ITS SUNDAY MORNING

   
FUCK STYLE
Stylish as we think they are, Romans have a fétiche with the tracksuits, I guarantee you. I used to think that they wore them for flights scarifying style in name of comfort, since they are confined to (or in?) a tin tube and no one can see them. But spending a Sunday morning (and a few more days) wandering around the cafés and parks and streets of the roman hoods, I scientifically proved that they just adore them! Fuck style: Wear tracksuits! Yells Rome, to my horror, in my face, this not too chilly February Sunday morning.
Ding dong go the bells, men run or ride, families and older couples pop in and out cafés for espressos and walks. And everyone seems to have a dog. And dogs seem to be frisky and friendly with each other and any other thing they can rub themselves on. People say dogs are like their owners. Maybe they get a kick from the ding dongs... Who knows?

Rome smells like Rome, but who would have said it's so rolling and green and sport friendly? I wouldn't. I love it. I think I have discovered the Roman Central Park (and ten times bigger at least): thrilling. There's so much more to Rome than JUST the history of the world, the greatest emperors and orgies and some of the best art. What a surprise.

I couldn't help but noticing (you would have too, I swear) that Romans do know how to get the make their money stretch when it comes to umbrellas. I was lazily walking in the Villa Pamphili and loads of people running and riding and walking. It was kind of wet, perfect English weather. And drizzle did seem threatening at times. I agree. But listen to this: there was a man running as in he went for a jog, with an umbrella. And not just an umbrella that you buy for €5 to any seller in the street. No no nooooo. This was a Mr.Umbrella. A proper English umbrella; strong long wooden cane one, that I'm talking about. And yeah, this man was jogging under his umbrella. That's a bit odd, now, innit?
That's not enough? 

At the bus stop, outside the Villa there was a woman waiting for the bus. This woman, when it got a bit windy, pulled out her Asian style pocket size umbrella from her handbag and opened it and held it with one hand, kind of like a shield against the wind. With the other hand she prepped the camera in the phone and held it in same hand as umbrella -now that's what i call multitasking, and this is just the beginning! With her now unoccupied hand she pulled a comb, can't say out of where coz I didn't see, and starting re doing her hair! When she was done, she put away the comb, the phone and kept the umbrella opened agains the wind in the shield mode, and her hair intact! Gemini maybe?

So yes. I, you, any other than a Roman, would have thought that's odd. But if you do your research and study a bit of Roman Umbrellistic History, you'd know that umbrellas in Rome have been used since the very old days of the Empire, and never to stop the rain. Aha! And because they were not used to protect oneself against the rain, they are supposed to have had great designs and decorations, even with semi and precious stones. Also, a good lady would never carry her own umbrella, but her slave/servant/help would. And that was an honour for the latter one.

Another thing I noticed is that there are so many more men than woman.But really. First I thought it might just be that lucky day. And I started observing. Really. Much more men than woman. Which instantly made Rome a much better place on earth ! And then I couldn't sleep without knowing the exact official ratio. Of course I googled it. And either officials in Rome are on acid, or population is actually a sad 0.93men/women. Disappointing night that was, nothing a good italian red couldn't wash away.
And also I noticed there is a lot of people +30yrs and -6yrs. But where are all the rest in between? God knows? Haven't even seen schools. Maybe coz the don't have schools all roman youth went to far away lands where they can learn how to parlare inglese? Bizarre social demographics.

Reasons to love Romans:
(Other than the sweat suits)

**Because in Rome, love matters

**They make out in the streets in the lift in the restaurant in the stairs and anywhere you can possibly imagine, which leads me to think, that they actually make out in many more places, places that I can't even think of, because just thinking of holding hands in public is kind of confusingly not right. (And yeah, sometimes, they are both wearing a his and hers sweat suit!)

**Ask anyone for directions, they'll be thrilled (but only on Sundays, Mon-Fri they will send you to hell) to talk to you. When they realize you are all like 'non capisco' they will ask you "you speak English?" YES! You reply, brightening up and harbouring hope, figuring you'll finally get something useful out of them. But no. That's the only English line they've learnt and they just keep speaking perfect fluent lovely hot romantic Italian, and when they're done, all happy and brightened up themselves they just tell you "yeah you are welcome". Back to square one. You keep loving them: for trying. (And being hot)

**Walk into a cafe and say 'buongiorno' smiling at everyone. Order in broken Italian. They will gather up around you to hear you attempt it. When you are done they clap and celebrate you like you are Il Papa Francesco impersonated. 'Brava brava!!' And when the order comes, you realize they were just being kind. Food is def not what you ordered and when you try to explain them they are like 'yes yes enjoy' and let you eat it in peace what you very gracefully (didn't) order.

**They are the only country in the world that upon hearing you are from Argentina, they smile and say 'comme il papa Francesco' rather than 'Messi/Maradona'. And no, I'm not even within the religious bunch, but that kind of recognition makes me happy.

**Gelaterias are conveniently located EVERYWHERE (like pubs in UK) Opened year round. And gelatos are always borderline orgasmic.

**They sure do know how to make cars... Who doesn't love a FIAT500?

romans and their tracksuits