TranQuil Time with My Bestie

The person I've spent the most time with the past few days is definitely Rick Steves. While I remain completely in love with Anthony Bourdain (#silverfox), Rick appeals to the Barefoot Contessa side of me who enjoys the finer things and speaking in a quiet voice.

Rick has the doughy, simple appearance of someone who is either a very trustworthy Lutheran or a pedophile. I've gotten to know Rick well enough through PBS to say that it's the former.

Since getting sick, I have especially cherished the hours Rick and I spend together waiting for my NyQuil to kick in. (Side note: thank you, makers of NyQuil.) I use the two hours between when my eyes adjust/ the glasses help and when my eyes get tired/ the glasses hurt, to read Rick Steves' Guide to Rome. Mind you, this particular edition was recommended to me by a very nice individual who used to live in Rome. I'd address her by name, but she's one of those people who I tell strangers that I'm friends with (i.e. "oh, my friend's sister goes to school there!), but who doesn't actually know me...

Anyway.

I've gotten so lame that I underline pieces of Rick's advice that I find particularly useful or cool. (It's clearly time for classes to start.)

For example, from Ricky: Two thousand years ago, the word "Rome" meant civilization itself. Everything was either civilized (part of the Roman Empire, Latin- or Greek-speaking) or barbarian. Today, Rome is Italy's political capital, the capital of Catholicism, and the center of the ancient world.

I can't decide if I want to go to a papal audience while I'm here. I'm not Catholic, but I can appreciate how special it would be to see the Pope. I told this kid in my Italian class who's been going to Mass every Sunday that I want to go with him one week. Potentially bad idea?

Fact: Romans consume enough wine to average one bottle per person per day. How interesting!

Vatican City is the world's smallest country.

Another: The salute with the right arm raised, flat palm down (later used by Nazis), was also Roman. More hygienic and quicker than a handshake, it fit the dynamic character of fascism.

Rickrick and I have very compatible views about the value of travel. We think that travel teaches new ways to measure quality of life. Even before I had the opportunities to do much, I have been a big believer in travel and the education it provides. Everyone prioritizes things differently, and I personally put travel extremely high on the list of what is important.

Wait, who am I. I'm totally going to become that person who conflates a life epiphany with a chocolate croissant. Sorry.