a morning run

after a day on a bus and a very cheap dinner, I was out like a light. waking just after 6, I decided to go for a run. before the sun was biting, and before crowds were gathering, Rome was peaceful. in many piazzas it was just me and my music, and I had a beautiful moment of recognition that I am lucky to be alive.

the buildings are beautiful. many of them are ancient and predate the formation of the church, centuries and centuries for which my mind has no capacity to comprehend. the roads are worn and slippery from the passing of millions over the years. it’s miraculous.

I called my parents from the Vatican. they wanted to see the outside of rhe basilica, and it was really lovely seeing them. the last time I was here was under their wings twelve years ago. part of me wishes they could be here with me now, with Josh and Ziah like old times. we chatted for nearly an hour as the sun rose higher and other signs of life began to emerge onto the streets.

I am in awe of what I see here.

I had the Trevi fountain to myself for a moment. returning by 10 am to the place absolutely swimming in tourists posing and flicking wishes over their shoulders. surreal.

I am lucky to be here. <<

Milan

a jarring contrast to the peace of Lierna by the lake. Milan is a very busy city made up of buildings that dance between ancient and cutting edge. everybody has somewhere to be, and I can see how easy it must be to feel so small living in such a place.

very pretty architecture. rich history. it’s nice to be amidst this sort of beauty again. I spent my full day here exploring old churches and wandering the streets. I was tipped €20 for stopping to pose for a photo with a bag for a Korean fashion company. very odd.

enjoyed the private collection of a very wealthy family who have turned their former house into a gallery. also had the good fortune of making new friends - Austrian sisters Pia and Paula, with whom I shared dinner and drinks in the park both nights of my stay. it’s nice to be reminded that friends can be found wherever I go.

onto Rome - an 8 hour bus begins as I type. missing home and the people I love. excited to visit some of them soon. I’ll write again soon. <<

Lierna

I’ve found myself thanking my past self for sending me somewhere so peaceful. America was a lot to digest. time has stopped here, and the quiet is gorgeous.

Lierna is a small community sitting across the pond from Como, sharing the freshwater lake on which ducks and rowboats drift at any hour of the day. with a handful of restaurants and gelaterias, I might be one of the only non locals currently enjoying the lake and the ancient lanes winding through the village.

the water is cool, though warmer than our warmest water gets back home. I’ve enjoyed swimming around corners to find new pebble beaches. the view of the village from the water is also stunning.

children ride their bikes down the lanes, some splashing in the water or jumping off the jetty’s. plenty of Nonno’s doing laps of the beaches too.

dinner by the water - penne al quatto formaggio, enjoyed with a glass of chianti (their cheapest wine still better than anything from back home).

mysterious and even more quiet at night. it’s been a gorgeous retreat away from the rush and bustle of the city, for which I’m very grateful. more time here would be lovely. Milan tomorrow, then onto Rome. counting my blessings. <<

descending into Italy

a sleepless flight made nicer. glorious.

one land to another - clouds rolling from one to the next. surreal. <<

JFK terminal 1

it’s time to leave the states. I wait for my final flight from an American airport the same way I did for my first - overwhelmed with a grande iced chai on soy from Starbucks. it’s way too sweet, but it reminds me of someone I miss very much who first bought one for me quite a while ago now. he’s probably sleeping now - as are most of the people in my life. time is strange. I sleep whilst most of my loved ones live and work and eat and laugh. what a wide world.

I have been spoiled with kindness here. the country itself overwhelmed me no end. it’s very loud and full of people treading water, with ridiculous prices and noise that never seems to stop. my respect for my loved ones living here has only grown. I regret not being able to see everyone who has touched my heart that lives in this mammoth country. I wish I had the time and money. I wish I saw Eliu - I don’t know if she still reads this, but she’s been on my mind a lot. I hope she’s happy and enjoying her new life here.

but the people I’ve seen. from Iowa City to Bushwick to Boston. I don’t know how I got so lucky. it feels bittersweet to fly in and out of the spaces and worlds of the people I treasure and miss. I try to remind myself how lucky I am to know and miss such precious friends, but I do find it tricky having parts of my heart left with people so far from my world back home.

my heart is full. a strange country lucky enough to call itself the home of some of the most wonderful people I know. I won’t forget my time here and I’ll always count myself grateful for the people I treasure here. it’s time to go for now. I will see my friends again, and will treasure them no matter the distance.

another chapter, with more sights and sounds and loved ones to treasure. and so we fly. <<

Boston

less than 24 hours with dear friends from way back when. the time flew far too quick in such precious company.

these two were roomies together in Lewes and ended up living in the same area a year or so later. in the midst of their busy lives they’ve only managed to see each other twice since. it was initially hard to comprehend the fact that we were existing in the same space together after so long apart. lots of laughing about old times and where we are now. it’s comforting to know that they too feel as though they have no idea what they’re doing.

revisiting parts of my heart in different places. the chaos of this odd country has been kind to me somedays. precious people everywhere. how lucky am I to have so much to miss? <<

Hadestown

treated myself to a night at the theatre. I’d been wanting to see this one for a couple of years now, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. witnessing such a marvel and being part of a standing ovation was truly special. another blessing to count. <<