looked like plastic bags with a large votive in them, and were setting them off one by one. Every time one launched successfully they all cheered and clapped, then set up the next balloon. Watching the balloons was a spectacle. They would just barely make it above a crowd of people, and would then quickly start to rise in the air. They all followed the same path, leaving a trail of lights over the piazza. It seemed like they would get miles away within minutes of being let go, their light still visible high in the sky. It was hard to take my eyes off of the lights, hoping to watch them travel on until they were no longer visible. A feeling of realizing where I was at that moment, being in Rome, working at the Vatican, hanging out with some really awesome people, all hit me at that moment.
These next three months are a fleeting moment. They will pass me by as quickly as the balloon takes to get out of sight. It just made me realize I have to take it all in and take notice of every little detail until it is gone.
By the way, if anyone knows of any significance of the balloons, I'd love to hear about it in the comments. For those who don't know how to comment, right below this post it will say "comments". Click on that, then type your comment and either sign into one of the existing types of accounts, or if you don't have one click Anonymous and just make sure to leave your name in the comment!
Tours this weekend, lets hope for good weather.
Showing posts with label Lights. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lights. Show all posts
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Via del Corso
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Christmas done right?
Arriving in Rome a couple days ago, it became pretty apparent that they are still very much in the Christmas season. The first sign of this came while boarding the plane in Newark. As I sat down in my seat, I heard coming through the speakers, what sounded like one of Kenny G's Christmas albums. For about a half hour in between announcements and interruptions the Christmas music continued. I thought to myself that they must have forgotten to switch the CD's in the music system onboard.
Arriving in Rome I realized the Christmas music on the plane was no slip up. Rome, or Italy I suppose for that matter, is still celebrating Christmas. Christmas lights are still up everywhere, which brings me to one of my first points. Americans decorate all wrong. I began noticing that sidestreets and shops were all decorated for christmas, very simply. Across streets there are strands of lights hanging from one side to the other, which blink, more like twinkle (shown in the photo from my last post).
Above shops and restaurants, a single strand of lights, or some greenery with lights in it. Nothing overdone, fancy, its simple and it works (I've watched too many design shows with Becky it seems). No blow up snowman, no extravagant light displays. If a tree is lit, it's done right. Every branch and level of the tree is equally lit, and it looks like someone actually put in time to do it right.
Walking through the streets at night, the street musicians are still playing Christmas songs. The Christmas sales are taking place now, the first week in January. Christmas decorations not only come down on the Feast of the Epiphany in Churches, but throughout the streets of Rome as well, which marks the end of the Christmas season in the Church.
Okay so this may have not been incredibly thought provoking as I had promised, but I'll leave you with this: After having experienced both the American and Italian "Christmas Season" myself I'm torn in my answer to the question "Which one feels right?" The American way because I've grown up with it? or the Italian way, a refreshing reminder that a little Chirstmas spirit can exist after December 25th.
Arriving in Rome I realized the Christmas music on the plane was no slip up. Rome, or Italy I suppose for that matter, is still celebrating Christmas. Christmas lights are still up everywhere, which brings me to one of my first points. Americans decorate all wrong. I began noticing that sidestreets and shops were all decorated for christmas, very simply. Across streets there are strands of lights hanging from one side to the other, which blink, more like twinkle (shown in the photo from my last post).
Above shops and restaurants, a single strand of lights, or some greenery with lights in it. Nothing overdone, fancy, its simple and it works (I've watched too many design shows with Becky it seems). No blow up snowman, no extravagant light displays. If a tree is lit, it's done right. Every branch and level of the tree is equally lit, and it looks like someone actually put in time to do it right.
Walking through the streets at night, the street musicians are still playing Christmas songs. The Christmas sales are taking place now, the first week in January. Christmas decorations not only come down on the Feast of the Epiphany in Churches, but throughout the streets of Rome as well, which marks the end of the Christmas season in the Church.
Okay so this may have not been incredibly thought provoking as I had promised, but I'll leave you with this: After having experienced both the American and Italian "Christmas Season" myself I'm torn in my answer to the question "Which one feels right?" The American way because I've grown up with it? or the Italian way, a refreshing reminder that a little Chirstmas spirit can exist after December 25th.
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