Italia Arriviamo! (7.31.24)
Turning On Roaming.
We are bound for Rome in a few weeks. I had originally planned to release a series of essays with my latest reflections on AI during this time, but I’m going to bump that series to September. For August, I plan to journal our experiences in Italy. Here are three reasons I’m doing so, three things I’m looking forward to, and three things I’m concerned about.
Why?
1. Journaling summer vacations is a family semi-tradition. Typically, the farther we fly, the stronger the impetus – and this will be our first trip outside the US since before COVID. It might be fun to capture reflections in real time – so as not to overly tame the rawness of it.
2. I’ve never been to Rome. It’s my inaugural trip and I don’t know what to expect. Since a fresh experience could awaken something, it would be a shame not to capture it.
3. The temptation is always to show the glittery side of life. But that is one-dimensional and false. Will I find or experience something not just exciting, but also real and true? If so, I would like to share some of it with you.
Anticipation
1. Zach’s favorite food is pasta, and Ben has become a gastronome. I hope it will be a memorable food trip for them. If it is for them, it will be for me.
2. We haven’t encountered a new culture together as a family since Japan (2018). The kids are much different now. I’m curious what new dynamics we will discover – the ways we will learn and grow.
3. With so many amazing things to see, you would think a flea market doesn’t hold a candle. But I love a good rummage, so Porta Portese makes the itinerary. Something vintage (1978-85) Italian Star Wars would be a plus.
Trepidation
1. Zach doesn’t do air travel well now that he’s older. I hope he has a good flight.
2. I put a lot of effort into planning out the daily itineraries and attraction tickets. I hear horror stories of cancelled tickets, the summer heat, and petty crime. I hope none of it comes my way – but I’ll try to roll with the punches.
3. I don’t really want the trip to end, even though it hasn’t even begun. A week after we return, we drop Zach off at college. Kleenex, please.
On a more sober note, I do hope you are getting some time off this summer.
Whether it's a staycation or a bucket list trip matters less than the mentality with which you approach it. We have taken long trips only to be miserable, and short trips we'll never forget. The most important destination is the one in your head - show up the right way and love the people you are with, and it will all be good.
- J
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Enjoy the trip, Justin! I’d recommend at least one day trip, perhaps even 2, outside of Rome. Doesn’t even matter where you go, but I think you may find Rome too packaged and insufficiently authentic. Ostia is close and different enough. If part of your joy in traveling is learning about a country’s culture, you’ll need to venture out of Rome itself to experience that.
Best!