Thoughts on Travel

An article from the New York Times.

Me in a nutshell?

Languages, Parks, and Vonnegut

Amazing experience last night sitting at Pizzeria da Baffetto with a motley crew of Europeans.
3 French people, 1 German, 1 Italian, and 2 Americans

We met outside in line, and were invited to have dinner with them...Nevio was the ring leader, speaking English, Italian and French, translating back and forth.

I was ecstatic to practice my French and hear about life in Europe.

Also, went to my new favorite Roman place, and found a fountain, which I now think is my favorite fountain in the world. On our way, we got lost, and it started to rain. We were on a road with no sidewalks, and had to hug the walls so that cars wouldn't run as over. We walked for what seemed like forever, and just as we lost hope, we found an opening. It was like seeing the gates of heaven. Villa Doria Pamphili was amazing. The combination of cool weather, the sun setting, and lush green of the park made it a perfect place. I love parks.

As for today, we went to Castiglione del Lago...absolutely gorgeous. Lake Trasimeno was a giant dish of clear blue, warm bath water. Finally some clouds as we traveled through Umbria...the countryside looked so much greener because of it.

Making my way through Schlachthof-funf. Almost done, but really enjoying it.

"Billy Pilgrim says that the Universe does not look like a lot of bright little dots to the cretures from Tralfamadore. The creatures can see where each star has been and where it is going, so that the heavens are filled with rarefied, luminous spaghetti. And Tralfamadorians don't see human beings as two-legged creatures, either. They see them as great millepedes--'with babies' legs at one end and old people's legs at the other,' says Billy Pilgrim."

acknowledgements

to the musicians who have kept me sane this summer
(also a reminder for me to buy their music when I get the chance)

1. m.ward
2. scatteredtrees
3. rufus wainwright
4. the slip
5. camera obscura
6. dj mother hubbard
7. girltalk
8. ben kweller

also, thank you, rihanna, for "umbrella"

the Med in my veins

Owl eyes

My own eyes are no more than scouts on a preliminary search,

for the camera's eye may entirely change my idea.
-Edward Weston




(Calcata corner-Neighborhood church-Drinking water near Piazza Navona-People waiting for the Madonna on Ponte Garibaldi)
*********



(in my world, every alleyway ends with a pizzeria)

a good morning in italy

I woke up to the bells of Santa Maria Maggiore,
the magnificent basilica around the corner,
but chose to stay in bed for a while,
resting my eyes and lying in the cool air
the morning had brought.

Our shuttered windows were flung wide open
[as they always are]
to let the breezes in.

I finally decided to get up
and go to the market
so that I could make a lovely breakfast
of eggs, toast and jam, and melon.
I listened to some tunes,
that made me want to smile,
and waited for Shawn's call to give the 'ok.'

But we're going to Calcata today,
with or without him,
to reconnect with some hippie love,
that sits on a fortressed plateau
outside of Rome.

[addition]
To Calcata we went! [sadly, without Shawn]

A tiny town on a hill,
Deserted when we arrived,
[it was siesta].

We walked to the bottom of the tree-covered valley
where the river bustled through
and where we dipped our feet in
to cool off.

And it felt like we went back in time...
to see the dinosaurs...

Hardly a tourist in sight.
Just an empty piazza,
and a church in the corner,
with a clock, whose hands stopped turning
long ago.

firenze

On the way to Firenze, we sped by Tuscany, filled with fields of sunflowers.

They became blurs of yellow, but they still made me smile.


Florence was very hot, but the people were nice.
I bought some Roman strappy sandals. Because Florence is known for their leather.

And for its art.
I saw this guy:
And the birthing of Venus as well. Not to mention many Virgin Mary's with her Son.


Also, my first experience in a hostel.
...Interesting.
[I seem to attract Asians...or am always drawn to them].