Ciao! Just into the morning of my 3rd day here in the Eternal City. Haven't done too much yet. You know…..the jet lag,the unpacking, the fisticuffs with those drunken cardinals at a wine bar near the Vatican, yada, yada, yada. But here's a report on initial impressions.
The Appartamento: It's OK. It's not quite the posh pad that I'm used to in cosmopolitan Menlo Park. But it's not bad. It's stylish enough, although I might have to fly Patty or Shannon out here to help spruce it up. It is a little small. The kitchen for example is microscopic. I mean, there's a tiny electric stove, and I think there is a microwave. You know how much I cook, so this could be problematic. The shower, on the other hand, is quite roomy — especially by European standards. Some pics of the apartment follow:
-- entry way/lobby into building
-- view once you walk in my front door; you can walk upstairs to the main level, or you can go down to the lower level with bathroom & bedroom
-- views of the upstairs, i.e, the combined living room, dining room, kitchen, etc.
-- view of downstairs hallway, now with psychedelic wall lights on
-- small subterranean bedroom (with additional psychedelic lighting)
I will say that the refrigerator is a decent size. You can see here the good use to which I'm putting it! (Note the frozen broccoli in the freezer.)
A milestone was definitely getting my name on the mailbox and the front buzzer. Felt like a real Roman.
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| Some of you have asked about the Bilotti family. I haven't met them yet. I suspect they're a local syndicate. |
The real question, however, is whether the Italian postal service will come through. Uncle Sam tells me that they will forward my mail free of charge. I haven't received anything yet…..
Antonio, the guy who manages the apartment (and some others), is fantastic. He is a super nice guy and is very helpful. He's really been a life-saver.
The Welcoming Hospitality: Wow. They roll out all the stops. So welcoming. Maybe a little too much, frankly. For instance, I was strolling around the Vatican side yesterday just minding my own business, when I almost stumbled right into this swarming and huge setup of TV cameras and reporters and film crews. Yucccch! I am of course flattered and humbled that they'd go to such lengths to note my arrival. But it was a little much. Don't they have better things to report on in a city with so much going on?
Mistaken Identity: Some of you have asked. But, no, this was not me. Sorry Norm.
The Fruit: You know how much I loathe routine. It's anathema to me. Well, you never thought you'd see the day, but I've made an exception. My neighborhood is Campo Di Fiori (which means, I think, "field of flowers"). It is famous for its fruit/flower/spice/etc. market every day bright & early. So, I've been heading out every morning — without exception — to get fruit. It is awesome. Love it. The oranges are to die for. The mercado de Campo Di Fiori is so good that it's made me overcome my resistance to routine. It's also making me wonder why I eschewed those Bay Area farmers markets for all those years. How could you have let me do that?
The Gym: Another massive milestone was finding a gym. That was my top priority, and I found it on Day 1. Did the first workout on Day 2. And officially joined and paid up this morning on Day 3. It's no Equinox — not even close. But it's clean, has modern equipment, has free weights and decent machines, and a couple of cardio machines. Better, for example, than many hotel gyms — especially in Europe. It will do. The Dolphin Fitness Center is a 5-minute walk from my apartment, right over the pedestrian-only bridge (the Ponte Sisto) that crosses the Tiber and joins Campo Di Fiori to the fabled Trastevere district. Now, I'm sure you're wondering whether a gym this small will suffice. You're asking, I realize, whether I will I be the same chiseled Adonis when I leave here as I was when I arrived. The answer is "maybe not." But this will slow the decay. (One observation: there is no morning workout crew to speak of. Back in the States, I learned that — although it's not the same size crowd as it is after work — there's still a rather sizable population that works out between 7:00 and 11:00 am. Not here. Maybe they're hungover from too much vino the prior nite, or maybe they all have to be at work early. But it's empty in the morning here, which is fantastico.)
Some pics are attached.
Still Unpacking: How can one uomo have overpacked to this degree? Why did I bring so much footwear?
Tree of Life/Zero Dark Thirty: Pictures of Jessica Chastain are everywhere. Italians apparently have the same crush on her as I do.
Espresso: For the first time in my life, I've decided that I like coffee. Standing at the bar in a café and getting one of those mini-shots of espresso is fun. I may give up tea. I have to thank Antonio for convincing me to try this tradition.
Care Packages: Here's my address — Via dei Pettinari 81, Rome, Italy 00186. Please send natural nut butters — peanut, cashew, almond, heck, even pecan! Please! I still can't find any. Going through withdrawal. Some supermarkets do have Jiff. Can I really eat that?
Upcoming Priorities: I still haven't been by the local Kiehl's. That is, obviously, Mecca for me. And I still, believe it or not, have no blender. I have had to buy smoothies. That must end soon — they're not in the budget when you buy them in a gelatteria. Finally, I've still not found a language class. I will remedy that soon.
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OK, enough of my yakking. You working stiffs probably have stuff to do!
Oh....just one more thing for this inaugural posting --
Q: What has been the biggest milestone of all?
A: That I got this blog up and running without any assistance at all from MoFo Tech Services!
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