Wet, Sensual, and Solitude - Following in the Steps of Dr. L - Part 2

Rome Roamin'

I woke up a little later than usual this morning . After bundling up in my wool coat and muffler, I headed out and instantly felt a few rain drops hit my head. I looked up to my hotel where my umbrella sat on the desk and uttered, "Fuck it."

Near a street corner I found a campaign poster for Renata Polverini who is running for president of the province. Even Italian politicians are fashionable. I do not know a thing about her politics, but her slogan "con te" (with you) makes me wish she was with me. So sexy. I like that a politician's sexy feminine confidence is not anything shocking or detracting to have in a poster for her campaign.

Ummm... damn, ... I can't stop looking at her

I found a local eatery and ordered my cappuccino, orange juice, and sandwich and planned out my day. With the rain lightly sprinkling, I definitely did not feel like visiting the Forum and other Roman ruins. Instead I headed out to get more of a Bernini fix.

Less than fifteen minutes from my hotel, I found Chiesa di Santa Maria Della Vittoria, home of the Angels and Demons darling, Ecstasy of St. Teresa. With the dark skies over Rome, the inside of the church was dark and full of mood. Sadly though, my photos were blurry and could not capture the beauty of the sculpture.

The Ecstasy of St. Teresa on a Rainy Day

I looked at it for awhile and absorbed the details as the dark church disappeared around me. The eyes of the figures tell the story. His are showing his desire to take her, hers are closed in ecstasy. Her form is sensual as her ecstasy takes her completely. The most erotic moment in the sculpture is her bare foot. Her big toe is slightly tightening. Having seen that sweet moment in my life where a spasm courses through her body, I had to smile and be happy for St. Teresa. It is funny how such a sensual and simple part of art is more erotic than the porn found on the internet.

Photographer unknown

Photographer unknown

I left the church to head to the Galleria Borghese. It is in a beautiful park called the Villa Borghese. I walked for twenty minutes to it in the sprinkling rain to discover it is closed on Mondays. I sighed and turned around to the beautiful park surrounding it. After consulting my map, I found a route through the park to my hotel near the Spanish Steps.

Through a Damp Park

Along the way I heard a saxophone playing in the rain. I gave the musician a couple of euros and sat on a bench beside him. In my journal I captured the moment -

Nothing finer than listening to saxophone in a park in the rain. I wonder what Joe is doing in NOLA?

Playing "Auld Lang Syne"

My Bench, My Friend

I don't mind the rain, in fact I enjoy it. Sitting in a peaceful park listening to the solo sax and taking in the moment means more to me than walking around a roman ruin. I closed my eyes and let my body absorb the life around me. Through the music, I could also hear a bird, a couple stroll by holding hands and talking softly and my presence there.

Sharing the Solitude

The musician's song ended and I opened my eyes and headed away. Through the park I noticed so many of the statues' heads were missing. I am curious why they are like that.

Where did it go?

I found the statue below of what I must assume are brothers in war. It felt like experiencing this tragic private moment with them. It matched the mood of the rain.


Near the park's exit, I found this couple walking out. It reminded me of how the rain makes the world shrink to what is near you. Having someone you are physically, emotionally, sexually close to walking with you is all that you experience in this type of weather.

Next

The Capital of the World in the Rain

Photo notes - all photos except of the close detail images of St. Teresa are mine.

Thanks!- Thank you Dr. L for a warm post about this trip over at What We Saw Today.