I am feeling that insatiable hunger again. Yes, I'm feeling hungry for Italy. I'm an idiot, and I decided to get Il Postino from Netflix, and even though the film doesn't take place in Rome at all, it still makes me long for the city. Just hearing the Italian language makes me want Italy more than eating a good Italian meal does. And I've explained it before, the need to be in Italy, so I won't again, I guess. But I'm just feeling really scared that I won't have a chance to go to Italy for a long time. And the dollar is so weak! That makes it that much harder for budget travelers like S and I. (Especially budget travelers who cannot abide a hostel. Well, I'm that high maintenance.)
And I don't want to compromise, and make the trip less than it should be. Not dear Italy, no. I could compromise on every other vacation we'll ever take, but never Italy. I won't budget less than three good, solid, meals a day. And I won't limit myself to the outlying areas of the city, simply to save money. There is no public transportation in Rome like there is in Paris or London, Barcelona or Munich. So no, I can't make this vacation a super-budget affair like other vacations can be. I think the only places S and I will be going in the near future is Oregon (for a family gathering), CA (where his parents are moving) and Minneapolis, because we have a friend there.
But if I could, I'd be in Italy right now. Right at this instant. Damn me and my need to watch movies set in Italy.
I wonder if you can get Gidget Goes to Rome from Netflix???
Are you open to staying in religious lodgings? There used to be a great book called "Bed and Blessings" that detailed all of the convents and monateries that keep rooms for travelers. Very inexpensive.
Posted by: frog | May 25, 2005 at 08:19 AM