New summer, new adventure! Where to start? I am currently taking a brief hiatus from packing three cities and two months into one suitcase and I decided to update the ol’ blog. I had to change the name this summer, as “Au Revoir, America” is no longer applicable. After Libby’s wedding on Friday, I am heading to New Orleans and shipping out for New York City where I have a publishing internship for the summer. “The Wandering Kind” seems to me the perfect title for a chronicle of my escapades in NYC and beyond, especially because it is the name of the prelude to one of my favorite albums. It signifies hopeful beginnings; new trials and pursuits. I am going to make a conscientious effort to keep this thing up to date (we’ll see about that) primarily for my own journaling purposes and because I fully intend on filling every day with new adventures.
At this moment, I cannot imagine how different things will be in just a matter of hours. Walking outside now, I step under the canopy of oak trees that lines my street. The bay breeze blows heavy with the scent of magnolia, and the sky is a rosy saffron color as twilight settles on our sweet southern town. All is quiet except for dogs and children playing in the street. After tomorrow, I am fairly certain that this picture will be replaced by a very different one and I can’t wait to experience it!
Sidenote: In a fit of nostalgia a few days ago, I went through my pictures and entries from London last summer. I remembered this correspondence gem and thought I would post it just for old time’s sake. (Background: after London, the group split up to visit different places in Europe. Paul would come to Rome a few days after Emily and I left. People that have been/are going to Rome will probably appreciate this more than others J)
Paul
Hey guys hope yall are having a blast in Rome. Just got a few questions:
1. Where did yall stay?
2. Whats the weather like?
3. How friendly are the people there?
4. Did you make any new friends?
5. What did you do while you were there?
6. Is the coliseum worth seeing?
7. Do they have a tube?
8. If so, Is it anywhere near cockfosters?
9. Did you happen to see the queen there?
10. What was the weather like again?
11. Are all their signs in English?
12. Is it anything like little Italy?
13. How was the food?
14. How was the night life?
15. Is there a Zoo Bar there?
16. What about Pubs?
17. Did you join the mafia while you were there?
18. If so, can you get me in?
19. Were there any instances of gender politics?
20. How was Rome?
Sorry thats all I could come up with off the top of my head. If I remember any more questions I'll be sure to send yall another message.
1. Where did yall stay?
2. Whats the weather like?
3. How friendly are the people there?
4. Did you make any new friends?
5. What did you do while you were there?
6. Is the coliseum worth seeing?
7. Do they have a tube?
8. If so, Is it anywhere near cockfosters?
9. Did you happen to see the queen there?
10. What was the weather like again?
11. Are all their signs in English?
12. Is it anything like little Italy?
13. How was the food?
14. How was the night life?
15. Is there a Zoo Bar there?
16. What about Pubs?
17. Did you join the mafia while you were there?
18. If so, can you get me in?
19. Were there any instances of gender politics?
20. How was Rome?
Sorry thats all I could come up with off the top of my head. If I remember any more questions I'll be sure to send yall another message.
Hallet and Emily
Dear Paul (Paolo),
These are the things that you should know before you head to Roma.
Anticipate a slower pace. Italians do not hurry.
Basilicas: My favorite part of Rome. They are everywhere, and they’re gorgeous! St. Peters was my favorite. We celebrated Mass on the front row with a Cardinal. Soooo cool. Also St. Ignatius—What. A. Baller.
Cookies: The best gelati flavor ever.
Don’t think that a Vatican tour is a good idea. It’s not. They will dupe you and escape with your money.
Exploring: many of our favorite finds were places we discovered when we were just wandering around. Go in random buildings and take a look around.
Fontana d’Amore: Doesn’t exist. Don’t make a fool of yourself by asking where it is.
Gelati: God’s gift to mankind. Eat lots of it while you’re here. Also Gypsies: NOT God’s gift to mankind. They will scam you in front of the Vatican. NOT COOL.
Have lots of pizza and pasta. As if you had another choice.
If you don’t want to see the Coliseum, too bad. It’s pretty much everywhere. But it’s really cool, so that shouldn’t be a problem.
Jersey Boys: The best theatrical production of all time—OH WAIT, THAT’S IN LONDON.
Know the difference between fresh and frozen foods. Call us American, but all four of us preferred the frozen.
Like usual, the nicest and coolest people we met were from the great city of Mobile, Alabama. We explored the Vatican and went to lunch with them.
Make a night trip to the Fontana di Trevi and Piazza Navona—they are both beautiful when they are illuminated after dark! As for the Mafia—if we told you, we’d have to kill you.
Naples: May we suggest Florence instead?
