The Rome-ing Stones 6-30-14

Friends, Romans, countrymen… Lend me your ears… Shakespeare reference anyone? Anyone???  C’mon, you knew I had to do it…

Well people, I’ve been gone about 3 ½ months now… Let’s see – So far, I’ve:

Immersed myself in the intense and powerful Israeli culture,
Om, shanti shanti shantied with my Bali yogi family,
Lived primitive on the secluded island of Gili Gede,
Enjoyed the silence in my 10 day Buddhist retreat, and
Downward dogged my way through Indian ashrams…

I’ve climbed mountains and reflected…
I’ve contemplated lifes’ questions on the shores of holy rivers…
Pondered the path of my past and future on dirty buses and park benches…
I’ve prayed and meditated – Grieved, soul searched, progressed…
I’ve stretched myself from the inside out…
Reached out from the depths of my soul to the blue skies to search my highest self…
I’ve expanded the horizons of my consciousness…
I’ve seen God and confronted Him…
Seen myself and confronted her…
I’ve seen every failed relationship from the past and confronted them…
I’ve made peace with the patterns of my past and released them…
Said goodbye to my old self, and hello to a lighter, happier version of myself…

I’ve eaten strange things and slept in uncomfortable places…
Bathed in places you couldn’t imagine…
Smelled horrible things, walked barefoot on rugged terrains, befriended strangers and depended on them in times of need.
I’ve talked to countless people about happiness…
Jumped off mountains and trusted God (and a little Indian fellow) to help me fly…
Said goodbyes to so many people I wanted to hold on to knowing that the moments we’d shared would never repeat themselves – many I’d never see again…
I’ve cried tears in moments of happiness because I’d forgotten what happiness felt like…
I’ve figured out the most important thing we can do to remain whole in this crazy world is to be authentic to ourselves…
And I’ve learned to trust my instincts in the face of fear and follow my heart down whatever road it leads me.

And I’m still growing – I’m not done yet…. There’s still work to be done here… But for now, my friends… Now, my friends – It’s time to get my party on!

I arrived in Rome with Carolina and Yaron and we had one night booked at a hotel outside the city. Then the two lovebirds were off to the Amalfi Coast and I went off into the city.   I found myself a super cool hostel in Rome and could tell from the website it was gonna be a good time. What would you do without the internet Eryn?

A new friend on Facebook (Thanks Mike!!) mentioned to me that the Rolling Stones were playing in Rome. Even though I had not been a huge fan in the past, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see this legendary band in concert. When in Rome and all… LOL I was lucky enough to get a ticket online the night before the concert… Score!!! Wait wait wait, who buys 1 ticket to a concert? Who goes to a concert by themselves? Apparently I do… Ummm, me and 70,000 strangers… Huh….

I arrive to The Yellow (my hostel) about 3:30 the day of the concert. I mentioned to the girls at check in that I was going to see the Stones and asked if they knew anyone going. I didn’t really think anyone at this “under 40” hostel would be going… All three of them raised their hands… “You can join our group” one of them said… Score Score!!!  (Sara, you are the best!!! Muaahhh!!!)

Thirty minutes later I met them down at the bar and we clanked glasses with our first round of cocktails… Well, ok they were plastic cups – not really clanking…  The bar was full of people spilling out into the street at 4:00 in the afternoon. I ran down to the corner pizza place to grab a slice before we left… Ahhh my first piece of pizza in Italy – Yes!! Grazie Roma!! Tranne questo particolare tipo di pizza risucchiato… Non importa, siete a Roma!

Some of the group going to the concert were employees at the hostel and the others were travelers like me… We walked over to the metro station and took a train just a few stops down the line… We strolled the streets with beer in hand passing the Colosseum and other beautiful non-recognizable decaying structures…

We make it to Circus Maximus*, an open-air arena with grassy/rock fields and we join thousands of fans chillin out on the lawn. It’s a scene like no other with an impressive stage at one end, beer tents all around and in the distance an ancient crumbling brick structure, reminding us that we’re not just in any city – we’re in Rome!

*Circus Maximus is an ancient Roman chariot racing arena…  What whaaaat??  How cool!!!!

And then the music started – The crowd went wild, we all sang along and a few played their air guitars (H and K, you rocked it!!)… LOL The party continued late into the night……..

Check out this link to see/hear the Rolling Stones at Circus Maximus…  Unforgettable night 🙂

Some new friends I met the day before the concert sent me this awesome picture…. They’re a flight crew out of Belgium… You guys are awesome… Safe flying my friends 🙂