I used to be a little enamored of graffiti, maybe because my two boys came of age as Shepard Fairey was gaining notoriety, maybe because the idea of leaving a mark, any mark, holds presumptive value. There’s rebellion in graffiti. There can be artistry.

But this trip changed my mind. Rome, especially, seemed dirtied and marred by graffiti. It was everywhere.

I came home two pounds lighter even though my carb count was sky high and every day included at least one serving of gelato. Speaks to quality of ingredients, I think. Well, and those 14,000 – 19,000 step count days!

I’m jumping around. Indulge me.

If I’d had more space in my luggage and more disposable dollars, I would have bought some pottery. It was bright, cheerful, and so evocative of the landscape that it would’ve been a nice memento. One cereal-sized bowl I picked up was priced at 65 Euros. Craft worthy of the price — just not for me that day.

I did treat myself to a cheap pair of earrings from L’Accadamie’s gift store.

I’ll end with a movie recommendation. We picked it out because most of it takes place in Rome. That’s the Castel Sant’Angelo. We crossed that bridge! Are those the Spanish Steps? Trevi Fountain with four people at its lip? Sure, a little movie conceit.

It happens to be an uplifting story about second chances — one of my favorite themes. Also, I don’t even know why but I love the actor Bill Nighy. Here he plays a wise soccer (er – football) coach to England’s Homeless World Cup team. Highly recommend, especially if you’ve spent the day reading about Alito and the Orange Menace.

PS forgive the repetition from earlier posts. I can hardly remember what I put in an Instagram story and what here and what nowhere at all, so I need to give myself permission to be repetitive!