On Sunday at noon, the Pope should make an appearance from his apartment window. If he’s not in his summer home, that would be a really cool sight to see! If you go, take pictures for me!
Piazza de Popola: a place we found when we were wandering around one day. It’s a lovely park to walk through. As for pubs, not so much. Pretty sure they’re unique to Britannia.
Quintessentially, Italians do not like to speak English even though they are perfectly capable. Just prepare to speak slowly or in poor Italian. As for the Queen—someone today found out that we we spoke English and his automatic response was “Queen Elizabeth II???” But no, we have not met her. We’re in Rome…
Roma pass: get it at the metro station by the Coliseum. It will get you 3 days on the metro plus entrance into two exhibits for free.
Spanish Steps: worth the hike. A trip to the top gives you a great view of the city.
Tiramisu: Always a good choice.
Underground: Pretty good, actually. It’s no Piccadilly line terminating at Cockfosters (mind the gap) but there are two lines that get you where you need to be. Mostly.
Very. Very. Very. Rude. The people at our Best Western were sooo mean!
Weather: Sunny and hot. PERFECT.
X. This isn’t an x but croissants are really overcooked here. We miss sainsburyyyys.
You should never, under any circumstances, accept a Vatican tour. Even if a sweet North Carolina girl says it’s a good idea, DON’T DO IT. Did we mention that already?
Zebra crossings (aka crosswalks) are really scary. Just close your
eyes and make a run for it. On second thought…maybe just make a run for it.
pace, amore and tiramisu,
hallet and emily
These are the things that you should know before you head to Roma.
Anticipate a slower pace. Italians do not hurry.
Basilicas: My favorite part of Rome. They are everywhere, and they’re gorgeous! St. Peters was my favorite. We celebrated Mass on the front row with a Cardinal. Soooo cool. Also St. Ignatius—What. A. Baller.
Cookies: The best gelati flavor ever.
Don’t think that a Vatican tour is a good idea. It’s not. They will dupe you and escape with your money.
Exploring: many of our favorite finds were places we discovered when we were just wandering around. Go in random buildings and take a look around.
Fontana d’Amore: Doesn’t exist. Don’t make a fool of yourself by asking where it is.
Gelati: God’s gift to mankind. Eat lots of it while you’re here. Also Gypsies: NOT God’s gift to mankind. They will scam you in front of the Vatican. NOT COOL.
Have lots of pizza and pasta. As if you had another choice.
If you don’t want to see the Coliseum, too bad. It’s pretty much everywhere. But it’s really cool, so that shouldn’t be a problem.
Jersey Boys: The best theatrical production of all time—OH WAIT, THAT’S IN LONDON.
Know the difference between fresh and frozen foods. Call us American, but all four of us preferred the frozen.
Like usual, the nicest and coolest people we met were from the great city of Mobile, Alabama. We explored the Vatican and went to lunch with them.
Make a night trip to the Fontana di Trevi and Piazza Navona—they are both beautiful when they are illuminated after dark! As for the Mafia—if we told you, we’d have to kill you.
Naples: May we suggest Florence instead?
On Sunday at noon, the Pope should make an appearance from his apartment window. If he’s not in his summer home, that would be a really cool sight to see! If you go, take pictures for me!
Piazza de Popola: a place we found when we were wandering around one day. It’s a lovely park to walk through. As for pubs, not so much. Pretty sure they’re unique to Britannia.
Quintessentially, Italians do not like to speak English even though they are perfectly capable. Just prepare to speak slowly or in poor Italian. As for the Queen—someone today found out that we we spoke English and his automatic response was “Queen Elizabeth II???” But no, we have not met her. We’re in Rome…
Roma pass: get it at the metro station by the Coliseum. It will get you 3 days on the metro plus entrance into two exhibits for free.
Spanish Steps: worth the hike. A trip to the top gives you a great view of the city.
Tiramisu: Always a good choice.
Underground: Pretty good, actually. It’s no Piccadilly line terminating at Cockfosters (mind the gap) but there are two lines that get you where you need to be. Mostly.
Very. Very. Very. Rude. The people at our Best Western were sooo mean!
Weather: Sunny and hot. PERFECT.
X. This isn’t an x but croissants are really overcooked here. We miss sainsburyyyys.
You should never, under any circumstances, accept a Vatican tour. Even if a sweet North Carolina girl says it’s a good idea, DON’T DO IT. Did we mention that already?
Zebra crossings (aka crosswalks) are really scary. Just close your
eyes and make a run for it. On second thought…maybe just make a run for it.
pace, amore and tiramisu,
hallet and emily
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