Not So Lizzie Maguire
It’s just like you imagined. Water flowing, coins flying, and everybody getting the perfect Instagram picture that everyone double-taps 100 times. Except there are hundreds of people competing for the same goal and there are street vendors trying to grab a hold of your money. Lizzie Maguire did not prepare you for this Roman monument. She had the Fountain of Trevi to herself and the love of her life waiting for her on a scooter.
While there might be a few thousand more Euros and pennies than in the movie, the beauty of Fountain of Trevi was more than I could have imagined. The water has a tortoise gem tint to it that makes the entire piece look like a necklace worn by the gods. One can only admire the marvel for only a few seconds at a time, because the back of your head will probably come out in a hundred of other people’s selfies and the selfie sticks are coming at your face from every direction. There may be the occasional skirmish for the best picture position, but anyone who travels a couple times a year should be a veteran by now. It is strange that this monument looks like it is at the end of some random alley that you could have accidentally taken a wrong turn at. All of the buildings around it look like the stacked building you find in Europe, so it conceals the site well.
It would be best to conceal your money at this time as well. There are many beggars, vendors and overpriced markets at every turn. The African merchants have the nicest handshake, but won’t let go of your hand until you stare directly into their eyes or take one of their trinkets that dangle from every limb. They all offer free items in exchange for money, which makes it an awkward situation for every party involved. They find a way to get one of their wristbands in your hand and then blankly stare into your eyes. It feels your are about to say goodbye on a first date and you don’t know if you should walk away or give them the change in your pocket. If they don’t take your money, the markets will take a crack at it as well. They offer everything a tourist could possibly want: gelato, crepes, pizza and pasta. Each restaurant has a host outside of its gates that has a compliment for you to convince you to go inside. The boost in ego is nice, but walking away from the fountain for a cheaper meal is even better.
With all the money you saved from your walk, you can drop some change in the street performer’s hats. A couple headless guys, a golden pharaoh, and spray paint artists are happy to offer their entertainment for spare change. They seem to guide you to every landmark and the crowds around them to pique your interest. The decapitated jokers sit on a bench as if they are waiting for the next bus to pick them up. They point and react to everyone that notices their floating hats and sunglasses. The golden king sits there as if it has become a statue. Tourists come by to take a picture and are quickly scared into realizing that there is a person under the gold. If your pictures of the Coliseum do not come out that well, the spray paint artists got your back. They do quick stencil work of the arena and it seems like the moon has come down to sit right behind the monument.
While there might not be Lizzie’s Paulo waiting for you on a fancy scooter, there is plenty to keep you busy in Rome. There are people that will be more than happy to take your money and picture opportunities to earn your likes on social media. After all, “This is what dreams are made of.”
