Finiamo a Roma, e solo adesso ho male di gola!

Briefly, briefly.
I often say those words but get caught up in the maelstrom of my mind. And then must type everything I think and have felt from the day.
Perhaps tonight I'll be brief?
Mom, Dad, and I exchanged hugs and kisses before they hopped in their cab to the airport in Rome this morning. An abrupt ending to a blissful week or so together. After their door shut, I continued up the hill from our hotel, looking backwards to make sure they were finally off. I climbed the hill, took a few pictures of the sites..Rome's beauty creeps up on you! And continued walking past the President's house until I stumbled upon the Barberini National Gallery of Art "Antica." Well, I'm not quite sure what this is, but it's open. I walked in, found my way to the ticket office (biglietteria), and handed the man a fifty euro bill for the five euro fee. "Una cinquanta? No. Troppo grande." I laughed, told him it was the only bill I had, he shrugged and gave me a ticket for free. "Really? YOU ARE SO KIND." That sent him cracking up, and he repeated my words.
I had to wait a few more minutes until the rest of the "sale" or rooms were open, and then another woman and I headed in. Every person there was Italian, and I was flattered that they spoke to me in Italian as well. I nodded and smiled even though I understood little.
The museum was fabulous! I saw Raffaelo, Carravaggio, Fillipo Lippi, Titian, Pietro di Cortona, and many more.
Then, I sauntered out and headed towards the Spanish Steps. My goal for my Roman morning on my own: visit the Keats and Shelley museum. I reached the door, but unfortunately it didn't open for another hour or so. I decided to grab a cappuccino and read while waiting.
I found a cafe overlooking the Spanish Steps with a view of the museum so I could see when the doors opened. The prices for coffee were outrageous. I spent the money I would have on the museum in that quiet corner of the upstairs restaurant. I sat in the window in a table to myself with a beautiful vista, delicious cappuccino, and delightful book, "My Life in France," by Julia Child. I'm STILL reading it, but I'm hanging on to her every sentence. I adore the woman and her writing style. I feel like we're kindred spirits. But she's more Type A than I am. We'd complement each other well.
A British woman came in, and of course, I watched her from the corner of my eye. She was curt with the waiter and barked out her order. It got worse. She ordered a coffee and a croissant (making sure to use a french accident, which the Japanese/Italian waiter could barely understand). She exhaled haughtily when he asked her to repeat the word. After nibbling on the pastry, she flagged the man down again, although he was busily waiting on several other tables. "This croissant is SWEET. I don't like it. I want a BUTTERY one." While french croissants ARE warm, flaky, buttery and savory, the Italian brioche are sweet, crisp, and rarely warm from the oven. Cultural differences, Miss Priss. The confused waiter simply took it away, and she rolled her eyes. Ruuuuuuude.
The museum doors open and I asked for my bill. The museum was headed by an American twenty-something and a stern British woman. I saw where Keats lived and died in Rome, as well as a few of his letters and original poems! Pretty cool.
Later I hopped on the metro, arrived at the train station, was helped by a gypsy when buying my train ticket, and finally got on a slow, four-hour train. I met some cool Canadian girls traveling to Florence, but they only wanted to know of a good club in town. Sigh.
Then, I went to the supermarket, made a fruit salad, and Olivia and Meredith came over for our much anticipated UGA vs. Kentucky tailgate! We made burgers on huge Italian rolls, potato chips, fruit salad, and juice. Oh, and the girls brought KETCHUP! What a surprise.
We chatted and laughed and talked about Fall Break plans. Olivia's boyfriend arrives tomorrow, and Meredith's mom comes on Monday. I was jealous that they will get to spend time with their loved ones while I had to say goodbye to mine today.
And now, Jess and I have chilled.
I'm getting a bit sick...coming down with a sore throat and losing my voice. Maybe a little fever, too. But, it's my Fall Break, and I don't leave for Barcelona until Wednesday! That leaves plenty of time to recuperate.
I want to stick around and sight-see Florence. There are still too many things on my bucket-list that are unchecked. I'd also love to pick up an Italian journal and start writing my own little recipe book. Other than that, it's sleep, cook, chat, and drink tea until my throat is soothed.
The past week has been marvelous, and I hope to finish uploading pictures tomorrow of my dear family. If only sissy Emily would visit.
A dopo!