Dream job? Maybe not, but ...

VATICAN CITY --- The one thing I am constantly amazed by as I travel through Italy, see the people go day to day, is how people can possibly live on whatever money they make. Consider it one of the real eye-openers I've gained in what, in addition to the fun of being here for the Olympics, is really the other big reason for my trip.
Education at school is one thing. Seeing it in action every day is quite another.
Meeting a person such as Ricardo, a 23-year-old man who works in the refreshment area located on the roof of St. Peter's Basilica, was definitely worth the 15 minutes or so I spent chatting with him and peppering him with questions about his life, his job and what he thinks of America and about Pope Benedict, who in a little more than a month will have completed his first year in this next capacity. Pope John Paul II died on April 2, 2005.
Ricardo actually started the conversation when I walked in and bought a cappuccino (1 Euro, very good cappuccino). He had just opened the refreshment area and I was the only customer. He asked where I was from.
"California," I replied.
Ricardo, like most Italians who hear that word, was instantly interested in keeping the conversation going. He is a native of Rome, but does speak passable English so it wasn't too difficult for us to converse.
He's been in this job for a little more than two years. Asked if he likes his job, he passed on that, but did say he knows it is at least fun "because (St. Peter's Basilica) is one of the most famous, most beautiful places in the world. I pass through the church every day. I was very excited when I first got the job because of where I'd be working."
He said he taught primary level (elementary) school before this job, where he serves drinks and snacks to hungry tourists from all over the world and has even served the likes of French President Jacques Chirac, has seen Tony Blair (Great Britian) and has also seen the late Pope John Paul II.
He also said he likes Pope Benedict. "I think he is the right person for now, for me. He might be a transitional pope because he is much older than when Pope John Paul II became pope. I hope (Benedict) is Pope for at least 10 more years."
But Ricardo is most happy to have a job that enables him to live life well enough-- he does still live with his parents -- but consider that the unemployment rate in Italy is quite high and it is easy to see why Ricardo is doing better than others.
Ricardo has also travelled pretty well for someone who is only 23 years old.
He rates Prague in the Czech Republic as his favorite European city not named Rome, but also likes London as well as places in Scotland, Ireland, Spain and France. There are a few cities he is not fond of, mainly because of their workaholic ways (here is a hint, one is north of Rome and the other is in Spain). He is also not a fan of another Italian city, located in the southern part of the country, saying it is "the most dangerous city."
Ricardo does like the United States. He also wonders if maybe someday a Pope with American roots can take up residence in Vatican City. While I think Italians here might balk at such a thing, consider this --- anything can happen.
Kind of like having a job that entails working in one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

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