I’ve been studying Italian off and on for a few years. I have tried many ways to get at least to a comfortable state of conversing. I am disappointed I never learn a foreign language growing up; it was not stressed as it is now to have a second language. I think if I had at least the foundation of learning a different tongue when I was younger, learning Italian would not be the struggle it is now.
With no washer; 16 pieces of clothing, a few pair of undies, 3 pairs of socks and 2 shallow sinks equals 4 “loads” of laundry.
Soak a little in the soapy water… agitate by hand a bit for 3 or 4 minutes…let out soapy water…SQUEEZE, swish around in rinse water in other sink…let water out…SQUEEZE…fill first sink with rinse water… swish around for second rinse… SQUEEZE… fill sink again swish around for a third rinse (I’m sensitive to washing soap at home and I don’t know how gentle this stuff is)…SQUEEZE… Repeat 3 more times Mosquitoes…Oh-Oh…To be itchy...Oh-Oh-Oh
It rhymes in Italian (somewhat) as opposed to English and sounds so much better. Mosquitoes; living in Florida I am no stranger to these little winged vampires but here in Italy they are much more vicious than their America cousins. Although I wrote about them while in Firenze 7 years ago, I feel they deserve another rant since they seem to be especially brutal this year. Traveling is exciting, interesting, amusing, intimidating, educational and exhausting. It tries you, challenges you, and expands you in many ways.
Authorities determined the air quality was so poor there would be no cars allowed to drive in the city center of Rome (with the exceptions of buses, taxis, hired drivers, and the disabled). It was a beautiful, cool, bright and cloudless day; wonderful day to walk around Rome without having to dodge traffic.
We would like to find a few things to take back home with us, so today we went to a BIG supermarket. I found Panorama online and saw they had one conveniently located near a metro a few stops outside the city center.
Being asked for money from strangers on the street is common in Italy. Usually it’s women, but we’ve seen a few men as well. Women usually either have a child in tow or have a picture of children. Men are usually physically deformed in some way with either one arm missing or a severe club foot.
It’s starting to get colder here in Rome. I am a very cold-natured during winter. I generally like the temperature in the house to be between 72°F and 75°F. Once I get cold it takes a while for me to warm up.
I know it’s been quite awhile since I’ve written a blog. Vic has been keeping you up to date on our adventures. I have been not really in the “blogging mood” since arriving in Rome.
All of a sudden the fall weather is upon us. It was a hotter than usual summer in Italy. When we arrived there was a heat wave across Europe. Torre Orsina, as well as Florence, saw many triple digit temperatures days. Both the months of August and September were much hotter than average. I think the heat lingered for longer than normal and now it abruptly turned cold.
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