Just a Small Town Girl

Rome looks so unlike any American city that sometimes I forget that it is in fact a city. However, today was the Festa della Repubblica, and much of the major roadways have been closed this week and particularly today for the events and people came from all over Italy to celebrate in the city. Life in Italy explains: "June 2nd marks the day in 1946 when Italy voted in a referendum to abolish the monarchy and become a republic. Support for the monarchy had plunged because the king of Italy had supported Mussolini. So hostile was the public, that the royal family was exiled from Italy forever as punishment." Events included a bike race that ended in Rome on Sunday and a military parade today. Both these events made traversing back to me home, which is just past the Coliseum and thus major road ways, extremely difficult. Many stores, places to eat, and even the metro were also closed, making everyday details a little more difficult. Traveling tip: pay attention to the major holidays!