​Weathering the Storm with the WP#191

It is Tuesday night here in Rome and of course, with the time difference between Rome and all the time zones in the US from eastern to Hawaiian – Time, it is still early, and any results of the election are far from determined, especially on the west coast and the Pacific time zone states as polls just opened, I believe. Being an expat now, in process anyway, but also still also a US citizen, I did do my absentee ballot and trusting the system, given I spent 4 Euros and sent it almost a month ago using my still valid US address, I expect my vote was received and will count, again, trusting the system. I simply mention this as I normally write my blog on Wednesday morning, well before everyone, or most everyone wakes up in America. ​

Am I concerned about the outcome. If I am a red-blooded American citizen, yes, I am, but will my life change significantly whether Harris or Trump prevail. I really don’t think so, as I have taken up, or at least in the process of taking permanent residency here in Italy. It is not to escape a doomsday scenario, it is not because I don’t believe in America, and what it is supposed to stand for and not because of the option of coming to Italy to deal with the Italian bureaucracy was any easier than back in the states; it is not. I am here because I fell in love with an Italian almost 5 years ago and now essentially settled into life here in our little condo, not complete yet, but very livable at this point, and work a few hours each week teaching English in a school here in Rome and getting into the swing of things there. ​

My personal life is here, don’t get me wrong and not in the states, and don’t freak out, I am not cutting it out of my life, my friends, colleagues and okay, some family. My livelihood depends on its peaceful existence, and transition come January 2025, at least for the foreseeable future as the travel planning is still my passion and will be for a while. If I had to set a goal of how long, getting to the 25th year of the Wandering Puffin would be nice and I just started my 18th year in business through all the trials and tribulations of the crazy industry of which I have been a part for more than a quarter century, but seeing through to my 25th year as the WP, assuming my health and happiness remain intact for the most part, aches and pains aside, I expect to be doing for a while longer and look forward to continuing to plan and arrange and assist in sharing this amazing world on which we exist. I do know that several my clients are waiting for the result of the election to decide if travel is in their future, so I aware of this possibility of a downturn, or it could be an upturn. Let’s hope for the latter. ​

The other reason I am writing this somewhat chilly Rome evening here on November 5, 2024, is that I will be on a train north tomorrow with Rosa for a concerto, sorry concert. Actually, I am not sorry. Concerto is the word for concert in Italiano and not just concert and not just anywhere, but a place in Italy, yes Rosa has been there, apparently when she and her sisters were kids, so a while ago, with momma, so it has been a while, but I have not been. We are taking the train from Rome to Bolzano which is in the heart of the Dolomites, and I suspect it will be chilly there. It did say 50 degrees Fahrenheit (19 degrees Celsius), but someone like me, even in the evening when it drops to the 40’s (sorry under 10 degrees, give or take) at night, I will be layered for the short time outside. I am from the northern tier of states, so I should be fine. Rosa will be cold; I know my wife well. Oh, and who are we seeing, you ask? Glad you asked, as I am going to tell you. He is a Canadian, just turned 65 yesterday or today, and I have actually seen him twice in the states many, many years ago, but Rosa has never seen him, and she knows more of his songs than when we went to see Toto in Perugia. Of course, I also know most of his hits, Heaven, Summer of 69, Cuts Like a Knife. Any guesses. Okay, fine, it is……. Bryan Adams, but you knew that. ​

In any case, I am very excited to not only hear some good music but see some amazing landscapes in the Dolomites. If we have time we will do the cable car up for a nice view and some good Tyrolean food, see the cathedral, a museum and simply stroll the medieval streets, so it is a whirlwind trip as we are taking a later train back on Thursday, so I hope to share some good pictures of this region of Italy, a place I have not been to, but seen, the Dolomites, from a distance. The travel time each way on the high-speed train is 5 hours each way, give or take, so it is a long train ride and normally, I would write my blog on the train, but lately, the Wi-Fi has not been consistent on the trains when I have traveled, so I did not want to take a chance I could not get it written to be posted and I did not want to take a chance or get up so extremely early as I am going to get up early enough for our 8:50 am train northbound. I also figured between now and my tomorrow morning things would not have changed much. Yes, I know there is that event called the presidential election, and I did my civic duty, but I am not going to lose sleep over it, and I hope others do not. ​

My only hope for America is that as a country and the people within, can be civil to each other and allow the process to continue unhindered and whatever the result, perhaps a decision will be made by the time I wake up, or maybe they will still be counting ballots, who knows, given how close this race has been, the transition will be peaceful, and people can get back to living their lives. Admittedly, we have not been watching any TV. We don’t even own one yet. Other things like pots and pans, towels, linens, a bed, chairs, a table, maybe two, silverware are more important, so other than the occasional annoyance of the internet popping in and sometimes going down the rabbit hole, I am glad I have not been on the front lines of that American election process and for the record, I do believe that the Electoral College needs to go arrivederci. It is time for a straight up, popular vote. That is how other democracies do it. Of course, in the current political climate, I don’t think something from the 18th century will be removed any time soon, but I had to say my peace. Oh, and yes, we will eventually get a TV, maybe two, one for the living/dining room, and perhaps a very small one for the cucina, again not a priority. ​

So here is to a peaceful transition of power as it has been most election years of our 248-year-old democracy, and I will get a good night’s sleep knowing that the woman I truly love is right there with me. We have our own lives to live and move forward together, as our home also comes together, and we can create wonderful memories. The condo is now officially ours, (Rosa’s really), as momma put it in her name, but by marriage, I guess, under the Italian laws, I am a homeowner, sort of, kind of. Anyway, I feel that I am home, can put things on the walls, hammer a nail, if necessary and create memories here together with Rosa and for me, election or no election, bureaucracy, or no bureaucracy, either side of the pond, I can come home after being out, shut the door and leave the outside world where it belongs, outside. 
So, as always, we appreciate your support of our crazy little world here in Rome where things seem to be stabilizing in some ways and others, well the status quo, which may or may not be a good thing. Your comments, thoughts, questions, and anything relevant to travel, business and life in general are always appreciated and we are keeping our little micro democracy alive and well here doing what we both do best, enjoying life and trying to minimize the stresses. Thank you. Rosa and Jamie (oops, I mean the Wandering Puffin)