Day 21

Day 21 September 4, 2010


Oh my goodness, I am so so so so tired!!!!!!!!!!!

We (Me, Tamara, Ana, Tamir, Diego, and Tomas) met at Termini station at 9.00 this morning. All of us were still sleepy but excited for a beautiful day at the beach. It was already getting hot in the city so we were especially keen on going to the water today.

As soon as we were all gathered together we headed to Ostia, about an hour train ride outside of center-city. The train ride was alright. It was dirty, hot and crowded. There wasn’t much to see outside the windows. But we were in good company and happy to know that we were going to have a good day together.

And we knew that it WAS going to be a good day as soon as we stepped off the train platform. The weather was amazing! The air was so fresh! As we started walking closer to the beach, we could catch glimpse of water but kept asking one another, “is that the ocean or a swimming pool because it looks so blue and so clean!” Sure enough, it really was the ocean! Ah bellisima!!

The surprising thing is that we had to pay to get onto the beach. Well, technically, we paid to rent cabanas for the day….but they wouldn’t allow us on the beach unless we had at least one of these cabanas (changing rooms). We ended up getting two, one for the girls and one for the boys. I think it was about 5.50Euro each. Initially we all complained a little bit about having to spend the money, but in the end we made good use out of those rooms. We changed comfortably and had a place to lock away our valuables without worrying about them.

Then we headed straight for the sand, testing out the water, and settling in. It was about 10.30 and really it was the most beautiful weather. I wish that I took pictures but I totally forgot about it. Boo! The boys straight away went into the water and went for a swim. The girls stayed behind and laid out, chatting lazily and watching people walk by. After a little bit the boys joined us and we all sat or lay down and drifted into our own worlds, occasionally saying a few words to one another.

After a couple of hours we started getting restless and hot and decided to go in the water. At first we all went in, but shortly after Ana went back to keep an eye on our towels and things. (It was sweet that Ana came to the beach with us because she just kept saying how much she didn’t like sand and water. She really did just come for the company.)

The water was really nice. No waves really, at least not like we have in San Diego. Just some small bumps that were too lazy to even attempt to curl and splash. Oh, speaking of splashing! The boys thought it would be funny to start a splashing war. Ooooh!! It wouldn’t have been so bad if Tamir and Tomas didn’t decide to gang up on me and get me from both sides! It was awful! And so much fun!!! But the ocean here is so much saltier. I don’t know how much I ended up drinking during that “war” but enough to get a bit of a stomach ache! Yeesh! But I must still have a little kid in me because I would do it all over again! Ha ha ha!

The water begins very shallow and then abruptly the ground falls away. It was a bit of a surprise how quickly it changed. I was floating along and enjoying the water and the sun and then I heard Diego calling me. He and Tomas were about half a mile further out in the water and standing up! I immediately started swimming out with Tamir and Tamara following. The ocean floor came back up so that we were standing in a sand bar. It was so neat to feel like we were standing in the middle of the ocean. Maybe we were further out than I thought because the people on the beach seemed so small and the sail boats seemed much closer to us. Needless to say, that silly-crazy-full-of-happiness-grin was glued to my face. I wanted to stay out there forever. But our skin started to prune and we were getting tired running around in the middle of the ocean….and we still had to make the swim back to shore….it is a good thing that swimming in is so much easier.

Once again we lay down on our towels and quieted down. But it was after noon and the play in the water made us hungry so it was time to get lunch. We ate simply, sandwiches and salad. And then we all drifted off into sleep or reading our books.

We decided to leave around 17.00 and slowly got our things and selves together. The train ride back was much quieter than the morning transit but we all still had the peaceful contentedness of the day among us. We made plans to all meet each other again later in the evening (around 22.30) for some drinks and music. Once we returned to center-city Tamir and Diego went to their respective homes to rest while Tamara, Ana, Tomas, and I found a restaurant near Termini and had dinner.

I was on the bus heading to Tamara’s place to get ready for the evening when I received a phone call from….Mama, Baba, Haila, and Luma!!!! It was Mama and Baba’s anniversary and I was very happy that they called me! I just now realized that I don’t know what they ended up doing on Saturday to celebrate the day. I still find it odd that I was coming to the end of my day while you were starting yours! What did you all do? It was so nice to hear everyone’s voices and do a quick catch up. I can’t believe I have been gone so long! I miss everyone so much but am having such a wonderful time here that I haven’t had a chance to get homesick yet. (Except for when I was sick…and then I was feeling sorry for myself all around.)

The evening didn’t go quite as planned. After such a tranquil day we were all hoping to spend an equally calm evening. However, people starting inviting people, who in turn invited more people. Our simple group of five (Tomas was not going to join us) somehow turned into fifteen. And then these “other” people decided that our original plans were not good enough and that they had a better idea. And we foolishly just went along with them. I should have either said I’m going to stick to my original plan or said I’m going home…..But no, I was too curious to see what was going to happen and went along. We ended up walking for about 2 hours to some place by Tevere (Tiber river) were we spent 10.00Euro on a drink each! What?! We sat there for a while and then walked back. It was way past all of our buses by the time we returned to our meeting point. I had to see both Tamara and Ana safely off in taxis before Tamir walked me home. Thankfully my apartment wasn’t too far and I had a safe escort!

But after such a loooooong day……Io molto stanco!!! Bona note!!! (I am very tired!! Good night!!!)