domenica a roma

Sunday, April 6, Rome. Timberland walking shoes & a good map in hand, I set out at 9am to explore life via the backstreets & piazzas of Rome. The streets were still empty & quiet except for the glorious ringing of church bells. This man was the first person I saw when I left the hotel. Time for a reality check. Life is not all beauty & art in Italy..... just like anywhere else. I don't know if he's homeless (look how beautifully polished his shoes are) but he carried the dejected aura that is prevalent around those who have lost hope, been beaten down by life. Unlike in north america, homelessness was not obvious to me on the streets of the cities I visited. A few were begging, and in a desperate manner, but uncluttered by the personal possessions most homeless people seem to carry............. (original frame)

explore 104. Thank you all for your support.