Back

Steepest decent | Day 94 of my 2023 Journal

Cecilie Conrad·Apr 4, 2023

We are in Rome over Easter to spend time with my sister's family. It is a perfect way to maintain strong family bonds. My sister very often allocates her vacations to spend with us, so we accumulate a lot of wonderful adventures together and get to see each other relatively frequently in the context of the nomad lifestyle of my core family.

Easter in Rome is not optimal for peace and quiet. We knew this, and it is okay. We spend a lot of time with people who are on vacation. This means more restaurants, landmarks, ice cream, and mass tourism than we would have chosen on our own. It is all okay. The priority is always to thrive, and to do so; we need our family relations and our friendships to blossom. We cherish friends and family coming and meeting us, and spending their valuable vacations with our family.

On our second day in Rome, firstly we walked to the Spanish Stairs. We took the photos, walked to the top, read the Wiki page, and visited the church.

On the way, we enjoyed a talented violinist in the street and a sculpture that was hard to understand but on our Rome list.

Then we walked to the Trevi Fountain, only to enjoy the concentration of tourists increasing. The fountain is beautiful. Worth it. But it felt crazy.

At this point, my brother-in-law inserted the concept of steepest descent, as we decided to walk the steepest descent of tourist concentration.

Lovely pause at an almost empty piazza did some parkour, and talked in the sun. Next up is gelato, the Colosseum, and Forum Romano.

Epic Rome in all of its former glory, shining through what is still standing.

Walking, talking, listening to street music, taking pictures, and playing games.

Then the rain came, we had coffee and got wet walking back.

Sometimes I feel like a sheep when in big crowds of tourists. Yet at the same time, I am happy for all the other people who get to visit epic places and enjoy the cultural history or the wonders of nature as long as I can find the steepest decent fast when I need it.

steepest-decen3

Love and light

Cecilie-Underskrift-300x133

Cecilie Conrad

# 94 of my 2023 writing challenge - Read them all here

Unschooling and Parent consulting, conversations, blogposts, and podcasts on family life and learning

Hi, I'm Cecilie Conrad. I'm a trained psychologist, mother of four, radical unschooler and full-time traveller. I have lived with unschooling for over a decade and help other families find their own path – whether it is about homeschooling, unschooling, or the bigger question of how you want to live as a family.

I offer guidance, conversations and talks. I call my work grandmothering – not coaching in the traditional sense, but presence, professional insight and concrete help navigating motherhood and finding your way home to your own values.

Am I the right person to help you? You can book a free discovery call, and we'll talk and figure it out.

Listen to my podcasts

I share my knowledge and curiosity about family life and learning in my two podcasts.

Da Ladies - cover
self-directed-podcast

Read my latest blogposts

Join us as we navigate the emotional highs and lows of saying goodbye on our nomadic journey. From making lifelong friends to exploring Santiago, lea…Read more
After the emotional whirlwind of the Camino, my friends and I sought solace in nature. Our hike led us to a mountaintop where we uncovered ancient st…Read more
After my transformative journey on the Camino, I found moments of profound peace and clarity. From savoring the ripest Spanish mangoes to being capti…Read more
On the final day of our Camino Frances journey, emotions ran deep as we approached Santiago. Amidst the beauty of moss-covered trees and silent fores…Read more
On Day 16 of Camino Frances, we journeyed from Arzua, embracing introspective nights and the beauty around us. Amid challenges and reflections, we le…Read more
Day fifteen on the Camino Frances was a day of introspection and rejuvenation. From basking in the sun on a balcony to pondering life's deeper questi…Read more
On the fourteenth day of Camino Frances, we embraced the beauty of nature, tackled challenging inclines, and found joy in the unexpected. Join us as …Read more
We trekked to Melide, reminiscing about a past visit and a life-saving cream for burns. Discover our walk under changing weather, the unforgettable d…Read more
From a low-vibe start in a village to being awed by sunrises and sunsets, a day filled with reflections on beauty, existence, and camaraderie. Markin…Read more