Slow & Quiet Day

After all the hoo-hah over the last couple of days Nancy asked for a slow and quiet day with no appointments and no destinations.

We did get motivated to go to a 12:45pm meeting, or rather Nancy did. She set off walking while I set off sitting. Then showering and dressing and, as I still had forty-five minutes to get there, going to the meeting as well. These mid-day meetings are tiny, anchored by Elizabeth, an elderly American expat.

And then we walked "home" and had a large supper in one of the restaurants on "our" piazza.

A local store had expressed interest in Nancy's bags (see above) so she went out to show them to one of the people there while I sat in the apartment and answered email, etc.

Very slow.  Very quiet.

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Dogs and birds in upstairs windows

After this overwhelming excitement, as it got towards dark and cooler, we went for (a) a gelato and (b) a stroll. Both on the whole very pleasant. It is clear however that Monti is getting gentrified before our very eyes. Along side the bodegas (or whatever Italians call them) are opening Japanese restaurants, all very lacquer and chopsticks, and stores selling purses, each on its own little display pillar.

Another disturbing element, in a jeweler's where we stopped the proprietor, hearing some hooting American youths go by, went on a rant and I can't say I blame him. He knew we were Americans and his anti-American rant wasn't directed against us but his description of shirtless American youths at 11am yelling and swilling wine out of open bottles was pretty disturbing. After a meeting we were told that ever fall a couple of American youths are found drowned in the River where they have fallen, drunk.

Don't be mistaken. Everyone treats us royally. We're having a great time.