On my fourth day in Rome I thought it might be a good idea to visit the National Library so I could begin working on my research project. As the library was a few miles away from my apartment in Trastevere, I was looking forward to using Rome's underground Metro for the first time. Waiting on the platform, I was stricken with glee when I saw that it was a painted train that came whizzing out of the tunnel. Immediately, I had flashback to Brooklyn, during the summer of 1987. I was six, and I was staying with my grandma Rosa at her apartment in Williamsburg for two months. Every day we had different adventure, and every day we rode the subway. I visit New York fairly often as an adult, and it's pretty rare to see a painted train now, but when I was a kid, they were endemic. And for six year old Meggie, painted trains were like giant pieces of candy that people used for travel. It was as if they had escaped out of Toontown or something. I loved just the sight of them. And to see one while I was standing on the platform at the subway station in Rome, it was kind of like I had stepped into a time portal back to Brooklyn in the 80s. It was awesome.
Italy has such amazing street art, I really wish that I had taken more pictures of all the cool walls and posters and murals and trains that I saw while I was there. They all just offer such a colorful and engaging juxtaposition when set against the backdrop of Italy's architectural heritage.
Here are some pictures I took of some of the painted trains I saw:
Like I said, I wish I took more.
Megan
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