Life is Simple

Slowly moving along, everyone here just kinda drift through their lives. Italians stroll through the streets, they don't rush around like we do. So many people have dogs and they walk them around every night with their friends. I think they go out and walk around until they see someone they know and then they are perfectly happy to stop and have a conversation right there in the street. They are so social that way. I love it. It's funny because everyone knows each other and thus they don't know me and can automatically identify me as a foreigner. They stare but do not acknowledge. They look but do not speak. As of now it seems they are content to observe. If i try and smile or say hello i am usually returned with a dismissive look or half muffled, forced 'ciao.' I dont take it personally. I almost prefer it. Rather than just pretending like you are interested in someone's life and putting on a fake smile, which is the default American way, these people wait till they actually know you so then they can offer something genuine. I look forward to the day when i have earned that amount of respect that an Italian knows that I care enough about their culture to care for me. Yet, I am not there yet so until then I am content to float as they do and observe as they do. Life is simple here and i love it. We are going to Rome this weekend. I am now curious to compare the pace between my quite medieval city and the busy business atmosphere of Roma. Rome is one of my favorite places in the world so needless to say I am very excited! And I promise to finally put up some pictures ha!