1 month anniversary in Rome: pony rides and date nights

When we first stepped off the plane I didn't think we'd last a week, let alone a month (for reference see my earlier post about the cat carrier and exploding stove). But living in Italy is like her wonderful rosso vino - it gets better with age. In one month we accomplished much - all from God's good grace. We were able to get: permanent cell phones, Internet, Italian living documentation, a motorino, a car, and our UAB (unaccompanied baggage). The car was an answer to prayer, and will be the subject of its own entry. We took day trips to Naples, Pompeii, Capri, Sorrento, and Orvieto. The month was slammed pack.

We're now starting to get comfortable (even without our real bed or couch - they are still over the Atlantic). The other day after church we walked from Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina (the piazza where are church is) all around the heart of eternal Rome. We actually knew where we were most of the time! To the north was Piazza del Popolo, to the east was the Spanish Steps, and to the south was Piazza Venezia (more commonly known to locals as the wedding cake). We walked down around the Colosseum and took a cab home. If you don't know any of the locations I just mentioned - watch "Angels and Demons" - you'll learn. The day was great not because we did any one thing amazing; it was great because we didn't. After a wonderful church service with good christian fellowship we had a leisurely stroll around the city. Nothing earth-shattering, but it proved to us we could enjoy the city without being tourists.

A concern we had coming over here is what Kate and Reid would do while I'm at work. What a wonderful blessing that we've found great parks close by. Each one has its own niche. Villa Borghese is large and half way between our house and the historic section of the city. It's got a zoo for Reid, quaint duck pond where you can rent romantic row boats, and its littered with ancient statues and fountains. Villa Adda is great for running (although I haven't had the initiative to go running yet), and has a large kid-friendly playground for Reid. There's another park on a hill that has a great view of the city, with a cafe' right next to a playground. Finally there's Villa Gloria which has the Pony Cafe'. It's called the Pony Cafe' because it's a little cafe' right next to a corral that gives pony rides. It also has a playground right next to it. A favorite Saturday morning activity has become Kate and Andy enjoying a cappuccino in the cafe' while Reid plays and goes on a pony ride. Pretty convenient...

To celebrate our official one-month, Kate and I had our first date night (thanks to a wonderful babysitter we found). Italy's a romantic city - we did it right. First we drove around the historic section of the city in our motorino. It was Kate's maiden voyage, and she held on tight. We drove through the roman walls, past the trevi fountain, and around the Colosseum. Next we zipped over the river (I can use the word 'zipped' because we were on the motorino), passed the Angel Castle (again you have to see 'Angels and Demons'), and parked in Trastevere (a young, crowed part of town with more locals than tourists). The night was fantastic and the weather was perfect. We had dinner in this open-air, back-alley restaurant that reminded us of lady and the tramp. Musicians stopped by and played for tips. We topped off the with a gellato and a daring ride back home on the motorino.

Looking back on this month, I can see how the days may be long but the years fly by. I have no doubt that I'll be writing an entry three years from now asking myself "where did the time go?" There's just so much I want to see, and so much I want to do. As my friend Ryan said - "you can eat out every night and still not go to every good restaurant" (note that they don't have kids yet, so they can afford it). But it's true, there's a lot to see, do, and eat. But there's something to say about just enjoying life and not always being on an emotional high; finding that middle ground. The challenge will be finding contentment during the middle ground. Every day can't be date night for the parents or pony rides for Reid. When the pony rides and date nights do come, however, it's best to be thankful and enjoy them.