Via Merulana

Ok...so I'm a little behind in my posting. I keep this wonderful journal with me that I write in when I'm out but then I don't remember to type them into blog form. (Sidenote: I have formed a crippling addiction to Moleskine, starting with my city guide. It has only progressed from there. I swear by them and always always have at least one in my possession at all times. No even joking.) There have been a lot of fun little happenings from the past month but I'm afraid that if I try to work on those now, I'll just stay behind. Solution-if I think of some things later I'll add them in, but otherwise we'll just keep chugging along with what I have as of late.

From Oct 29th:

Went to my favorite street in Rome today. It's near where I live which is convenient. It's my favorite (so far) because of how beautiful it is. There are no decent shops along this street. I think it's because they know business would be terrible since no one in their right mind would leave to walk inside. Standing at the beginning, Via Merulana stretches out in a careful downhill slope before arching back up. I like the end of the first half and when the road starts creeping uphill the best. The entire walk is lined with trees. They have white trunks and branches. Always a favorite of mine. Green foliage is left where the arms meet each others. The tips are bare. I love this because it means you see more of the white. There are several churches. One has a large concrete staircase leading to its second story entrance. Another always has a small gathering of nuns in the front courtyard. The architecture and colors of the buildings are a beautiful sampling of classic Italy. They are lovely and grand and old. They are also mixed in with a couple of old ruins. It's Rome, what did you expect? All in all, it's a perfect mixture. The little details, like the smattering of graffiti on the street levels of the ruins and the small gardens spilling over from the windows on the higher floors and the same gypsies that prostrate themselves in front of you as you walk by, just push this street over the top.

Merulana is also dotted with several outdoor coffee shops. I make it a point to never go to the same one twice...until they run out, that is.

I finally pick out a cafe. They have red, green, and yellow thick table clothes covering the seating outside. I choose a green one because it's in the sun and green is my favorite. The warmth of the cappuccino combined with the sunshine wraps me up better than any blanket. It's perfect. I pull out my book and take a minute to enjoy the moment. I know I'll be here for a while today because I love it and I can. I also love the book I'm reading right now: The Last Lecture. Most people have heard of it or watched the lecture. It's one of those books you know you'll read more than once.

I had the strangest dream last night. It started after I got the girls up. It was the kind of dream that keeps going even though you wake up over and over. I dreamed that I had gone home for Christmas. One of my friends, I don't remember who, had done something, I have no idea what, and we were arrested. When we were finally able to sneak out a few days later I checked my emails from British Airways. I had missed my flight back to Italy. I tried everything but couldn't get a flight. I just kept thinking that I wouldn't get to finish what I needed to do here. I wouldn't get to learn everything I needed to learn.

I woke myself up crying. Seriously, bawling. I cannot explain my relief when I opened my eyes and I was in my room in Rome. I'm exactly where I want and need to be and I am so happy.