SPQR: Sono Pazzi Questi Romani

Finally got to walk around a bit this morning.

The Appian Way terminates at my doorstep. I'm five blocks from the Coliseum. I stumbled on to the Mouth of Truth, saw the Tiber, etc. It was all kind of lovely.

My internet in my apartment is intolerably slow and unreliable. I'm working on getting access to my neighbor's connection, but it won't be active until next week.

I'm kind of curious about Gypsies, mainly because my ultra-xenophobic real estate has worked me up into a lather of fear in which I see Gitanes in every shadow and chamberpot. A Frenzy in Firenze about the Roma in Roma. Here's some rather distrubing info on Gypsies.

The fact is, I've heard quite a bit of negative info about Gypsies from many sources lately. I've never seen (or recognized) a Gypsy in person. Anyhow, this has become another question for my stay here: why this villification?

Speaking of Firenze: in case this didn't come through clearly (amid all of my complaints), Florence was amazing. As an art experience, my 3 days there compare favorably with 2 months in Paris. It just wasn't that livable a place.

After dinner with my neighbor Alba, we went out for a walk and ended up doing a a 4 hour tour. It was fantastic - She had an endless supply of advice and background to share, and her enthusiasm for the city is contagious. I've definitely turned the corner on getting excited about Rome.

Too much to write...