Just returned from 6 days in Rome. Gave a paper at a conference Building Rome Aeternae. It was wonderful. Many, many people just like me, passionate about their studies and their fields of expertise: mortars and mortar inclusions (obviously not my expertise but the two are closely related). It was wonderful. Met some of the nicest people ever and got some great ideas.
Oh, and it was in Rome for St. Peter's sake! Who can complain? I walked around Rome on Sunday for 14 hours. Even lost 20 euros (or was pick pocketed?). Did I mind? I just assumed one of the many homeless people had picked it up and was getting a good meal (or buzz on). Whichever.
As I walked along the roads with their large meticulously placed stones, I thought to myself, someone else has walked here...our beheaded and handless friend Cicero or possibly any of the number of military soldiers, citizens, visitors and politicians who frequented the Imperial forum.
I was humbled and reminded why I love what I do. We do love what we do, n'est pas?
Will post pictures soon. The Crypta Balbi was so lovely with all of its piled naked ceramics, spooning one anothers forms like lovers who still beg for...sorry.
No questions about it - archaeology is always one of the following: food, sex or alcohol. Somewhere, in between, we find time to publish.
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Food, sex, and booze. We shouldn't talk about it -- other people will be after our jobs if they knew how much fun this is.
Ah, Roma.
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