I woke up to the sound of the alarm blaring—eyes heavy and mouth dry from the night before. I’d been to Pipero for an 8-course tasting menu and wine pairing—a heck of a way to spend my last night being 32 but now my alarm was (rudely) shouting at me that it was time to get up.
You see, I had these great plans to get up early, go to the Trevi Fountain and spend some time there before the crowds arrived. But here’s the thing, a full belly, lots of wine and minimal sleep are not a great combination. So instead, I hit snooze on my alarm. And then I hit it again. And then, as the sound of the streets of Rome began to come to life, I decided I probably should too, so I peeled myself away from the bed, showered and covered up the evidence of a sleepless night with make-up before setting off for the Trevi Fountain.
If you’re wondering why I chose the Trevi Fountain as the place I wanted to celebrate. It’s because the run-up to my birthday this year felt different. I had no idea what I wanted to do, or how I wanted to mark the occasion. Last year I threw a party (my first one since my 21st birthday) and it was incredible to spend it surrounded by so many of the special people in my life. But this year, I didn’t want a song and dance. I wanted something peaceful. I didn’t know what that was until I was surprised with a trip to Rome, and then everything became clear. This year I wanted to celebrate my birthday by swapping candles for coins and making my birthday wish at the Trevi Fountain.
The word “Trevi” comes from the Latin word “trivium,” meaning “intersection of three roads” and it got its name as it stands at the endpoint of the Aqua Virgo aqueduct, in the centre of Via De’ Crocicchia, Via Poli and Via Delle Muratte. So that’s exactly where I ventured to. I was very fortunate to be staying close by at the Umiltà 36 hotel so it was just a short stroll away—and as I approached the fountain, there were probably 60 people already there. Numerous faces from across the world who had all travelled to be in that location, at that moment. I won’t lie, large crowds bother me because I hate being bumped into. But in the same breath that I use to moan, I also have an appreciation for them, because there’ssomething so incredibly beautiful about sharing a moment with strangers for a brief moment. People who are all interested in the same thing and have come from different backgrounds, and places—all with different stories to see it too.
It would have been smart to immediately snap a photo whilst the crowds were minimal. Instead, I sat down on a step directly opposite and just took it all in. Watching as the water moved throughout the fountain, the crowds readjusting around it like ornaments.
The Trevi Fountain is a stunning example of Baroque architecture and was designed by Nicola Salvi before being built in 19 BC. It took over 30 years to construct, with Giuseppe Pannini completing the work after Salvi’s death, and the design features Oceanus and his entourage, with the god of the sea standing as the central sculpture surrounded by tritons, sea horses, and other mythological creatures that look a little bit like they’ve taken a little something something.
There are a lot of details on the fountain to notice. So I did. My eyes scanned the curves and edges behind the crowds. I watched as family members, friends, couples and solo travellers all stopped to snap a selfie and take it all in. I watched as a man, in his own little world, stood directly in front of me having the world’s loudest conversation on the phone, before realising I was sitting there, then telling the person on the other end that he’d call them back later and then sat down to the left of me, silently, and just watched the fountain. I watched as an elderly couple joined us on the right. No words were exchanged, just a shared moment. A moment when people of all ages admired the fountain that had stood for so long.
After 20-30 minutes, I stood up (because there’s only so long you can sit on a cold stone step before your butt goes numb) and made my way to make my wish. I stood and thought about all the things I want to achieve over the next year, and expressed gratitude for all the things I have done so far.
Then I threw my coin into the fountain in the city I am eternally in love with and left to traipse around aimlessly, enabling Rome to do that thing that only Rome can do: reveal itself on its own terms.
