Weathering the Storm with the WP#75

Perhaps, this is another milestone post, perhaps not, number 75 and being here in Rome to date, has been everything I could have imagined. I have not missed being in America, and getting used to the everyday vibe, that is this special place. While I was here in Rome last June for a total of 10 nights and then returned in November for a weeklong stay, I have now “lived” here for that first week plus, shopped, explored, met people, and simply tried to become a part of the fabric that is Rome and live like the Romans do. Of course, Rosa would disagree to a point, as I still shop for an army, knowing that I can break up the purchase into portions and freeze items, which is not the Roman or Italian or for that matter, the European way, but it has its advantages in finding a good price on food, buying it, and then having the opportunity to experience different meals with it. I have, however, most days, and even today, gone to the farmer’s markets, and purchased something here and something there. I enjoy the mingling and it helps in learning the language. 

The other thing that I am doing again is pounding the pavement every day, taking the metro which is right around the corner and hopping on busses to get where I need to go, or simply explore the city. Every day it seems, I find a new neighborhood to explore or simply wander and I feel very comfortable here, listening to the Italian, the conversation and interacting with the locals. That was my intent when I got here and after a week plus, I am finding a routine, but I never want it to be routine. Some days I am walking more, Saturday, about 6 miles (10 km) and today only about 5 miles (9 km), but I feel alive in this place. I also can report, and while, I was told by my last doctor, that I could stop the meds, which I did for a while for the blood pressure and the cholesterol, the everyday stresses of life back in the states kept me checking the blood pressure each day, so the prescription I had was there, in case I needed it. As it turns out and I arrived here for the summer, some 10 days ago now, I have not taken the prescription meds at all. Do I check my blood pressure with the cuff every day? Yes, I do and each day now, it has been right where it should be, hovering around 120/80. Sorry, I don’t know it in the metric system yet. 

Eating healthier again, walking every day is how I lost all that weight when I started my lifestyle change journey and while I was never off the wagon, there were slips here and there, but nothing to cause concern. Perhaps, I had lost too much weight to be healthy and even Rosa said that 89 kilos (191 pounds) was too much, so some was put back on. Not much and already the feeling I have, getting out everyday in my new, for the short-term life is positive. I love being here and I am very much still connected to the world. I can conduct my business and have everything at my fingertips and share my experiences without difficulty, especially now that I have the high-speed internet connected in the apartment. 
This is also a test of my relationship with Rosa and it too, grows stronger every day. She has her responsibilities for her guiding and for her momma and that is very important. For me, I am making contacts and connections here as I do see myself residing here in the long term, so I am getting my bearings, learning the ropes and with Rosa and I together each day, living as a couple, for the most part in the apartment we have here, it is very much a special time for me, no for us!!! As she says, “how’s possible?”, and I tell her I don’t know. We met almost 2 ½ years ago, she as my guide with a small group of people, a Norwegian couple and a Polish art student who was studying in Rome at the time, maybe still is, on that warm February 19th day back in 2020, before all the world shut down and I had to get off the continent before I would be stuck here as the world struggled to figure out what was going on. But I did get have one more chance to see her, 3 days later, after our first meeting, strictly business of course, but I knew then and there, she was the one for me. So, “how’s possible”, as we enjoy each other’s company, wake up with each other, enjoy simple things like having breakfast together, cooking meals together, holding hands and strolling around the city together, seeing our first movie together (Yes, we had our first date night last Wednesday and had pizza and movie together). Which movie you ask, “Elvis” and it was in English and had Italian subtitles. For me, no matter what we do, it is special and the simpler it is, the better it is as I have tried very hard to simplify my life. How’s possible you ask. The stars only know, and I am not going to question why!!!
Until next week and the continual sharing of pictures of my experiences here from this American in Rome and beyond, as always, I am interested in your thoughts, comments, questions and adding to the discourse is always appreciated be in on the site itself or on Facebook, Twitter or wherever you read this. Thank you for your support of my crazy little world and of my small business. It is truly appreciated!!!