In the late summer of 2006 my twin sister Melanie and her husband Dean came to visit me in Rome, where I was living and working. I had been living in Italy for about 6 months and had an established group of friend who all worked together at one hotel where most of my clients stayed. On a particular day, armed with twin and brother in law, I set out to the hotel to introduce them to my friends.
I was confronted with a reception full of Russian tourists and a strange, bald headed man behind the reception desk. Who is he! I scoffed angrily. I have never seen this man before! Where are my friends?
A few nights later my twin and brother in law had gone back to Australia (they did end up meeting some of my friends) and I went to meet such friends in Campo dei Fiori for a drink or two, or ten. Campo dei Fiori - for those who have never been - is a famous piazza in Rome: by day a market overflowing with flowers and fish, and by night quite the place to be as the whole piazza is filled with bars. My friends and I always went to the same bar, and on this night there was that strange, bald headed man from the hotel with them. We were introduced and he told me his name was Giuseppe, he was from Calabria and was a father of two. He showed me a photo on his children on his phone and yes, they were cute looking things.
As the night progressed, as we drank more and more cocktails, I could not help but to despise this newcomer. Why was he drinking with us when his money should be going to support the children? Where were the children? And the mother? For the rest of the night I ignored him, only giving him attention when I could catch his eye and give an evil glance.
A few nights later I was at the hotel chatting to my friends when I saw the father of 2. We sat down, and I - being a nosey person - asked him where his children were. What? father of 2 said laughing. I was angered by this blatant disrespect for the children, and took his phone, opening it to reveal the children in question. What are you talking about? They are my cousins. I don't have any children!
Bel ragazzo and I used to only speak English (I know, I know, I was living in Italy and should really speak Italian, but I spoke Italian like a baby and was so, so embarrassed to try). The confusion occurred as although Giuseppe could speak English, he had not yet managed to perfect the English tone of sarcasm. The other night at Campo dei Fiori, he did not notice my death stares, or the fact that I was ignoring him, as Giuseppe (who is not that bald really, and did I mention he has a perfect smile displaying perfect teeth? And to top it all off sparkling green eyes? I always wanted to date a green eyed man but they are so hard to find).
I was confronted with a reception full of Russian tourists and a strange, bald headed man behind the reception desk. Who is he! I scoffed angrily. I have never seen this man before! Where are my friends?
A few nights later my twin and brother in law had gone back to Australia (they did end up meeting some of my friends) and I went to meet such friends in Campo dei Fiori for a drink or two, or ten. Campo dei Fiori - for those who have never been - is a famous piazza in Rome: by day a market overflowing with flowers and fish, and by night quite the place to be as the whole piazza is filled with bars. My friends and I always went to the same bar, and on this night there was that strange, bald headed man from the hotel with them. We were introduced and he told me his name was Giuseppe, he was from Calabria and was a father of two. He showed me a photo on his children on his phone and yes, they were cute looking things.
As the night progressed, as we drank more and more cocktails, I could not help but to despise this newcomer. Why was he drinking with us when his money should be going to support the children? Where were the children? And the mother? For the rest of the night I ignored him, only giving him attention when I could catch his eye and give an evil glance.
A few nights later I was at the hotel chatting to my friends when I saw the father of 2. We sat down, and I - being a nosey person - asked him where his children were. What? father of 2 said laughing. I was angered by this blatant disrespect for the children, and took his phone, opening it to reveal the children in question. What are you talking about? They are my cousins. I don't have any children!
Bel ragazzo and I used to only speak English (I know, I know, I was living in Italy and should really speak Italian, but I spoke Italian like a baby and was so, so embarrassed to try). The confusion occurred as although Giuseppe could speak English, he had not yet managed to perfect the English tone of sarcasm. The other night at Campo dei Fiori, he did not notice my death stares, or the fact that I was ignoring him, as Giuseppe (who is not that bald really, and did I mention he has a perfect smile displaying perfect teeth? And to top it all off sparkling green eyes? I always wanted to date a green eyed man but they are so hard to find).
This is not the end of the tale. Once I knew he was not the father of 2 children we did not fall into each others arms, rather more simply we became friends. You'll have to wait for the next edition of Getting together with the bel ragazzo.
2 comments:
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I had to smile over your story.
As for Campo dei Fiori, I stayed in the hotel the first time I was in Rome and consider dei Fiori 'home' when I'm there now. I'm glad your story had such a happy ending :)
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