​Weathering the Storm with the WP#131

You would think perhaps everyday life would be boring at times and Rosa and have these discussions. I have spent a great deal of my life on the road and on the move and really, at this point, I am looking for those simple and special moments. This week was normal, but besides the unusual moments, we did a couple things out of the ordinary and I explored an archeological site which is under an apartment complex, that once, 70 years ago was a bank. What I can’t understand, is why you would build such a complex over an excavation site, but they did and the answer, money. Also, this museum, which is underground, has some beautiful mosaics and an electronic show that enhances what you see, and what it looked like in ancient times, or so they are thought to have been. Rosa was nice enough to buy me the ticket, although the whole program was in Italian, so the visuals were nice, but understanding was not complete. At least the guide spoke English, so I did ask questions afterwards. ​

The other events of the week besides the usual suspects were seeing Rigoletto just down the road at Caracalla from where we live which is a neighborhood called San Saba and so a short walk and no need to find parking. While I did know the opera, unlike last year when Rosa and I saw the Barber of Seville, the similarities in style were evident. Neither was a classic version of a opera other than the opera singers themselves and each had a modern twist. I did not know the story of Rigoletto, but it seemed like a cross between Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story. This version had cars from the 70’s and a campervan. The other thing is that while it was in Italian, which it should be, they had screens on either side that translated what was being sung in English and in Italian, I suppose for the novice of operas, me included. The issue, of course, is that I was focused on the translation to understand the opera, yet, trying to swivel to see the action at the same time. Really too much of a distraction to enjoy something with which I really was not familiar. In any case, it was an experience and now I have seen two operas in my life and not in the classic versions. ​

Yesterday, being Sunday, and amazingly enough Rosa was not guiding at all. Also, the library was closed, so we planned a day out of the city which was nice. Of course, we got a late start, but really, it did not matter, maybe by noon we were out the door and on our way to the region known as Abruzzo, which is right next door to Lazio, the region in which is located. It is also the land of the Apennines, the amazing mountain range and at each turn of the drive there from Rome to Aquila, were amazing. There are no places to stop, just so you know, for pictures like they have in the states to take pictures of the amazing vistas. The drive is about 1 ½ hours or two depending on who is driving. Of course, Rosa was, at least until we got out of Rome and stopped to get gas.

Then she said, let’s switch. So, we did, and for the first time, I drove her little Ford something. And it is a stick shift. Yes, I know how to drive one and yes, it has been a while. Remember my Fiat 500 experience from 2020, which was around Florence. In any case, it took a little getting used to, but it was fun, and I did the same going back until the end of the toll road, so she could take over in the city. Not ready for that chaos. L’Aquila is a very nice town, but unfortunately was destroyed in part by an earthquake several years ago and much is still being renovated and under much scaffolding, but the vistas of the mountains in the background were amazing. Also learned that the area is known for saffron, which is one of the most expensive spices/medicinals. I bought a gram anyway and some other local items like cheese. In the end, it was a very nice day out and very much needed. ​

I guess what this week was a balance of experiences and run of the mill things like doing laundry, going food shopping, and keeping up with the clients and the little nuances associated with my world here in Rome this summer. Not sure what this week will bring, but I am sure it will keep me on my toes. Something about a wedding next weekend or the following, no not ours, but one of Rosa’s friends. It also has cooled down a bit here in August, from the hellishly hot July, so thank you as always for your support of my crazy little world and my small business. As always, I look forward to your comments, questions, concerns and continuing the discourse through whichever means you read my posts!!!