Reflections From Roma #13
17 marzo 2019
“Assisi”
Hello there… Rodger French here.
This is where I suppose I should offer up my apologies for not pulling together a posting in, what, two months? But the truth is that there simply hasn’t been that much to report. Roma may be “The Eternal City” and ground zero for the ZOTA™, but the fact is that day-to-day life here is just as day-to-day as anywhere else; albeit with beautiful art, churches, and ruins.
It also happens that we are exactly a year away from retiring from this peripatetic life and repairing to Fairhope, Alabama on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay (aka “the nice part of Alabama”), there to set up shop and then… do whatever the hell we want, I suppose. We will no doubt miss - and not miss - living in Roma, and I will be exploring the reasons why in a future posting. For now, let’s just say that the joint has lost significant romantic charm due to a relentless tide of heinous traffic and increasingly unreliable public services, notably trash collection.
We are, however, still planning Roman excursions as well as trips of various durations in order to make the most of our remaining time here. The destination list is long and hardly a day passes without someone suggesting yet another picturesque locale we simply must see. Which can be just frustrating as hell. And we still have lists from our African, Asian, and South American tours, so why should Europe be an exception. Sometimes you simply get what you get.
So, be advised that we’re doing just fine and getting on with it here. Those of you wondering about the infrequency of correspondence, well, grazie mille. Your concern is much appreciated. And if there’s anything of real interest to report, report it I shall. Meanwhile, be well, make sure your passport is current, and in case of emergency, don’t panic.
Onward.
Rodger
