Il Violino Magico: Busker Riccardo Morsilli in Rome

My disclaimer for this post is that it happened while Astrid and I were on our Grand Tour of Italy in April.  However, because it was not technically part of the tour, I'm making a special post on its own...because, to be honest, it's my birthday.  :)

And because this was the most soulful "eternalized moment" of the entire trip for me!

You may remember that we had two days in Rome on the tour, first visiting "Classical Rome" and then, the second day, on our own away from the group to explore what we wanted. Since I had been to Rome twice before, I had a feel for what I wanted Astrid to see for her first time.

After standing in line for 45 minutes to visit St. Peter's Cathedral (for only 30 minutes inside), we went off towards the Castel SantÁngelo en route to Piazza Navona.

Those of you who've been to Rome will recognize the castle, from 123 AD.

(It was also in Angels and Demons, remember?)

Almost at mid-point in the above image, at the base of the castle, we saw him:

Riccardo Morsilli, from Il Violino Magico (Facebook page).

See the sign in his violin case (middle image)? It says (in both Italian and English):

"The secret of happiness is freedom; the secret of freedom is courage."

You can hear more on his Facebook page, of course, but he clearly knows how to play the violin!

So, why the stilettos (sometimes also red)!!

I had a back-n-forth with Riccardo once we returned home.
I can't say I know much more than that day in Rome, except that I did find out this:
He's a strong advocate against violence to women.

If we want to know anything more, he is simply willing to let us wonder.
And because of that mystery...with unanswered questions...he leaves us in tears.

I have seldom been more touched by anything,
which is why I gift this experience to me again, on this my birthday.

A second blessing....

Grand Tour of Italy: The Republic of San Marino

At the get-go, it's important to say this was NOT a scheduled stop on the Grand Tour of Italy, so don't get your hopes up if you're here because you wonder what you will see if you go on this tour.  This was a last-minute decision by our bus driver and guide after a long day of driving from Bari to Rimini, 563 km.  Since we were so close to San Marino and had made good time, they spontaneously decided to do it!

And are we ever so glad they did!

Talk about scale.  That wee dot is the size of the Republic of San Marino!

It's a country within Italy that's only 24 sq. miles with a population of ca. 33.5K.

And at only 20 km west of Rimini, it was a no-brainer.

So, yes, San Marino is a wee country within the country of Italy...

kinda like a wheel in the middle of a wheel!

In fact, "San Marino is one of the only three countries in the world to be completely surrounded 

by a single other country (the others being Vatican City, also surrounded by Italy, and Lesotho.)  

It is the third smallest country in Europe, with only Vatican City and Monaco being smaller.

It is also the fifth smallest country in the world."  (Wiki)

The City of San Marino is the capital, sitting on the country's highest point, Monte Titano,

with the Guaita Fortress at the top.  It's population is ca. 4K.

[Max Ryazanov photo]

That was our destination that late Sunday afternoon, where we had free time from 4-5:15p.m.

This was my very first shot once we got inside the walls of the capital city.

All I wanted was to look out across the countryside from which we had just slowly climbed to the top.

See what I mean?

I felt like a Peeping Tom. It was breath-taking.

We actually arrived as a festival of sorts was in its last act that Sunday afternoon.

The temptation was to linger and watch...but we only had an hour!

While others from the tour found places to celebrate Happy Hour (in a new place!),

Astrid and I walked the winding streets up and up and up...

and I mean up...

and still up...

till we reached the Guaita Fortress at the top, built in the 11th century.

There was an entrance fee to get into even the courtyard, but not to worry 

because we immediately turned around to return back to where we had started in time.

Our goal was simply to get to the top, the highest point in the country, at 2,457 ft above sea level.

Back where we started, the lift on the right took us down to our awaiting bus...

but not before we checked out the Church of St. Quirino from 1549 at the end of the street...

and then grabbed an Italian gelato to share. That was OUR Happy Hour.

Want some trivia?

San Marino is one of the wealthiest and most economically stable countries in the world,

"with one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe, no national debt and a budget surplus, 

and has the highest rate of car ownership, being the only country with more vehicles than people." 

(Wiki)

It shouldn't surprise you that the City of San Marino and Mount Titano

became part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008.