Rome, oh Rome, the city that keeps calling me back like a siren's song. I've ventured into its cobblestone alleys and bustling piazzas three times now, and each time feels like the first – a fresh discovery waiting to unfold. These photos, relics from pre-Covid times, capture moments from my three sojourns in the eternal city, each a chapter of its own.
Come with me and join me in this designer in Rome story.
I'll admit, I'm no Hemingway, but as the years blur memories, there's something comforting about pouring thoughts onto paper. My Roman escapades, you see, were a tad too "eat, pray, love" with a heavy emphasis on the "eat" part – because let's face it, food in Rome is a celestial experience. The water tastes crisper, the wine – oh, the wine – and pasta becomes a sonnet of flavors.
Now, before you start imagining me reciting historical facts at ancient ruins, let me tell you: my most profound Roman moments involved unexpected hilarity. Oh, the stories I could tell you! Though some are a bit too cringe-worthy – even as I recount them now – they had me cackling on my couch for weeks on end. And yes, a select few dear friends got a kick out of my misadventures too. Twice, the skies above me opened up as if to shower me with a dose of reality – a reality that left me both drenched and entertained - I understood I needed a tourist poncho and an umbrella-. Once, I found myself unceremoniously evicted from a high-fashion shopping center (Oh, the cringe-worthy saga! It's a tale locked in the vault, and no, I won't break it open here. But trust me, it's a plot twist you won't see coming!) And if that weren't enough, fate decided I should also moonlight as the impromptu consoler for a girl on the street, caught in the midst of a romantic wreckage – the kind that usually belongs in movies; and I ended up in her apartment sharing a table of cheese with her friends. I didn't understand a word of the whole evening lol. But...
Ever get that sensation of being the protagonist in your own movie, with the world as your stage? Rome had me feeling like a modern-day Audrey Hepburn,
striding through her Roman Holiday. Each step was a performance, every meal a delectable scene, and the Colosseum itself a dramatic backdrop.
During two of my stays, I settled into charming Airbnb abodes. The first time, I found myself in a mildly eerie situation – the hosts insisted on serving breakfast in bed. Now, don't get me wrong, I love breakfast as much as the next person, but sharing that intimate moment with strangers was a bit too Hitchcock for my taste. Besides, my idea of breakfast was a coffee and maybe a toast back then. I've since expanded my breakfast horizons, rest assured.
And here I am, starting this journal, my own patchwork of memories and experiences that shaped who I am today. Tragedy struck last year when I lost a trove of cherished photos and videos – a digital graveyard. It was a brutal lesson in letting go, but it ignited a spark to encapsulate my adventures here.
No, you won't find me recommending bed linens or wall art, but you will find me baring a slice of my soul, sharing the whispers of who I am. After all, knowing where we've been can offer insights into where we're headed, if you're inclined to dig into that treasure trove.
But let's not overlook the simple joys – like sipping wine under the night sky, awaiting a steaming plate of pasta. Ah, Cacio e Pepe, my heart's true desire. The finest pasta symphony I've ever tasted, not in a five-star Michelin haunt, but in a local gem hidden down a rain-soaked alley. I can't recall why I chose that alley or what guided me there, but isn't that the essence of Rome? Unplanned serendipity.
It feels a bit surreal, me jotting down these fragments of my Roman tale. But indulge me, won't you? If your feet ever tread the stones in front of the "Piazza di Spagna," remember this: remember to look up. There's magic in the details, and Rome, with all its grandeur, thrives in those stolen glances heavenward. Oh, and of course, you need to make a wish in the famous Fontana di trevi. Which I'm sure Lizzie Mcguire taught you that dreams come true. If you don't know this reference please leave and come back whenever you know what I'm talking about. Let me know what you think of this new journal section.
Write to you soon, Astrid
Now, a photo dump.
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