From Rome: Hail to the Chief...

While on the train this afternoon it was a treat to admire all the lovely sunflowers which are now in full bloom here in the fields of Lazio. All the while I was thinking about this morning how a complete stranger approached me on the street and thanked me for the blog. Charmed was I as one might imagine!

After a tricky exam today I exited the Dominican University and low and behold, the President of the United States of America was about to drive by! Making a quick dash up to the park overlooking the street called the Villa Aldobrandini (the best place to see presidential motorcades as they make their way to the home of the President of Italy, the Quirinale Palace), I got a few great photos which I will later post.

Ostensibly gathering for the pâté, I've had so many Europeans approach me while at parties and the like only to corner me and then rail on President Bush ad infinitum. Knowing they get most of their formation from the secular media, I simply smile and give a polite nod of affirmation at their energy.

But then when they don't stop, as they often never do, I feed 'em with some good-old-Texan talk like so: "Weller first of all, ya'll better know just one ting and tat is his real name and it ain't no Bush 'cause it's a GW Bush, Junior. I've voted for GW twice. He's the most Catholic president we've ever had. He's a legend, a God-fearing Christian and so's his daddy!"

To end the day then, after ten years, I enjoyed the thrill to enter again into the hallowed belly (measuring room) of the Roman tailor shop Ditta Annibale Gammarelli. Getting measured for a new shirt, one can't help but think of all the holy clergy who were measured in the same little room in the back of the Gammarelli shop. I got some great photos and I'll post them soon.