How We Experienced The Passions of Roman Life.
We haven't met... yet, and until now you wouldn't know that I
make part of my living by writing about the city of Rome, its
people, passions, food, sport, history and culture. In fact, I
own a web site called Lets-Travel-Rome.com, which kinda happened
by happy accident after I visited this great city with my Wife -
one anniversary, some time ago.
If you've ever had the opportunity to travel to Rome, you'll
probably already know about the fervour and passion of its
people, who can get themselves into a convincing frenzy over
virtually anything that happens in daily life.
I had the chance to be in the city during the 2004 European
Football Championships, at a time when the national team were
heavily dependant on the form and talent of one Francesco Totti,
Rome's favorite footballing son, whose image cannot be avoided
wherever you look!
Here is a God-Like figure, who Romans pin their hearts and hopes
upon, every time he appears for the "Azzuri" (the national
squad) or their beloved Roma (the capitals leading team for many
years). It's almost impossible to purchase a Roma team shirt
without the "Totti" name emblazoned on its back, and his power
over advertising media can clearly be appreciated by the range
of products he is able to endorse succesfully around the cities
poster sites.
You can probably imagine the atmosphere found in the streets
during these crucial championship matches. The whole place
draped with flags and banners, windows thrown open, filling the
roads with the sounds of urgent cheering and disappointed groans.
Suddenly, we were taken by surprise, and Italy had scored a
goal! A massive uprising was taking place all around us, and the
waiter at our streetside cafe was off... running in triumphant
circles around the middle of the road. Cars were hooting, people
were leaning out of their windows to cheer and share in the
chaos, and normal life was suspended for several minutes whilst
the Romans celebrated their modern day gladiators success.
About half an hour later we became aware of an eary silence, and
the unthinkable had happened without our realisation. The
opposing team had scored an equalising goal, putting Italy out
of the final stages of the competition, and a grave period of
mourning was about to begin. Our waiter leaned listlessly
against the side wall of our cafe, all interest in activity
drained from his body... best get the bill and get out of here,
we thought.
The next days papers carried furious reviews of the nights
failings, and we couldn't find anyone who wanted to discuss
their dashed pride with mere tourists like us. Mr Totti stilled
smiled down on us, as we continued to stroll around the deflated
city, but we suspected his "pulling power" was sharply dimished
that day.
But, this was Rome, and before our break was spent, the old
passions were rising to the surface once more. Roma were to open
the new season with a derby match against the Old Enemy, Lazio,
and the rivalry between the two sets of fans is intense. The two
teams share the Stadio Olimpico, which has a capacity of 100,000
screaming fans... the modern version of The Coloseum, or The
Circus Maximus, we thought!
That's all for now. In my next article, I'll explain more of my
travel tips for your time in Rome.
Best wishes for a great vacation,
Les Sheppard