Days 2 & 3 (or When does the job part happen?)

June 22
    On mercoledì morning, Angi and I played camping and built a fort in the living room. The (special-push-button-completely-room-blackening) shades were drawn and she had a mini flashlight she kept shining in my eyes. How am I going to see Rome if I am blind? Ugh. I cleaned up most of the "tent" and camping supplies, including the rocking horse, who was supposed to be keeping watch and barking if anyone was coming, but he failed miserably when Margherita arrived and scared us both out of our skins. (Yes, you read that last sentence correctly, but go ahead and re-read it, I can wait.)
     Around 12:30, Francesca came to retrieve us and take us to the club to swim. (I think it's like a country club as it seemed quite exclusive, but it's in the city so should I call it a city club?) Angi ran around and swam in the pools with her friend Virginia (which they all pronounce Wir-GEE-nee-ya) and I lounged on the lawn, attempting to read but mostly watching all the Italians from behind my sunglasses. Margherita came to pick us up later, and somehow managed to get Virginia, her little brother, their grandmother, and Angi in the backseat of her tiny car, which also contained a large car seat for her two-year old son.
     After a delicious dinner of roasted pollo e potate, Angi began my Italian lessons. You guys think I am a stickler for language, you haven't seen anything!!! She made me repeat every. single. word. over. and. over!
Angi: Foto.
Me: Photo.
Angi: FOTO.
Me: PHOTO.
Angi: O! O! O!
Me: O! O! O!
Angi:  puts her head in her hands, thinking this is hopeless.
Me: Foto?
Angi: Si! Si!
              (Multiply above exchange at least a dozen more times, replacing foto with tavolo, sale, pesca, etc.)

June 23
   Today Angi went to the sea with her father. (Basically I haven't done any real work yet, and I'm not sure that I will any time soon, but we'll get to that...) I lounged, internetted, read, took an accidental nap, and then eventually got dressed and left the apartment. Francesca had given me directions on how to get to her office on foot, and promised to print me some maps so I could learn the area. I set out, asking Margherita and Frederico, the painter, to lock the door after me, although since I only speak English and they only speak Italian, it was quite difficult.
    Margherita? Frederico? umm... I'm leaving now... (motion with hands toward door) could one of you, either one, lock the door? umm, la porta?  (turning motion pretending to lock the door)
    Ahh, Si, si! Ciao!
    Oh, grazie! Ciao!

   Luckily, the walk was quick and uneventful. The office is air-conditioned (mental note to return for even the slightest reason, done and done) and quite lovely overall; Francesca led me through the meeting room with its grand table and floor to ceiling shelves filled with law books. Her secretary copied some maps for me, and they sent me on my way to Villa Borgese.
   I set off on my merry way, completely unaware that my life was about to change in the most drastic way possible: In a matter of mere moments, I would become a... wait for it... jaywalker. Now wait just one minute and let me defend myself before you get all judgy, Italian traffic is SO crazy, and if you don't make a run for it when there's a break, you'll never make it across!* Anyway, I dodged cars and buses and Vespas left and right, only stopping to drink some water or discreetly check my maps, and finally made it to the park.
    After walking (what probably wasn't very far but seemed like) many miles kilometers, I was half exhausted, so I got some gelato and sat on a bench in a dog park to relax. Thank goodness dogs bark in English, it was nice to hear some familiar sounds! Some time later (I should probably buy a watch) I managed to find my way back to the apartment before Margherita was off for the evening (I don't have a key...) and spent the evening recapping my adventure-less adventure.

Baci di Roma!!



*This statement is not proof that I crossed a street outside of a legally marked crosswalk, and is not intended to be used as evidence in a court of law.