It's my personal perspective of an unforgettable trip.

The capital of Italy is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world and it is so. It is a most fascinating of cities and at the same time more complex than I ever known. We begin with the historical center. The designation of the Eternal City makes perfect sense, the city rises up under the aegis of the Roman Empire and there are numerous monuments that we can visit to remember the influence of great historical figures of the then known world. The Coliseum is one of these mandatory stops. It is an imposing stone structure that leads us to a cruel past, where men and beasts died in the arena for the amusement of the masses. The Roman Forum is adjacent to and worth a stroll through the ruins that in those times was the center of the vast Roman Empire and where Julius Caesar perished by treachery, the place is easily accessible and the most curious is that people today still put flowers and offerings in what is thought to be the exact spot where he died.

The Trevi Fountain is another of the many sights worth visiting, is the conclave of several shopping streets and in front of the national pantheon. Thousands of tourists a day visit this beautiful classical architectural example. It was there were I saw for the first and last time sitting in the lap of Neptune d’artagnan. It's not who you are thinking! It is a curious character of the city that decides to invade the fountain when he desires and say it will commit suicide with a razor blade pointed to the neck, because according to him, his life is meaningless, because it cannot find work. The police of course, denied access to the site and had to close the water to prevent the three agents who were assigned  the task to dissuade him from his insane purpose not to slipp and fall, with a global audience who did not stop filming and take pictures the hole time. The funniest thing  was the reaction of a group of American right next to me, tourists like me who were questioning the lack media covereged. Where were the TV channels? The helicopters to film this event? And the backup police? Welcome to southern Europe, gentlemen! Crazy is what many are not lacking in this side of the Atlantic. It's the Latin blood that rises into the head. Of course our friend did not want to kill himself! The next day I read a small article about him, it was not the first time he had tried such a feat after all, it seems also he was not very fond of work, because in the past had job offers who he kindly declined, of course. What he wants I know! He like it to show up as a character says, in the contemporaries. The strangest thing was the judge's ruling, which prohibited him from returning the Trevi fountain, rather than the fine that could he not afford. My question was how could he prevent him from returning there again?

The title of the Eternal City turns out to be a weigh in the urban dynamics of this great metropolis. On one hand, there is a pride to shown the past, on the other hand becomes unbearable for those who reside there. In terms of contemporary architecture, the concept does not exist, simply collides with the Romanesque style of the buildings. If you are attentive there are no buildings more sophisticated and daring. Nothing. It is not simply allowed. The real estate speculation is so rampant that the city center, swarming with old palazzos, belongs only and exclusively to foreigners with sufficient financial capacity to acquire these old building that came with very high taxes. As the city is divided into sectors purchase sums for housing vary depending on the proximity to historic areas, transportation systems, schools and health institutions. The only sustainable way for the majority is renting a house. Rent in Rome is a luxury that must be shared. An income can vary from 1.500 Euros to 5.000 Euros depending on the location. Many Romans fight this serious housing problem one way, occupy old buildings. The "future residents" carry the structural improvements and inside their apartments, although it is an illegal occupation. Should now be asking themselves why they are not expelled by the legitimate owners? Because they suffer from the same plague that devastates the Portuguese courts, proceedings in these cases drag on for years and so compensates to prevaricate. Although in this case my sympathy swung to the usurpers.

The urban transport are another Achilles heel of this dense and populated city. It is total and utter chaos. Do you know why the tube has only two lines? Each time they equate the opening of a trail, surprise, surprise, comes up an ancient Roman ruins! So its historical you cannot build on them. Buses are the only possible way, but with unpredictable schedules as the city is plagued throughout the year of major events that further complicate the fluidity and flow of traffic. The famous motorino, or wasps, are the best option. But beware! Traffic rules do not govern the inhabitants of Rome. Drivers ignore the crosswalks, the roundabouts and anything is possible. It is not for amateurs. There are no priorities or any police of any sort. If you are aware that there is a difference between vehicles that are park on the street and those with a garage. The difference is evident in those cars parked in public spots, everywhere we see  dents and bumper tied with rope and lights crashed. There are no friendly agreements to anyone, I saw it, believe me. If by chance there is a collision and no injuries, people leave their vehicles argue, insult each other if the engine works each go back their own your life spending as very little time as they can in the road arguing. Time is always running out in Rome. Everyone is always in a hurry to be somewhere. It is a city that never sleeps. It works almost 24 hours a day. It is eternal even with time.

The idiosyncrasy of the Italians is inextricably linked to its geographical origin and food. I will not talk about food, because it is a redundancy, I'll just mention that we perfectly distinguish that part of the country a person comes by way it prepares the meal. In Rome, the ingredients are not the same for the same dish as compared to another location, for example, Naples. The way the Portuguese cook pasta is an attempt to Italians. A horror and rightly so! It's still think is funny. At one thing we agree on, in the cafe. Strong and aromatic, and no watery mess. I should add that, I love Italian food and my voyage was not like the movie love, eat and pray.

When you visit Rome do not forget to drink water that flows fresh and tasty from the free fountains mirrored the city. I've met people who have never understood, why there was only sparkling water bottled for sale, now you know why! Drink it is so wonderfully refreshing in the summer. And one last advice, do not visit to Rome in August is a furnace! Even so, my love for her is eternal!