A Magic Place in Italy

　　Last spring, I went sightseeing in Italy with my family. Milan, Venice, Pisa, Florence, Rome, and Naples -- all the cities I visited had some beautiful pieces of scenery, and I got quite excited especially when I saw old churches and ancient relics, for I major in western history at the university. However, what was the most unforgettable was neither the scenery nor buildings, but the people I saw at the Trevi Fountain.
　　Trevi Fountain is the largest Baroque fountain of Rome, and is one of the most famous tourist attractions. It is said that if you stand with your back facing toward the fountain and throw a coin over your head, you will be ensured a return to Rome.
　　It was at twilight when I visited there. Through the square in front of the fountain was very crowded, I could somehow reach the fountain to throw a coin, and enjoyed seeing its Baroque sculptures. After a while, when I turned my face toward the crowd to return, I first realized how various the people at the fountain were, and was astonished.
　　All kinds of people were there. White, Black, Asian, and racially-mixed. I could hear Italian, English, French, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and many more languages I couldn't tell. A rich tourist was sitting next to a shabby boy vending flowers. An old man wearing a cross and a woman who covered her face with some black clothes were pointing at the same sculpture. A young rock'n'roller and a neat businessman were standing side by side and eating the same ice cream. Without the fountain, no one could have told where he had been. And the most important thing was that everyone was laughing. It was very, very, very beautiful.
　　At that moment, I remembered John Lennon's "Imagine" -- imagine all the people sharing all the world. Of course I know it's just a daydream. When they return home, they may resume conflicting with each other. But I hope that some day the daydream will be real.

　　112-3 Masahiko ITO