“All
these places had their moments
With lovers and friends I still can recall”
This creamy, silky, steaming cup of cappuccino is a ritual
of mine whenever I have visited my favorite city in the world. It’s enjoyed
every morning, in exactly this spot, every single time and always outside.
Often times I’m there as the restaurant is turning over it’s chairs and the
market people setting up their offerings.
Some may think that I lack imagination for being so
routine in a historic place. For me, it is anything but that. This particular cup
has been enjoyed alongside some of the most special people I could ever know
and reminds me of how very lucky I am in my life.
I am talking about Rome and this is Campo dei Fiore.
This city, this cup, this spot, this feeling… the warmth
and calm never elude me.
It’s not about the coffee exactly. It’s about the moments
in time you allow yourself to just be and take in all the present has to offer.
You feel it in your soul and know you’re creating something special with the
people around you, friends or strangers. I’ve learned this here, in this spot
with this cup. Take time to slow down. Be the observer and just watch it all
come alive!
I’ve been to Rome on four occasions. However, it was the first
one, with my mother, where my communion with this culture, it's people, began.
Carving out and sharing a small piece of our day, every day, as the piazza
began to bustle took us back to a simpler time.
Watching the “slow” life happen around us became a morning
ceremony of sorts, each and every time we returned to Rome. These were quiet
moments when none of us needed to speak, each leaving the table by ourselves,
when the spirit moved, to explore and be totally drawn in by the people selling
their food or the locals who were doing their daily shopping.
I visited this woman each morning.
She was bundled up in a wool sweater against the morning chill and she trimmed
artichokes. Each morning I would stop, watch and smile at her. She always
smiled back. It became our thing and each morning our smiles became wider!
Cappuccinos in Roma make the world’s best milk mustaches!
This week’s prompt was to write a 400 word memoir piece in which one of the following features prominently–wine, coffee, or chocolate.
I can’t wait to read these savory, stimulating, and sweet stories from your life.
Remember—memoir must be true—
16 comments:
Gina I envy you. I've never been to Europe but I'd sure love to eat and drink my way thru Italy!
Lovely. Your post is just more fuel for my desire to get to Italy. :) (I lived in Germany years ago but never made it south.)
So glad you linked. I was going to let you know about it but Loved this - milk mustache and all. My comment to you the other night made me participate today. ;-)
That is the best thing about Italy, Jen...the food and the wine are both amazing! I lust for travel. I would go in debt (maybe) for travel so I've done it since I was able to apply for a credit card! I hope you make it there one day then come back and write about it :-)
I've only flown through Germany except for a few nights in Munich. Would love to get back there.
Go! I will keep going back and back and back...so long as the banker (hubby) agrees. Or I'll just take my mom again and who can turn that down?
I thought of your love as well! This one was right in my wheelhouse!
I could talk about cappuccino, wine and Italy forever and ever!
Going over to read yours now!
So glad you shared this. Italy is number one on my bucket list, and like a commenter said above, I wouldn't mind drinking and eating my way through the Italian countryside. Everything about your story makes me want to be sitting there at the exact table drinking cappuccino. Thanks for sharing this part of a special memory.
Hi Mary,
I hope you can check that one off your bucket list. You will thoroughly enjoy making your food and wine trek through that country!
I have to count the number of days, in total, that I have sat at that table in that exact spot with that creamy stuff...must be about three weeks worth, at least. It's a magical place for me and happy you enjoyed it through my post.
Gina
I think that's why I adore coffee so much...the heat of the beverage forces you to sit a spell, and notice.
There's so much to ritual. You capture this so nicely.
A lovely piece on the communal nature of coffee...and I love the smell of coffee can bring back memories as well. Thanks for sharing!
- barbara @ de rebus, via write on edge
One of these days I'll make it over to Italy. There are certain things that we don't do as well in the states as elsewhere and I think the outdoor cafe is one.
Got a million memories from sitting outside in Jerusalem or the beach on Tel-Aviv in settings that sound similar to what you described.
"It’s about the moments in time you allow yourself to just be and take in all the present has to offer."
I love that sentence, and the descriptions of Rome. Beautiful!
That's it EXACTLY! You have to sit with the ceramic cup and steaming hot coffee. Then, why not just have a look around!
Thanks for reading, Nancy!
Oh the smell can wake me from a solid slumber, for sure! It is full of memories for me. Thanks for stopping by, Barbara!
I, whole heartedly, agree with that statement! Slow it all down, in my opinion.
I have heard Jerusalem and the beach in Tel-Aviv are beautiful places. I love to travel so someday..........
That sentence makes me think of Rome and reminds me to slow things down at times to just enjoy! Thanks for enjoying Rome with me!
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