san carlo al corso
otherwise titled: things to do when you’re stuck yet again along via del corso/via condotti
one of the demerits of being an expat in rome is that when friends do come visit, all they want to go to are the done-to-death attraction sites like st peter’s cathedral, colosseum and well, shopping along via condotti (for the ladies hankering after luxury brands).
its kind sad, because try as I may to justify in my mind that my friend’s would love a side trip to tivoli, or to explore ostia, or even to venture into seedy san lorenzo for a drink or two, i have to reluctantly agree that well, the done-to-death attractions are worth at least one visit over these other attractions. well, with the exception of via condotti.
mind you, i have an intense dislike for the spanish steps and via condotti, simply because it reeks of utter consumerism and shows the extent of touristic decay (woah i just invented a new term).
for one, i have utterly no clue of what is the allure of sitting on the steps leading to Piazza Spagna besides the fact that the steps are masterfully designed in Baroque style.
for another, the streets of via condotti really do kinda sicken me at times, especially when I see perfectly coiffed, haughty looking young couples tottering around with tons of shopping bags containing LV, Gucci, Ferragamo goods and the likes. i mean, yes, there’s the whole notion that its an utter waste of money (but i can’t comment lest i slap myself with my prada purchase), but what saddens me the most is that i get the sense that alot of the tourists (eh-hem.. from a certain country) coming here to buy these goods are buying it not for the style, or for the assurance of long lasting quality, but just to make a statement and stamp it all over their bodies how rich they are.
ah well, anyways, for the hapless husbands, boyfriends and haha hapless expat that have to accompany people around via condotti and spend an inordinate amount of time there, one might be able to find respite at san carlo al corso, a beautifully decorated church along via del corso, closeby to via condotti.
its not a famous church – but it nevertheless is beautiful, and to be honest, were the church (or any other lesser known churches in rome) in any other city besides rome, it would be hailed as a masterpiece and thronged with tourists. that’s how steeped in art and architectural wonder rome is.
one thing i love about churches is how one can completely escape the din and bustle of the streets outside and find cool and calm respite within. everyone knows to be quiet and reverent within churches, creating the sense of peace that in essence really is how the church should function as at times. inside the church, you can contemplate on life matters whilst sitting at the pews and be guaranteed not to be bothered by peddlers and gypsies alike. at the lesser known churches like san carlo al corso, time literally stops because of the sparse amount of visitors, and you feel less harassed by tourist groups and so on.
then it’s off to the next bargain/pizza/monument again! =)
the endangered sartorialist 