Il dolce far niente

There is a special unexplainable serenity that develops as the frigid chill of winter transitions into the warmth of spring.  As we shed our winter coats and don our light sweaters, trading our boots and thick socks for sandals, it generates a different reality unique to springtime.  And so, in this new reality, the sun shone on Roma this weekend in such a way that I felt more at home.

Friday began with a bus ride to the Vatican, where we warmed ourselves in the sunshine of Piazza San Pietro while watching both locals and tourists flock out into the streets of Roma with a newfound zeal.  From St. Peter's we moved forward into the city with no destination in mind and no agenda to follow –– our day was free, and we were ready to Rome (thank you Kevin for that wonderful pun).  Ending up in Piazza Venezia, we climbed the steps aside Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II, popularly known as the “Wedding Cake” building, and once again soaked up the Roman sunshine.  From there we walked toward the Spanish Steps and arrived just as the sun was setting over the city.  There are select moments where the fact that I am in Italy washes over me.  It is not that I forget where I am, but more so that the routine of school and the busy weekends have helped me to feel as comfortable here as I do at home in San Francisco.  Yet there are moments, maybe when the sun fades into night and casts a pink glow over the cobblestone streets or I stumble upon something I have only seen in movies, which make me stop and actually think about where I am and what I am doing.  Standing atop the Spanish Steps watching the slowly diminishing sun behind an endless assemblage of buildings was one of those moments.  Sometimes when the comfort of a routine sets in you need a moment that will give you just enough clarity to change your perspective.

This weekend, aside from beautiful weather, also gifted us with a visit from the Budapest study abroad students and a little taste of home in this incredibly different culture.  We ventured out in to the city Friday night, a blend of San Francisco, Saint Louis, and Chicago students living in Italy and Hungary ready to experience Roman nightlife.  Saturday was a day of relaxation and errands in town, followed by an attempt at Mexican food only to find out that a reservation was needed for the restaurant.  In a world of pasta and pizza, sometimes what you really crave most is a burrito.  Maybe next week!  We awoke early Sunday morning to trek to Porta Portese, a Flea Market that I can tell will quickly become a weekend tradition when I stay in the city.  We wove our way through stands of cheap clothing, shoes, jewelry, bags, books, music, sunglasses, and every other item you could imagine being sold in an outdoor market.  Followed by lunch and gelato, it was the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Amidst the bustle of city life and the slowly mounting piles of homework, finding calm in lazy weekend afternoons makes me feel like Roma is gradually becoming a bigger part of me.  There is a certain sense of awe that comes from standing in front of ancient ruins, but there is a greater sense of belonging that comes from uncovering the authentically Roman hidden gems on days when there is nothing but time.  It is what the Italians refer to as “il dolce far niente.”  The sweetness of doing nothing. 

The sunset from the Spanish Steps

Jewelry at Porta Portese

Scarves and artwork at Porta Portese