COME SI DICE?

Grazie vs Greasy

2009-03-14T17:21:00.000-07:00

A different craving had over come me and after heading south on Via Condotti to Via del Corso the international image of glutton became my sunset... we passed the temptation in Firenze, and even though the golden arches were seen upon entering Napoli (apparently the mafia burned it down twice) it took a circle through Como and Assisi to finally convince me to go back to where we started, Mc Grazie.

Roman Botany Stoned.

2009-03-12T14:37:00.000-07:00

The silence of the GPS navigator in Taxi was the first hint that I should have taken the 10€ train direct to termini, but it was a long flight and the 8am sun kept me in a suspended dream state. As I threw the carryon into the rear seat, the moment of silence gave the international understanding that I don’t speak Italian. Fortunately we had a polish driver and his English was better than his Italian.

As we circled the airport to validate a transfer fee, the sweet smell of freshly bloomed hibiscus flowers which framed our exit led us towards the hills of Rome, and as we passed the countless vespa and half scale vehicles it became clear that Toronto had started to drain from my veins. We drove past the women walking to work, pausing to take shaded breaths alongside the bamboo on Via Aurelia Antica. It was this mishmash of botany that stuck with me, an array of cobblestone streets with pine and palm trees, cactus and olive trees… but alas no grass. Is Rome a concrete jungle made of stone?

The Soundtrack to a voyage

2009-03-11T18:23:00.000-07:00

A soundtrack to a past adventure is set to repeat in my head. I walk step by step via a digital memory of cockroaches on the ceiling to the sips of cool water from the street fountains and find myself back where I started yesterday. I'm stuck on the 12th step in the middle of the spanish steps and I'm 2 euros short of a torrone gelato.Two beautiful hazel eyed brunette carabinieri walk up and handcuff me to a fume stained vespa, while a calloused hand taps me on the shoulder and shows me a picture of her two rented children. A little girl with oversized glasses was dancing in the subway yesterday. I long to be a gypsy.

I awake to find myself staring at the broken streetlamp blanketed by freshly fallen snow. I'm in my comfortable canadian livingroom and Anoop Dogg has just taken centre stage.

How did I get caught up between these two existences?

As google earth launches I embark on a 3D journey of the twisted streets and hills of Rome, I'm off to explore what i've missed.

A te is on.