Passeggiata

Passeggiata is a wonderful italian word and tradition. It technically means "walk" or if you say "fare passeggiata" it means to go for a walk. It is so much more than just a walk. In the evening, when everything and everyone wakes up from their afternoon nap they go out for a passeggiata. It is a stroll, window shopping, grocery shopping, enjoying peoples company, and eating gelato. There are streets that are popular for this evening passeggiata, where everyone meets, and talks, and enjoys the wonderful part of the day before dinner. They eat dinner around 8 in Italy, in fact restaurants are open only before 8 for tourists who eat early.

Anyway, tonight I opted to take myself on a little passeggiata to the Pizzia Spagna, or the Spanish Steps. No doubt you have seen pictures of this square, it is very famous and always teeming with people especially in the early evening hours. You can barely see the steps in the picture because they are covered up by people sitting on them. If you look though you will realize there are stone steps. It is also where all of Rome's really high end clothing stores are located. Gucci, Valentino, Prada, and any other major designer name you can think of. I strolled, I lusted after Cartier diamonds and a Valentino purse, I ate ice cream, and sat on the Spanish Steps. Lovely.

Afterwards, I decided to walk over to the Trevi Fountain. Cliche I know, but cliche for a reason. It is so beautiful and overwhelming and amazing. I met a nice couple on their honeymoon from Kentucky and took their picture and had them take mine. I tossed in a coin over my shoulder to insure my return to Rome. I then walked back to the metro, rode it to the Pizzia S. Giovanni, and after a little difficulty found good ol' bus number 360 and rode 'home'. I just finished another good dinner with my family.

I am now planning my fabulous weekend trip. It is a trip I have been wanting to take for years. To Sorrento and Positano. For those of you who have seen "Under the Tuscan Sun" that is where the cute italian guy, Marcello, lives and where they eat and walk on the beach. Yes I have seen that movie too many times. I want to go not because of the movie, but because in my first semester of Italian at Baylor we watched a Rick Steves' Italy travel movie. They showed Positano and the Amalfi Coast, and ever since that moment I have been dreaming of seeing this coast. Do a google image search and you will understand. I will take lots of pictures but may not take my computer so except a lot of updates on Sunday night when I return!

A few side notes: I am really tired of hearing the Lady Gaga song, they LOVE it over here and I hear it all. the. time. Also, teenagers are pretty much annoying everywhere in the world. I can ride any public transportation system thanks to D.C. And I am starting to be able to make out what people are saying in Italian on the streets, it doesn't sound like jumbled words anymore. yay!