The Apia Antica

According to legend, it was on the Apia (one of the major roads leading out of Rome) that Peter saw a vision from God to turn around and return to Rome. Shortly after, he was imprisoned and then martyred. There is, of course, no concrete evidence that he was ever even in Rome to begin with, but this is one of many stories that hangs around this ancient road like a fog.

We (just assume that "we" means Miranda and I) took a walk down this road after our trip to the Catacombes. Darkness had already fallen and there were few cars around. We noticed some open gates when we stopped to get pictures of some ruins. Being on vacation, and feeling more brave than usual, we decided to risk attack dogs and search lights for a peak at some of the restored villas. They were amazing. Villas from the time of Christ had been restored (from the look of them, only the insides) with orchards and gardens replanted on their grounds. It was like stepping back in time. We spent most of the time on tip toe and speaking in low whispers. This was less to avoid being spotted and more because it felt like if he spoke to loudly or trod to briskly upon these ancient stones, then the spell would be broken and our surroundings would return to bleak high rises and cracked sidewalks littered with gum.

So, we walked and whispered. But every dream must come to an end and ours came in the form of a black cat. While walking down one particularly dark and ominous entry, we heard fercious dogs barking at the end furthest from us. Assuming they were chained, Miranda walked ahead telling me, "oh, its okay. Come on....". I moved slowly and replied to here remark absently by commenting on something walking toward us. She had fled before I had a chance to say the word "cat" and I followed because I thought she knew something that I didnt. We burst onto the street heaving and blowing as I choked out the words "it...was...a...cat...". Peels of laughter erupted as the unfortunate feline rubbed against my leg and purred for attention. Needless to say, we never got a clear look at the villa down that street.