Oggi

Roma Gratis, due

Same as previous post...not one cent out of pocket!

Roma Gratis

In the days of the emperors the citizens of Rome were given free wheat. The games were free. Things have changed. 

For those on the very lowest economic level the free flour would be welcome. But, for each and every soul in the city there is one constant reminder of glory. All you have to do is wake up and go to the window and there it is, the most beautiful city ever built. Gratis.

These pictures do not go into a single building, pay a fee to anyone or in some cases even show another human. This is what each person has the opportunity to start his day with...beauty, glory and exuberance unsurpassed.

Roma, il Caput mundi.

Where else? What a spectacular start to each and every day of ones life. Oh, how I wish...

It's the same thing every day...Not!

Dreams

Baseball. My first love, passion and dream. Who didn't want to be Mickey Mantle? Disillusionment followed quickly, I could only hit one thing...the batter. Naturally, I was not aiming for him (them). What I did aim for, I was very consistent at, hitting the ball. I consistently missed it. I never weighed much then,but I never hit my weight. I loved the game, the game didn't even know my name. So, perhaps a bigger, better dream...airplanes. After all, it doesn't matter how fast you can run in a cockpit does it? Minor difficulty with the new dream, it came at the same time I discovered just how much school and I were incompatible. Certain math classes and so forth combined with a terrible cash flow ended that dream before I even had my eyes checked.

Reality is knocking on the door and I visit the recruiters. How did I end up in the Navy? I am an easy sell! Also they offered an earl out enlistment. If you joined prior to your 18th birthday you would either get out the day before your 21st birthday or the same period of time would be accrued as a year towards retirement. Easy sell. Dreams! I, that hates school, enlists and immediately am sent to...School. And then a second school, before I see a ship. Finally no school. Oops, you need to attend fire-fighting school before we go to sea. Go to sea? This tub is in drydock sitting on big blocks of wood. A full year and I am watching triple feature movies in gorgeous down town Norfolk. This isn't a dream! This is so much not a dream that I actually start taking different classes, drafting, GED college level. OK, I passed and time did too. Out!

Two days home and I meet my wife. Not a plan. Propinquity? New dream, simple, have a family and live happily ever after. Simple seldom works out either. But, there were moments, two daughters, some travel and a brand new camera for her. Which I ended up with later on. I don't really think that photography was a dream at any point, but it was always there from then on. So, for that time, what I have to show are two wonderful daughters (and grandchildren, naturally), a new skill (photography) and a slowly developing realization that I enjoy travel. Perhaps I am root-less, for I truly love seeing and experiencing all things possible. For pure joy nothing beats finding new friends in a new place. Sharing the common aspects of life and comparing the dissimilar makes each new visit special. Places count, but not as much as those you meet along the trek. Finding more people that matter, that is my dream. And they are everywhere I go, especially here.Too bad I didn't grasp it while I was in the Navy. After all, they were paying!

This is the by-product of too much something, I don't know what.  Two in the morning and I sit here hunting and pecking my way through this piece. Soon I will be out with Fabri, Tio'Tonio and all the others selling hats, among people. People from Japan, Russia, Germany...you name it. Of course those from my adopted home, Bella Roma, featured in the starring roles. I know what my dream is. My advice? Find yours too, as soon as you can!

So, it's still a holiday here...Boxer Day

Fittingly the weather is British, blustery, raw and dank. How I got blue skies in these photos is a miracle. OK, so I'm in the right place, go figure!

Let's start with, my phone doesn't work. Must have talked to long last night, or, TIM is down due to the weather. I'll know tomorrow when they reopen. I hope.

Sul L'angulo  (on the corner)

Trying the washing machine with same degree of wonder...just keep turning dials and something happens. Later I'll hang them to dry, that part is consistant.

See the one working on the alarm?

Also found the only thing missing from the apartment, an umbrella. Solved that issue at the museo and have returned to the apartment fairly dry. Think that is my last adventure for the day. Will add a few pictures and close out.

But, is it art?

On the street where I live.

Sometimes a Royal Flush is the best hand

Almost all days start off the same. From coffee to shower clogs and all the in between. They just don't all fall into place so well.

I grab my Santa bag and head off to see a couple of friends in the Campo before I meet Francesca and Graziano. As the piazza S Maria in Trastevere appears there are no Gypsies... no paper cups in my face and no urchins begging. A photo or two and I turn the corner to discover my error. They just lurking and waiting for me. I put on my "Swiss face" stern, unbending (just like Philipp) and scurry past. Oops its a tag team...no they are simply all out there waiting. Otherwise Rome is desolate. 

My friends aren't in the Campo, no one is. So I walk until I finally find an open bar, at last, coffee. The only other people are a young Japanese couple hunched over a map. Good luck to them, if they aren't Catholics they are in for a long day. Rome is closed for the day, or  posso two.

I finish my coffee and start back towards the Campo to find one place open with a couple of my friends setting up. Grab a couple of packages for them and off to really start the day.

Another reach into the bag for Francesca and it's off with the dogs to load the car and leave Mammera where Graziano's Mother, Livia, lives. The sunny day has left us in Rome. Ahead are clouds promising a rough trip. But that never occurs. And we arrive as the last dish enters the oven. The fifth member of the Royal Flush is Graziano's nephew Philippo. Only five and I still speak no Italian. Food is international and the cooking great. Hours of pleasure, eating and laughter, what could be better than that?

After a vain attempt to help clean up our mess we load up for the return. We stop at a beach that Graziano went to as a boy. Surrounded by dark clouds and high winds the dogs are in their element. Bricco (The Big One) cannot be unleashed, oh he'll return...but when? Amalia (The small one) is off and running. The sand is a lot softer on her paws and she loves it. After emptying my shoes of sand we reload and head south again.

Last stop, Tarquinia, a medieval hill town with fortified walls and watch towers. I continue to be astounded and happily surprised at every turn. Tomorrow? More? Today ? The Best!