Lately, I've had this feeling that we've kind of missed the boat in terms of Italy, and particularly Rome. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's still full of beautiful and awe-inspiring sights, it's just that something seems slightly off. Growing up with my father always speaking so highly of Italy, needless to say, I arrived with lofty expectations. Last Friday, as we strolled through the beautiful Campo di Fiori, I couldn't help but notice the store fronts that were probably charming little fry-shops or traditional working-class trattorie that Molto Mario was always going on about were empty or worse filled with tourist souvenirs. Or even worse yet, had become bar/nightclubs for the young, drunken American crowd that dominates the square after about 7pm. I don't blame the bar owners, the shop owners, the restaurant owners, after all, if they didn't adjust to the consumers demand, they probably wouldn't been making any money or they would be out of business.
It just pains me that I have to miss out on the real Rome because hordes of young American sots have taken over a beautiful square and have actually turned it into "Little America" as I've heard it called. I suppose there is nothing we can do except search out other beautiful squares to stroll through, find the traditional restaurants and fry-shops and patronize them so when you all come visit there will still be a little Rome left and not just souvenir shops selling the same old crap or restaurants that have identical menus all with alfredo sauce, lasagna and meatball dishes. Sorry for the rant, just had to get that out.
No comments:
Post a Comment