Days with Friends in Ostia
It is Saturday and I am just boarding the train from Rome to Florence. The last few days in Ostia on the out skirts of Rome have been a wonderful reconnection with my Roman friends. A friendship made last year as we exchanged houses, I feel so very welcome here and an extended part of the family. I stayed at Fabio's house, on the pull out couch of an apartment furnished in a style that is so close to my taste to be uncanny. Turning up outside just before Fabio's arrival, I had time to take in the surrounding of this beautiful part of Rome. Only 8 km away from the beach the air is warm and laced with the salty aroma of the sea.
The beach at Ostia
A quick note I must remember. For someone like me who has grown up next to the ocean; I am after all from a grouping of islands in the South Pacific. It is a hard transition to call a body of salty water the "sea" instead of the "ocean". As I have met more and more people of the Mediterranean they are all quick to correct my description of the warm beautiful salty water.
My dear friend Fabio
Allora (Italian for So then),
Allora, No sooner had Fabio arrived, I dropped my bags and we were off to his swim practice. I had not realized that I was craving the cool liquid of a pool quite so much. The masters group was welcoming and friendly. My lane mates helping me with the details of each set as the coach called it out. Otto Cinquanta Stile Libero (8 * 50 Freestyle) Otto Cinquanta, Prima Delfino Stile Libero ( 8 * 50 First Butterfly then freestyle). The freshness of the water renewed my body from the afternoon of travel from Geneva. Arriving home Fabio shared some of his mums cooking. Delizioso.
The next day I was able to catchup with the other brother of the Guerrieri family named Simone. He and his wife Barbara are so welcoming I feel part of this lovely family. Catching up on the details of the changes in the lives of these dear friends was wonderful. I enjoy how even as there are stretches of time, friends are able to reconnect with that which drew us together.
A topic of long discussion with Fabio one night after returning from dinner, we delved into the idea of a larger sense of growing consciousness around the world that many seem to be tapping into. That inclusive grouping of people and lifestyles that is seeing collective growth. Even in the era of political divisiveness and the unfortunate ultra nationalist groups, there is a bigger movement in the collective consciousness. I keep meeting people on my travels and in my community who see the world as a place for all of us and that in a future where the lives of every one are better, and when more people are aware and open, we will enjoy a truly better existence.
Over the next few days I worked from Fabio's house during the day and made excursions to the beach by bike in the late afternoon. One particular day I met up with a friend of Simonie and Fabio's to do a little SUP. Danielle, is a tall athletic guy with a gracious welcoming smile. Quickly he got me out on the water. Unfortunately the bummpyness of the wind whipped swell meant I spent most of my time in the warm salty water of the Med. Splashing down from the board and then remounting time and time again. Persistance is a trait I enjoy in my self so I kept trying to get up. Luckily after about 15 minutes Danielle, who must have seen my struggles from the beach joined me on the water to swap out my board with a board that was wider, longer and more stable. He had sent me in the direction of a small break in order for me to catch a few waves. For the next 45 minutes I tried earnestly to catch the waves, with only moderate success. Danielle provided some encouragement while he was catching wave after wave. It was soon time to head back to the beach. Easier said than done. With a side swell, a headwind and a severe lack of skill it took a struggle and a lot of time to reach the beach. After the fun of the beach we met up with Valaria, Danielle's wife for lunch of Pasta con Vongole. It turns out that Danielle and Valaria have lived in Encanitas for a time, a year or so ago and are wanting to return. With all my heart I wish this to be in their future as they became fast friends even over lunch and I would be so happy to have them as neighbors.
Simone, Barbara, and Fabio; my dear friends
Another delightful evening we went to dinner at a resturant situated in the back of an equestrian center called Ristorante La Querida.. Walking in through the farm thick with the smells of horse and hay I took deep breaths. Since the days I first spent in America at Rawhide Ranch as a camp counselor to the many years in Bonsall, the smell of horses and hay is a particular delight. The soft yellow lights of the restaurant invited us in to its rustic ambiance. I can't remember a more charming rustic environment. Reclaimed wood, rustic farm implements turned into tables, huge wine barrels turned to door ways, an indoor olive tree and many many horse themed reliefs adorn this oasis of beauty. I could have just sat and enjoyed this place for hours. When Simone and Barbara joined Fabio and I, they ordered a sumptuous array of appetizers, that made my taste buds dance with every bite. Truly a culinary experience to remember. Along with one of the best steaks I have ever tasted, Tiramisu my brother would die for, I left this place with a satisfied grin and satiety unmatched. An evening spent with my dear friends was such a delight.
My final day in Ostia was a good long work day continuing work on a new swap server prepared for work, a cool dip in a local pool and then an evening of company with friends of my Roman friends. I could have spent many more hours with this group of wonderful people.
The culture of Italy is one that revolves around food. I have not yet fully fallen into the rhythm of my Italian friends. I inquired to how their eating day goes, and was surprised by the specifics. Breakfast is an espresso e coniteei. (Croissant and coffee), about 1 pm is lunch with maybe a snack of fruit in between. Then dinner is not until 9pm. It did not seem like enough food. But when you experience the food you realize the quality of every thing you eat causes a level of satiety not matched with many of the foods i eat back home. The truly special Italian pass time while eating is talking about other foods they have eaten or will eat soon. The talk of food in Italy seems to never end and it is so fun to watch the level of passion and deep discussion friends have while they are currently partaking in a sumptuous meal together. I love this culture.
The morning I left, Simone and Barbara picked me up while on their way to do a little shopping. I have become more comfortable with the sad feeling of missing friends. The heart tug of knowing I will not see my dear friends for a while. The newness of this understanding still strikes me as strange. Strange I did not grasp this concept until recently. I am filled with gratitude for this knowledge and wish I would have recognized it in my youth.
So goodbye to Rome for a while. I will be back soon.
