Roma at dawn

Rome is a fascinating world class city.  During the day, the streets are wild with traffic of all sorts: scooters, motorcycles, buses, bicycles, cabs, pedestrians, tourists lost and looking sideways.  Needless to say, it's dificult to enjoy the environment with all its joys.   So, get out before all the craziness begins- get out before the day begins.  Ahhhh, the streets of Rome w/o the noise.  Pax e luce.  A cappucino by yourself, the newspaper in tranquillo, clean streets.  A fine experience.
     Granted, one can't visit the wonderful museums, churches, palazzos, etc, all closed,; but the strreet views are great and well worth the effort.   Unfortunately, the experience is short lived for the Romani are soon at it again: getting their day going, having their first espresso of the day, greeting the neighbor, planning the schedule, and thinking of living in style as only a Roman can do.
Biennale Antichita
Stopped at the Palazzo Venezia yesterday to attend the big antique show at the famous palazzo.   The palazzo itself is worth a visit- it is the palazzo that Mussolini used as his home during his reign over Italian government and politics.  It is quite a building.  The grand salons on the upper floors are breath taking in their size and decoration.  And to think it is hundreds of years old.  The antique dealers displayed museum quality objects that were worth the price of admission, from pre Christian marbles to Renaissance paintings to modern art.  It was all there.  A great show.
more later