on to the next one

Last night, before dinner Carlo took me to to look out over the city. It was amazing to see Rome from up high, and incredible how much Carlo knows about his city. He pointed out monuments, churches, and many more places which I cannot pronounce. I wonder if I should be embarassed because I am barely soaking in all of this information, but I am taking in what I can. And of course, I have beautifulo scenes to capture with my vision... and my camera.

So dinner was great mostly because of the company. Although I couldn't understand a great portion of what was being said, there lots of smiles and tons of warmth. I also got to talk with a few folks about visiting School Lake and Camp Walden. Plus, the meal was delicious. Mirella suggested the linguine with mushrooms. So good. I am guessing it was a butter sauce with a hint of garlic and hot pepper.

Right after coffee came (Mirella had ordered decaf for me) Carlo said that it was time to go. It felt so abrubt, probably because the 5 minute warning had come in Italian), so I stood up, but Cralo told me I could finish me coffee first. Since the cups are only the size you mihgt give to a doll, it didn't take long. I said my good byes with a kiss on each cheek, and we crossed the street to go the ballet, Casanova.

As we approached, I realized that the stage was standing in the middle of the park. It was a small area with seats, stadium style, uncovered, and small. The ballet itself left something to be desired, but I made subtitles in my head for what might be happening to entertain myself and that definately worked. This is not only my lack of taste speaking either- Carlo said he didn't like it as much as others he had seen there.

We drove back home and shortly went to bed, but first I gave Mirella the thank you gift that my mom (Pam) had pickjed out. Mirella asked if she should wait until Carlo came back from the parking the car, and we agreed that it would be nice to wait. However she changed her mine and opened it anyway. She really loved it. She was smiling and repeated thank you over and over. And I thanked her for letting me stay and showing me around Rome, and she said "I wish you wouldn't leave... so soon." We agreed that next time I should stay longer, and I went to sleep with a melting heart.

But not mealting from the heat! I got an AC upgrade! woohooo. I guess there had been a portable AC, so when Carlo offered it yesterday, I jumped at the chance to have a cool sleep.

I set my alarm, and felt ready to wake up at 9:30. I stretched in my cool room, took a cold shower, and headed into the kitchen for breakfast. The maid, who only speaks Italian had gotten pluots, apricots, cherries, cantalope, and biscotti all ready for me, since I said that fruit was my usual. It was all very good, although the pluot tasted sour after brushing my teeth and especially after that very sweet cantalope.

Then Mirella took me to send a letter. We passed her friend at a cafe, and they schmoozed something about the womans hurt shoulder, we continued on to buy a stamp and send off my note. Then we passed an open air market full of produce, knick knacks, and tourists. Mirella knew some of the people at the market from going there once a week for the past 20 years she explained with a chuckle.

Then I cooled off in my room, had some lunch- more of the yummy same. And now I am waiting either for Nadia to call and tell me to meet her somewhere or for Carlo to get a phone call he is waiting for and take me to the hotel she is at. Whichever comes first. And then it will be a whole other adventure.

when in rome

I figure while I have such easy access to internet, I might as well use it.

So, Ill start where I left off, with lunch. Mmmm. Mirella made pasta salad with rigfatoni, mozeralla cheese, tomatos, capers, and olives. It was so delicious. Im not sure that everyone knows this, but I do not like olives. I very carefully spooned out my serving trying to avoid them, without looking like I was trying to avoid them. There was one scoop that had an olive right in the middle, so I decided to be a big kid and try it. I still do not like olioves, but I made it through. I even had another that camoflouged itself in my second helping. There was also a bread/ craker with rosemary that was very tastey. After that there was the juciest sweetest cantalope Ive ever tasted, and a couple dark cherries too.

As I helped clear the dishes Mirella asked if I wanted ice cream, but there was absolutely no room. She did insist on making me coffe, and decaf was not a problem. She was quite a stash of all kinds of coffee, and it only took seconds to make in her little espresso machine. I was glad that she offered milk and sugar, because Im not sure if thats the real Italian way, but it was also very very good.

Over lunch, to make conversation and think towards the future of my trip, I asked about the bus system, which Mirella took and generously manipulated into us taking one after lunch... even though it was the hottest part of the day. After we finished, and she changed into a lovely dress, we set off on my first Roma Adventure. It was beautiful.

We took the bus to Villa Burgheese, walked around the tall trees and monuments until we landed at a small cafe. She ordered in Italian and asked me in English what I wanted and propmtly suggest iced tea, which sounded perfect for such a hot day. Then in italian she just ordered two of the same. She pulled out a look cigarette from her bag and said with a smile "I know in America this would be a scandal, but I have a cigarette every once in a while," and we laughed as she lit it.

From there we strolled through different Piazzas and landmarks. Most of which I can not remember because her pronounciation is not something I can say back correctly. However there are some pictures, and I know I saw the famous fountain thats in lots of movies. Plus some catherdrals and lots of government mansions.

We also passed a ton of tourist shops, which were fun to look into. Maybe Ill grab some schwag with fellow tourists later in the trip.

