Last night in Parma....
Trip Start
May 23, 2005
1
15
22
Trip End
Jun 11, 2005
Parma, Italy
Monday, June 6, 2005
I have developed a reputation for laughing at other's distress. Like Justina's anchovy/gorgonzola cheese incident. Or Bridget being chased by a bee and knocking into a bicycle. (It would have been funnier if it fell over). Apparently, I even have an evil laugh to go with my evil actions.
So, today, we were sitting on the campus, eating lunch, when a bird...who had already eaten and digested his lunch, sat above Justina. As the person sitting next to her, I was relieved he didn't choose my head as his toilet. But I thought it was funny, I mean, wouldn't you? The best part was when the other girls were like "oh, its good luck to be pooped on." That sounds like BAD luck to me. But, hey, what do I know?
Personally, it seems like on e of those things moms make up to make you stop crying and forget that there is POOP in your hair. If that is luck, then what constitutes bad luck? Elephant poo? A bum peeing on you? (I saw it almost happen in Columbus, but that is Ohio, you know how they are there)
I did have to keep these opinions to myself, as we didn't have time for Justina to run back home before class, and friends don't remind friends of their poo hair.
We finished class, and Bridget and I did some last shopping and then headed back to the apartment. Jen had a bottle of wine and some appetizers for us, and we ended up walking to this great little restaurant around the corner. Unfortunately, when we got there, it was discovered that I left a pertinent phone number in my apartment, as well as my phone. So, I made a quick walk back to retrieve both so the other members of our class could contact us.
So, I found myself walking through this quiet little neighborhood, at twilight, with the smell of grass and lemon and fish and bread in the air, and felt so..at peace with the world. People rode by on their bikes, grandmas swept up sidewalks, lovers walked hand in hand through tiny alleys. It made me long to give up the rushing and tight scheduling of the world I know to trade for this gentle existence. But, I have a feeling that I am too ingrained in the hustle of life in Chicago and would miss it. I did wish I had someone to share that moment with, but without my phone and the fact that I was in Italy, made that impossible so I selfishly stored it away in my memory box to be revisited when I am stressed with exams or something similar.
After dinner, we met with most of our class in a little square in the center of town and shared bottles of wine and stories. What was intended to be a quick last night, turned out to be a long night into morning sort of day, but well worth it. For me, even better then strolling alone in a beautiful neighborhood is sharing drinks and laughing with a group of friends, competing to make each other laugh, and watching the stars move in the sky in fast forward because you are having so much fun time literally flies by.
I am definitely going to miss this little town, which has gotten under my skin. Never again will I take Parmasian cheese for granted, nor barilla pasta, as both are from here. I came and I learned, and now I am headed for Roma.
