A day in Rome

Our arrival in Rome was anything but auspicious.  A two hour wait in a queue to get through immigration.  There was no queuing system just a squash of people.  Then no stamp or check on our passports.  They did not even open my passport to check the photo!

Then catching the train and following some obscure directions to our apartment to meet 'Marco'.  Marco wanted to talk and talk, and it was useful talk; but we were jet lagged and tired.

I had a very early dinner (by Rome standards) and then crashed.

Sunday woke up early and went for a walk as the sun came up.  The area we are in - Testaccio - has no modern buildings.  Just wonderful architecture probably from the late 1800s early 1900s.  As well it is alongside one of the seven hills of Roma and next to the Tiber river.  The area is not touristy but is residential. It is close to the many tourist areas and has a wonderful array of authentic restaurants and shops.

Stella at Colesseo

Nothing open till about 8 when I had my first Italian coffee and pastry.  This is the way every Italian starts there day!  Then a pleasant, though slightly chilly walk, to the Colosseum.  Impressive ruins and not to many tourists.  More impressive was the ruins opposite which will be tomorrows agenda.  Lots of photos and many touts selling camera sticks for taking 'selfies'.

Colesseo

Then negotiated the Roman subway.  Easy!  But some of the trains were absolutely covered in graffiti with not a square cm not written on.  At first look they appeared moving pieces of art.  A nice walk around Republica and another coffee and pastry for 'second breakfast'.


Then another subway journey to the Vatican.  Managed to foil someone pick pocketing me.   My wallet is attached by chain to my trousers so when I felt the hand in my pocket they could not get the wallet.  I glared at the perpetrator and pushed him into a corner.  There were three guys working together as the others held the door open for the 'escape'.  Pleased I stopped them but not sure if I could of done more.

Stella's audience with the Pope

Thousands to see the man

Thousands of people walking down the road.  Into St Peter's square which is packed with people.  Probably 10 thousand people.  Then the man himself is at a window in the Apostlic Palace.

The Pope at the open window top right.

The crowd goes berserk!  So we hear a papal statement.  I understood two words 'Buongiorno' and "Arrivederci'.  But it must have been important as everyone cheered.  Don't know if we got the blessing!!  Lot of Argentinian flags.

Cute Swiss guards

Tried to get in to St Peter's church but too crowded so took some photos of the Swiss guards in their cute uniforms.  A few police about but very little security considering the risk.

The subway journey back was amazing.  Thousands squashed into the train; a most remarkable journey could hardly breathe let alone move.

Primo

Time for an authentic Sunday lunch.

Primo for me was spaghetti with bacon, artichokes and leek followed by pork and potatoes for secondi.

Secondi

Stella had tagliatelle with mushrooms followed by a rocket and Parmesan salad.  But she did have a some of my delicious pork.
I finished with a wonderful espresso while Stella indulged on tiramasu.
All washed down with a large amount of the house red wine.  For a house wine it was remarkable quality.

Then as fitting after an Italian Sunday lunch a little lie down.  Late dinner simply pizza and more red wine (Brunello di Montalcino)

Day one finished!

Moral Leadership

Most readers of this blog are aware of the reason for my being back in New Zealand.  One of the real positives (there are a few) is to be aware of the way that one is treated by others.

In the leadership roles that I have had I have always considered carefully the morality of the role.  What is my role about in considering the way I act towards others and how I use resources to make people's lives better?

I have always drifted towards supporting those who have been marginalised by society.  The poor, indigenous peoples, gay students, those with unfortunate lives for no reason of their own.  I have never really been in that position in society but I have always had the view that those marginalised people need more.

Many people influenced my development but two people stand out.

• Lester Levy - a leadership guru who inspired (and supported) me to always do what you thought was right.  To stand up even when you know you are going to get chopped down.
• Greg Ellis - a business consultant who did not talk but did.  Greg just helped wherever and whenever he could and so many wonderful ideas flow from him.

I do not see myself in political alignment with either of these guys - they are much to 'right' for me; but they have both been inspirational and wonderfully supportive to me.  (Though these left/right terms don't really make sense.  We should just judge people's attributes)

In Bangladesh I met a third person who has been inspirational and supportive to me.  With Stella's illness (see last posting) I am for the first time in my life in a vulnerable and risky position (especially regarding employment and finances).  My principal in Bangladesh, Craig Salmon, has stood up as would be expected of an outstanding leader, and has shown incredible support well beyond anything that I expected.

My sadness about New Zealand politics is that I do not see inspiring moral leadership that has been shown by these three people I have mentioned.  Throughout history we have had wonderful leaders on both sides of the political fence in New Zealand but now it all seems to be about political expediency and self-interest and never mind the morals.

Is this leadership in the 21st Century?