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Rome Sweet Home
May. 8th, 2007 11:12 amWow, it's good to be back.
It's kind of strange to be back in bilingual territory after being pretty
much monolingual Italian (by which I mean stammering and asking people to
repeat themselves) for the last six or seven weeks. Having English as the
default language both in the hostel and in much of the city feels very
strange. On the other hand, it's a huge compliment that lately, when I
ask a question in Italian, the answer comes back in Italian. Previously I
was usually answered in English - apparently I'm decent enough to not seem
like too much of an idiot.
This morning I was reminded how different Rome is from northern Italy,
where I've spent the last two months. In the north, busking, you're
generally either OK or not OK. But this morning I was asked to leave a
pitch that I've used, with no problems, for six weeks. In Rome nobody
knows the rules, so it tends to be in the mind of the nearest cop. My
response? I went to a pitch I've been asked to leave in the past and
played, with no problems, for an hour.
I'm always surprised, upon returning to Rome, how much I love this city.
It's just an absolutely amazing place. A church that would be the
highlight of any other city - even elsewhere in Italy - is a third rate
attraction down a back alley here. The ancient Roman legacy is
mind-boggling, of course, but it bears repeating. Walking through the
streets is an experience unlike any other, simply because of the layers of
history that surround you.
And walk I have. After my first day here I woke up very sore, so I walked
some more. It's no wonder that I always lose weight here. I just hiked
about four miles across the city to the one gelateria (ice cream shop) in
Italy where I've been able to find fudge marble (lagalosa) gelato. It's a
flavor that always reminds me of my grandfather's house when I was a kid -
they always had fudge marble ice cream for some reason.
I find it hard to believe I only have a few days left. It's been an
amazing time, and I'm already starting to get excited over the next trip
this summer!
It's kind of strange to be back in bilingual territory after being pretty
much monolingual Italian (by which I mean stammering and asking people to
repeat themselves) for the last six or seven weeks. Having English as the
default language both in the hostel and in much of the city feels very
strange. On the other hand, it's a huge compliment that lately, when I
ask a question in Italian, the answer comes back in Italian. Previously I
was usually answered in English - apparently I'm decent enough to not seem
like too much of an idiot.
This morning I was reminded how different Rome is from northern Italy,
where I've spent the last two months. In the north, busking, you're
generally either OK or not OK. But this morning I was asked to leave a
pitch that I've used, with no problems, for six weeks. In Rome nobody
knows the rules, so it tends to be in the mind of the nearest cop. My
response? I went to a pitch I've been asked to leave in the past and
played, with no problems, for an hour.
I'm always surprised, upon returning to Rome, how much I love this city.
It's just an absolutely amazing place. A church that would be the
highlight of any other city - even elsewhere in Italy - is a third rate
attraction down a back alley here. The ancient Roman legacy is
mind-boggling, of course, but it bears repeating. Walking through the
streets is an experience unlike any other, simply because of the layers of
history that surround you.
And walk I have. After my first day here I woke up very sore, so I walked
some more. It's no wonder that I always lose weight here. I just hiked
about four miles across the city to the one gelateria (ice cream shop) in
Italy where I've been able to find fudge marble (lagalosa) gelato. It's a
flavor that always reminds me of my grandfather's house when I was a kid -
they always had fudge marble ice cream for some reason.
I find it hard to believe I only have a few days left. It's been an
amazing time, and I'm already starting to get excited over the next trip
this summer!
