The Pitfalls of a Beautiful Day

Yesterday, as I think I've mentioned, was a gorgeous day, which I spent wandering the Forum. While I can't think of a better use for my time than that, I went to bed last night sporting a vicious sunburn, leaving a pale outline of my tank top. It is slightly better this morning, thanks in no little part, I think, to my liberal consumption of aqueduct water. Today, in contrast, is overcast, and very nearly cool, temperature-wise. I woke up late this morning (probably still a bit jet lagged) to find the students here taking their final right outside my room. My bleary eyed stumble out of my room must have surprised them, because I don't think any of them realized I was sleeping there. Though I would have liked to take a shower, I went on a walk to pick up an early lunch instead. This is not altogether bad, since today is very humid, and my hair dryer and I had a minor disagreement that ended with a small scale explosion. Needless to say, the hair dryer will not be coming home with me. The dastardly machine may have had the last laugh, however, as my hair now frequently looks like I have been licking batteries, or letting small rodents nest in it.

I finally returned to Carini Pizza for lunch, where Mario still runs the show, and had an old favorite, proscuitto cotto e patate. While munching on it, I walked down Via Carini, to check if the Kebab place was still there. Thankfully, it remains, and I have visions of it appearing in my near future, say, around dinner time. The Carabinieri were out in force on Carini, and I almost hoped that another car had exploded. Too amazing to happen twice, however, so it is my deduction that three of the Carabinieri needed a lunch break, and twelve Carabinieri had to accompany them, just in case. They make an art of standing around, and it is a well documented fact that Carabinieri have to do everything in groups of at least 6, including smoke cigarettes, guard a door, and help me up from the ground in Tarquinia. I can't complain, though, because they look so dapper in their Valentino-designed uniforms.