I have to remember that when I was young (1980s's) we didn't even go out until 10 or 11pm as the clubs stayed open until 4am. (Then we would go to breakfast at the diner, oh NY diner food!)
Today was a special day. I woke up and the only plans I had were to buy paper towels and new sponges. I re-braided the yarn on my doll's head, enjoying the quiet morning. By the way, I call her Belli' (It is not pronounced belly, it is Bel ee') as in bellissimo, as that was one of her characteristics on her tag and I heard it several times last night (and tonight) from people taking near the window. (Even with the glass and shutters closed, I hear every word, clear as day.)
I start my normal routine, tinkle and brushing of the teeth. For some reason, I don't know why, I take a shower. I usually do this later in the morning, after my run. Ah well, not big deal.
I go downstairs and I realize it is new moon today. I realize that I need to go back to the Sant'Angelo church in Perugia. This is not logical, it not verbal, it was more like invisible hands moving me along. I look at the clock for the first time, it is 7:30. I find the train schedule and there is a train at 8am. Great. I get dressed, I put 2 thin braids in my hair (on the sides) even though I have never worn my hair life this before. I put on a blue scarf, what the hell.
I change my shirt and earrings the last minute, I need to be comfortable. It's 7:50. I grab my sunscreen and put some on real quick. Out the door.
I walk quickly to the piazza and look at the clock there, the hands are pointing to 8 and 12. "Shit" I say out loud, even though a man is walking past me. I am pissed I missed it. The next one is at 8:51 and I'll have to change at PSG.
I keep walking out of the piazza, I don't know why I didn't go back to the house, as I left in such a hurray, plus there is a small market day in the piazza.
I figure I will go see if there is anyone working at the station, would I even be able to buys tickets on a SAturday. As I am moseying down Garibaldi Street, about half a block from the train station, I see their digital clock, it reads 7:56. I start running. I get in there and it's the guy who doesn't speak English. I ask for a ticket to Perugia and make a motion of a circle (the universal sign language for 'round trip'). It is 5 euro, all I have is s 20. He is slow getting the change, I feel my heart pounding.
He counts back the money to me and hear a whistle. I turn and run to the train, 3 men near the door make a noise like "ohhhh" but I make it!!!
I sit in the train wondering what the hell is going on today. I had no plans as of 30 minutes ago and now, here I am. It was that kind of day.
I got to Perugia, I found the archeological museum. It was empty as it was only a little past 9am.
What an excellent museum, my favorite so far. I definitely prefer archeological museums to art museums. Old stuff is MY thing. I visited the tombs at the end. Very cool. I took lots of photos.
It was nice today but still a bit windy. I turned my scarf around so the ends were down my back. I liked it. I walked around the city center, I bought 3 postcards for my family, I got a little lost, I ended up back at the Sant'Angelo church, even though my plan was to have lunch first.
I had the church all to myself for almost 30 minutes. I touched all 16 columns. (Half are on stands, the other are not) I took my sandals off and walked on the stone floor. It was surreal. And all the while, my mind was in this place today of being in the moment, not much self-conscious inner talk.
A couple finally came in so I sat on one of the benches near the outer wall. I meditated for a few minutes.(while the woman read out of the tour book) When I left, there were 20 doves on the lawn and they fluttered away as I exited the church. Magical.
I went outside and sat on the grass. I stretched. I filled out the post cards, which had a photo of this church on them. I put a dot and an arrow with the word "me" on the postcards so they could see where I was sitting while I wrote them. (my boys, my mom, and my brother)
I put on the stamps that I bought earlier too. In the shop where I bought the stamps, I was able to buy them without saying "Non parla Italiano". It was easy.
I laid down on my back on the cool grass and looked up at the sky and the wavering tall trees in the courtyard. It was lovely. I felt content. I felt connected to that ground.
Finally I head down the road and took a different path. I got lost, but in a good way. ha ha
Finally back to Maggiore fountain and I grabbed lunch at that kabob place.
I walked past the perugia chocolate place. I went in and asked for one. She seems surprised. It was ,60 euro. I gave her a 10euro bill (it was all I had, I gave my chance to lighting candles, the violin player, and the lady begging for change). She handed me back the 10e bill and said "okay".
A free chocolate. Wippee! As I am walking along that busy via whatever, a middle aged good looking man says to me "Enjoying the chocolate?" He was to my right and a little behind me, I was startled a bit. I said yes and moved to my left, there were tables of jewelry.
I don't know where he came from and where he went. It was just that kind of day.
I went back to that nice place near the expensive hotels and bank of Italy and ordered an espresso (It was about 3:30 now) and one small scoop of pineapple sorbet. (The man behond the counter cna't believe I only want one scoop.)
I walk for a few minutes, I don't know where the day went.
I walk to the train station and grab the 4:30 train back to Umbertide. Ta da!
I am tired but something is keeping me afloat.
I check my email and my friend sent me this 'planet and star' horoscope. (she has sent me maybe 3 of these in the past 2 years)
I colored and underlined the words that were so perfect:
The Sun moves into the sign of Libra on the 22nd and Autumn is officially here. Venus the ruler of Libra is in Leo annd moving toward a Square with Mars in Scorpio. Venus and Mars in square to each other is challenging but also rich. Dare to do it different---let go of the same old patterns---vow to do one thing different everyday. That alone opens doors.
The challenge is growth---compassion. I think the Forces may be demanding it. " Let go or be dragged."
Blessings to you All---- bring some Magic into your Life. its the way through.
-The red words, well you know about the 'door' metaphors I have dealing with.
-The blue words, I bought myself a magnet that says exactly those words for my birthday in April.
-The pink words, well I have written in the blog and into personal emails the word 'magic' many times. It is not a word I normally use at all. "Its the way through," we are back to door aren't we?
Isn't that amazing? What a day. I let myself be led. I let go. Today had no sense of time, it was 'between the worlds' as they say.
There is more about tonight, but I am tired.
Nothing as good as today though, not even close.
More tomorrow. It's 11:30 and it sounds as though the music has just begun in the piazza. I would need a gallon of espresso to make it back out there tonight.
Buena notte. p.s. Twice today, an Italian asked me for directions, am I looking less foreign?
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