Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Spring in Rome.

It’s Spring!!

After living in Los Angeles for over ten years I forgot what Spring is like. In L.A. it’s no big deal. Really. Except for a few rainy weeks in February one wears open toe shoes year round in L.A. so there isn’t the same euphoria.

When I lived in New York City the first warm day after a long freezing winter I would walk up to Central Park along with half of Manhattan. You could feel the energy in the air shift. Going out at night, more daylight, new Spring clothes, it was fun (until my darn allergies kicked in).

True, despite the plethora of fur one sees here, it doesn’t get that cold in Rome. However, this was one of the coldest winters in Europe hence my excitement that it is OVAH.

Trees are budding, the winter coasts are gone, some crazy tourists are wearing T-shirts, flip flops and short shorts (hello, it’s not that warm yet) and the outdoor cafes are packed.

It seems like overnight the amount of tourists just quadrupled. High season starts this week. Fun.

Already friends of mine are asking me what I’m doing this summer. Let’s see, I don’t know how I’m paying my regular rent this summer. Therefore I don’t think I can plan to rent a place by the sea or in the mountains at this point.

I switched over my closet and some of my spring clothes are a little snug. Ha. I need to lay off the darn prosciutto. I can’t hide in winter layers anymore.

I met a friend at the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna to see the Twombly exhibit (more on that later). I cut through Borghese Park. It was a beautiful day.



I happened to see this little park, Villa Aldobrandini, off Via Nazionale. There were all these orange trees and camilla bushes. I was surprised to find this place next to such a busy street. I was looking for the church St. Peter’s in Chains but got lost and found this instead

9 comments:

dorinalouise said...

new york is blooming too! it does feel great after a cold winter . .

Ciao Chow Linda said...

You're making me all warm and fuzzy for Rome. I love that little gazebo in Villa Borghese.

Eleonora Baldwin said...

Seeing my city through your eyes makes me understand how very lucky we are to be living here. Ciao and grazie.
PS: laying off prosciutto is a sin!

Unknown said...

I am so excited about SPring here in Washington - the first weekend was perfect, and I went to see the cherry blossoms - now it's pouring, but at least it's not quite as cold anymore.

Kataroma said...

I used to love spring in New York. So delicate and beautiful - I used to always go to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens to check out the cherry blossoms and lilacs.

Here in rome there only seem to be two seasons, winter (a little chilly) and summer (roasting!!!) Spring lasts around 2 weeks if that. But I'm enjoying this little interlude before the temp hits 35and life becomes sticky and uncomfortable. :(

nyc- maybe you haven't been here long enough to realise that no one rents beach houses - their family owns them! :) This is how Italians manage to spend at least 4 weeks at the beach every year working on their tans while earning 800-1000 euros a month.

erin said...

I know! Don't you just LOVE when spring comes out fully...it always makes me smile when I walk outside on days like that!

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

dorina - very nice.

ciao chow linda - I've been going to this park for a year and just found it. ha

lola - you're welcome. I would hate to commit a sin. ha

city girl - spring in DC is very nice too.

kataroma - I love lilacs. I'm trying to forget that summer follows spring! Last summer was bananas. My friends who were asking about renting a place were expats. My Italian friends already have their summer plans squared away and I'm more than happy to be a guest. That is something I can afford. haha

That said, it would be nice to go in with my friends and get a place in Sperlonga for a week or so. Oh well, maybe next year.

erin - Like Kataroma said the hot weather will be here soon, so need to enjoy the next few weeks.

Tracie P. said...

beautiful pics!! it's really getting pretty around here too...i LOVE the gelsomino :)

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

tracie b - I do remember Spring in Austin being very nice. I would go to Barton Springs Park before it got too hot.