hair and goodbyes

I am here.  I am at my gate, well near my gate anyway.  There are a bunch of people going to Bukarest in that area now.

I am a few gates down looking out at the HUGE window here.

This is what I dreamed of most of today…getting out of Rome and beginning my trip home.

It is so hectic, being in the airport.  I will have to pick up my luggage in Dublin, even though I was told they would keep it for the 15 hr layover.  I will ask again when I get there.

I have nothing for customs, so I feel better about that.  Why would someone go through all of that just for alcohol or cigs?

I had a great run this morning. I ran down to the big monument and about 2/3 of the way there, I saw the moon to my right.  I ran in the dark by the moon.  As I got closer, I saw the morning star, Venus to my left.  It was intoxicating.  I ran with such joy.  When I got to the end, there are the ruins from Rome.  I ran up the steps and looked out, at the moon to the morning star, to the ruins.   Wordless experience.

I said out loud, "Romans lend my your ears" and did a little speech about peace and democracy.  (It just happened, Idon't know why)    

It was be beyond, beyond.

I sat on one of the nearby stone benches and meditated too.  Ahhh...

I hung out there for about 20 minutes, until it was light and I could hardily make out the morning star anymore.

On my way back to the hotel, I ran back past one of the Egyptian pointing things. (tired, can't think of words)

I ran over to the statue just past the Spanish Steps.  It was along run.  I stopped for my morning espresso macchiato. 

Packing up took a bit longer.  I was excited about having breakfast at the nice place in San lucina.  The man even remembered "no pane"  (I left him a 2 euro tip)

I did a lot of writing when I was there,  lots of thought came to me today.   I was surprised how clear certain things became, about women here, about what I want to take away from Italy and what i am really glad i am not taking back from Italy.

i went to the hair salon, nervous but kind of giggly too.  It was unassuming and small but Fedrico was relaxed and genuine.  None of this "Hello how are you daaarling!" 

I was 15 minutes early and he asked me if I could wait a few minutes as he was finishing up some insurance form online. 

It felt good to sit and relax after my busy morning.  

I asked to use the ladies room…

so i sit down and then, look over to my right and see the toilet.  

I am peeing in the bidet.  Class eh?!   I laughed to myself.  Here I am to get this wonderful haircut in Rome and I am peeing in the bidet.

I felt like I was in a my own comedy film.

 i am hoping the haircut goes better than this.

About 5 minutes later he stands up, looks at me and announces,  "Okay I am all yours now"  

"I wish," I think to myself, this man is very handsome man and speaks beautiful English.  What a perfect combo for me.  

I sit down and we both look at my hair, we both agree, layers and not too short.  It was just us in there and very relaxed. I don't think I have ever had that kind of experience in a salon before, ever!

He cuts as though he were Edward Sissorhands, like an artist who knows where he is going, even though no one else can see the path. 

He keeps feeling my hair, messing it up to see how it moves, then cuts some more. lays,  All the while he is telling me about his time in Calif and his family, 2 boys, life in Rome with his parents, it was great.

He finished up and blow dries it.  

it looks superb…beyond that.  It is the most beautiful cut i have ever had and he is a born hairdresser.  I am spoiled for life NOW.  

People like him really exist, and I thought it was only in my dreams.  Finding people who are good at what they do, it isn't easy, but it is well worth the wait.

I walk out of there, into the Piazza Popolo and  badda-bing badda-boom, I am someone else.  It felt lovely and freeing.

I walked around looking into shop windows just so I could see my reflection, I hardly recognized myself.   An excellent haircut does wonders.

---The next 3 hours were horrible. It was hot and sticky, every place I went to was crowded and I had no place to go as I had already signed out of the hotel and they were holding my luggage.  Finally after walking for far too long, I went back to the hotel and sat outside at one of the tables.  I really didn't want to give them anymore of my money, but I ordered a cappuccino.  

The car service picked me up and off to the airport.  Step one on a long journey home.

---It is almost 7pm and I AM SO GLAD TO BE OUT OF ROME    It was beautiful but it is intense.   I didn't realize what a fishbowl I was in until we finally got out of the city centro.

Umbria is more my style, for future visits.

i am here.  i am on my way home.  

It feels so good…even better than my haircut.

Oh and a good looking man who passed me by in security, called me bella.   That was a nice touch as I was leaving the eternal city.

My flight leaves in 90 minutes.

I wonder if there is someplace to eat around here.  i didn't think to hang out at the main part of the airport.  i just wanted to get to my gate.  which is far away, you have to take a shuttle and then 2 escalators.  people need a boarding pass to be here, so I should be pretty safe.

It feels like a Sunday here, things are closed.

That man on the check in line, said there was going to be a strike here tomorrow at the airport.  Oh i would have cried if things were cancelled.

I should be at the hotel in Dublin by 12:30??  Asleep by 2?  Up at 6?  7-12 walk around?  That sounds good.

I am going home, I am going home, I AM going HOME.