Grazie Maria Teresa Ferrari

One more word about Rome. I cannot imagine seeing Rome without Maria Teresa Ferrari, our extrordinary tour guide and attentive friend. Thank you Maddie for sending this beautiful, energetic gaurdian angel to escort us through Rome!
Teresa had only one single day to share Rome with us. I could have easily spent a week of days with her. Teresa is a philosopher, historian, guide and advocate. She can show, and tell you about:
the history of Rome from Romulus and Remus through Mussolini;
Rome top to bottom including the plumbing (did you know you can drink the water from the public fountains? I do, I did, and I also know why, as well as a little bit about the history of the water and where it comes from!).
The the monuments built, who was behind them, the (sometimes) monumental egos behind them, the scale of these monuments in relationship to other monuments past and present, existing and no longer existing!
The artists, who funded the artists, the relationships of the artists to thier students, rivals and mentors.
The Roman Catholic church, the history of the church , the relationship of the church to it's pagan roots, the relationship of the church to philosophers and philosophy.
Teresa an energetic, athletic advocate. And touring the Vatican can be somewhat of an athletic event! Everywhere there are groups of 30 or more poeple with little blue earphones in thier ears following a frowning, seriously stressed out guide carrying an attenna/ pole with a flag on it to be seen and heard far from the herd.
Ours was a small intimate group with an ernest guide determined to show us as much of Rome, and her mother church as possible in a short amount of time. There was eye contact. There were smiles. There was understanding. And always, there was Teresa.
Teresa:
...was our advocate. Holding our spot at exibits when the larger groups tried to push us through before there was understanding about what we would be seeing, and the best place to see it.
...can tell you not only what you are looking at, but where to stand to really see and appreciate the art, the artist and the order (history) in which the art was created.
...understands the creator, the created and the relationship of both to the world surrounding.
... lead the way on a very busy day at the Vatican.
...showed us the faces and locations the artists and images of thier mentors in many paintings.
Pointed out the art with eyes which would follow you down the hall.
I appreciate the time and effort you spent with us, Teresa! Hope to see you agian.