Field of Flowers
is the Campo Di Fiori.
We live in a tourist trap.
I’m not complaining, per se– it’s a beautiful part of the city. We are so lucky to live near the Tiber; I walk across it every day and it’s always breathtaking. In a different way than Seattle; Seattle is strangely sobering as you walk through rivers of rain water and gutters (ok, maybe not so strangely sobering), but the Tiber, wet or dry, has a way of haunting you with thousands of histories…
I have found a cute boy named Francesco who works at an overpriced restaurant down in the campo. We will be married within the week, and he will spoon feed me gelato with lactaid in the mornings. Our ten children will be jumping joyously around us before self-administrating time-outs to write delicate haikus about our undying love. Ok, so I’ve only talked to him once. He’s a cutie.
but seriously, although Rome has its share of arrogant, self-righteous and narrow-minded men, the cliche romance of the city never ceases to haunt you. The histories are violent, sensual, gory; you can’t stop thinking about history when the cobblestones stubbing and wrestling with your toes are a constant reminder, when the fountains and saintly statues loom, gorgeous and mystical, where things are truly carved in a stone for all to remember… there are shocks of culture where you don’t expect it. The tiniest things expand to engulf your understanding of the norms, and it feels like nothing is the same… standing in line awkwardly juggling your valuables and dropping your dignity as the coins seriously don’t make sense or easily add up… you can feel the flush of ignorance seep into the confidence you used to have, and the comfort of your own country’s culture…
I’m so lucky to have had this opportunity; with the people I am with, in the place that I am. And it’s also made me more aware of what I miss about American and dear Seattle. Spongebob being one of them.
I should post more pictures. And I’m sorry I don’t update as often as I should. But my apartment doesn’t have internet, and it’s actually quite liberating… !
To my dear loved ones, who know who they are– I miss you!
And the following post is for class.
Gracious
