Searching for Shade on the Spanish Steps

Searching for Shade on the Spanish Steps

“Where’s Hannah?” asks an American tour group, gathered in the shade on the steps, looking for both Hannah and relief from the sun. The weather is the same as it has been all week in Rome—steadily at 29 degrees Celsius and rising—with the sun’s rays harshly hitting the tops of tourists’ heads at the Spanish Steps. Those who anticipated this brought brightly colored umbrellas or wore floppy straw hats that concealed their faces. The hum of bustli…