dolce vita

It rained Saturday. But this didn't stop folks from enjoying the sweet life.

per amanda

Amanda defines herself as a mom, archaeologist and writer with a Greek soul. Her blog Travels with Persephone is partly a memoir of Greece–and in particular the island of Ithaka, where she's been returning, like Odysseus, for over 20 years. She still digs in Greece, but also unearths and writes about the mysteries of everyday life.

A few weeks ago she posted a touching and beautifully written piece, Geography of a wrist. It is a loving and poetic tribute to her mother. In it Amanda explains how she–just like her mother–collects bracelets, each matching a place, a voyage, a memory. Amanda keeps all this on her wrist, and the jingling sound of her mementos, lures her children in sweet slumber, as she tells them the wondrous stories behind each bangle.

Her post was particularly moving for me, and I found so many analogies with my own life, travels, generations of motherhood and perfume. And bracelets.



postman's on his way...

cena dopo il cinema

Two weeks ago some friends and I went to the cinema to see The American. We had all worked on it, so it was nice to see the film together. After the movie we strolled to the nearby 'Gusto restaurant for a bite to eat. It was a lovely September evening, with still not too many people around in the streets after midnight. The last shot was taken on Via del Corso, looking down towards Piazza del Popolo.

scalinata di spagna

There is so much life on and around the "Spanish Steps."

I love coming here to people-watch. It's nice to see tourists slow down, relax on the marble steps and take a little break.

sant'agnese in agone

Sant'Agnese in Agone is a Baroque basilica built in the late 1600s on the site of the Circus of Domitian, where Saint Agnes was martyred in 304 AD at the age of 12. Read her disturbing biography here.

Where the Circus of Domitian footrace stadium once stood, is now Piazza Navona–one of Rome's most visited landmarks.

vespa show

Just as I was saying good-bye to some friends visiting from LA after a gargantuan gelato session, a buzzing platoon of Vespa scooters zoomed by. They all had numbers on the front, so maybe it was some sort of competition. Judging from the models, it was probably for vintage classics.

Check out the cream-colored one equipped with sidecar... Also, I think I spotted a Lambretta out there somewhere...
Ah, bliss. Almost better than gelato.

This post is dedicated to my vespa-buddy, CHUCK

sacro e profano

poesia

The graffiti translates to, "the poet is you, reading this"

piazza buenos aires

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