Now is some down time, before dinner and the ballet. Plus Ill be taking another shower. This might not be such an important marker for some, but for me that could tell just as much as a thermometer. Yes, I might even shower 3 times today. Who knows!

all for now and all my love,
Amy

misadventures of a wednesday in Northern California

Yesterday started out with such an intimate adventure. Just the two of us, hopped in the rav4 (avoiding the final hours of TOR's moms visit) and headed north. We hiked up rolling hills, past blossoms and banana slugs. After the back of my polka-dotted tank top was soaked through to my backpack, we turned to go back to sea level.

Cooling down, our eyes reached over the Pacific without rest until the horizon. I pulled two carrots, two oranges, and a peanut butter and agave syrup sandwich out of my bag. Nicole, my romantic playdate of the day, had packed rice and beans in a plastic rectangle.

Triplets, two girls and a boy, about 2 years old and seagulls circled and squared us.

It was a complete Northern California afternoon. Before returning to the highway, we stopped at the town market to get some chocolate. Nicole struck up a conversation with Manny. He is a twenty-something who can't leave his home town, the good surf, the bikes, and why would anyone want to?

After a pause that lasted a bit too long, a hit the unlock control. It stuck. The alarm sounded, and the serenity o

f Wednesday was taking a cosmic turn. A tall blond 18 year old leapt off the school bus from the stop sign across the street, and nodded "Sweet car alarm," as the swarm giggled as they migrated into Manny's store.

Eventually it stopped, we rode over the Richmond Bridge, and made it home just in the nick of time to see off Tashina's mom. It was a slightly awkward goodbye, lacking hugs, and they walked off to the bart. Nicole and I had about half an hour before TOR would return, mom free, and be ready to celebrate her birthday.

Zanetta came over to be lazy until it was time to grab a drink and some food. TOR wanted us to go to a champagne bar in downtown Oakland, so we did. I realized upon entering that this was the same place that Sam, Nicole, Genny and I had made fun of as we passed by during Oakland Art Murmur. Yuppie Central, or by its given name: Mimosa.

After "mini tacos" and "micro paninis," we were still hungry. Genny who had biked over to meet us, Z, Nicole, TOR and I made our way over to Off the Hook Burrito, which was as amazing as the name implied. The portions were HUGE, as you can see from Z's fried catfish/ french fry/ bread tower. But before you enjoy an extra large portion you order either Mexican or Soul Food from a middle aged Chinese couple through bullet proof glass.

If you didn't guess, you have to bus your own dishes. Unless of course someone hungry comes in, asks for money, and you hand over left overs to her. Zanetta did, and TOR was quick to follow.

As we were indulging ourselves, Ebony (Z, Zanetta... all the same), received a text about ladies night at the Den, which was only a few blocks away. Full of grease, we made our way to celebration spot #3.

To be clear, ladies night in Oakland is ladylove night. And it was poppin. Good music, groovin ladies, and pricey drinks. Since it was TOR's birthday and all, Z finagled a free shot for her. Z moved over to TOR, a tree stump in wedges, to let her know the alcoholic news. "I've never had a shot," she droned.

"WHAT." I said, head leaning in to make sure I understood the newly 29 year old, and she slowly repeated. Then I repeated. Laughed. And we made our way up to the bar. Z, a very kind soul, told the bartender she had never had a shot, and he asked how old she was. His eyes boggled out of this head, his lips parted, and he said something about making it weak, attempting to hide his growing smirk. Brown rum, lemon, and sugar water in a tumbler. She sipped it. 29, and she still has not ever taken a shot.

Dancing, booty shakin, chest pumping, and then Nicole and Brandy left to pick up Tanya, The Original Roommate - shit same initials- The First Roommate- from San Francisco airport, but not before Brandy treated Tashina to a Cadillac Margarita.

At the stroke of midnight, Zanetta ran the risk of getting a ticket on her car, the Oakland equivalent of turning into a pumpkin. Zanetta ended up running the last three blocks, and I was left to usher Tashina. "I'm derunk," she murmured, and I knew it would be a long few blocks. Barefoot down the streets of downtown Oakland, I held her hand to keep her upright. She told stories without punch lines, and I shared random thoughts.

I collected ice water, advil, and a piece of toast to feed her before she passed out. She swallowed it one by one, and crab walked behind the white curtains that separate her room from the kitchen.

the beginning

Last year, my very close and very personal friend, Lisa D. tore her ACL. While she was recovering and stuck in bed for days, my mom (Alyson) and I brought her tons of delicious baked goods from a lovely bakery called Flour. But that's not what this story is about, I mention it because when she had all of this time to lounge in her bed with a crazy ass machine attached to her knee, she started a blog. Since she's a registered dietitian, it made sense that it was all about food. And since I'm not registered for anything and currently unemployed, mine will be about whatever I feel like.

For example I have tons of material just from today: the madness that is Berkeley Bowl, Nicole (one of my roommates) making hummus not with a few cloves of garlic, but putting three entire garlic bulbs in a batch, or when I broiled asparagus until smoke came out of the oven. And this is just about food. There's also a lovely and loud conversation I had with my mom (Alyson), and when Sam (The Boy) called mid-way though me writing this to suggest that I start a blog.

I'll start slow. Don't want to scare anyone off just yet, but this is just the beginning.