When walking around Rome today, I saw a woman leaning out the window of her home, leisurely smoking a cigarette. Her building was a rusty orange, faded from wear and repair. She looked down below to the cobblestone streets as visitors passed through. That’s when she caught me taking a picture of her.
It was a moment too great not to capture. I wanted to be her.
Not that I wanted to be hanging out of my window, smoking a stick of carcinogens –- I hate everything about cigarettes.
I just wanted to feel the level of life she was living. She looked so calm, like she didn’t have a worry about her. She watched as locals and tourists alike navigated the streets below. She looked like she had no where to be and all the time to soak up her surroundings.
That is something I think Italians do best.
Whether it be visits with friends and family, meals or a glass of wine, Italians make it a point to not rush and relish in the moment.
Today, I also learned that this habit translates to Italian’s work.
We visited Art Attack, an advertising company, and La Repubblica, a newspaper. When hearing them talk about their jobs, they seemed invigorated and extremely passionate. You can tell by their work that they take a lot of time and care.
Not only was Art Attack really interesting because they create amazing advertising campaigns and videos for businesses and nonprofits, but also for their efforts outside of advertising. They consider themselves the first “benefit corporation,” which means that they focus a lot on sustainability inside and outside of their office. For example, they do not use plastic, they treat people fairly, they offer a better price for nonprofits, and they teach others how to be more sustainable.
One of their goals they said is to “make sustainability look cool,” and I really respect that. Art Attack truly wants to make Rome a better place to work and play.
At La Repubblica, I saw that same type of enthusiasm as they work toward innovative ways to tell stories. Between interactive, multiplatform stories online like on the gambling problem in Italy, or their anniversary pieces correlating with the kidnapping of former prime minister Aldo Moro, you can tell that they take a lot of time and dedication to their work. It was inspiring to see the fire in their bellies.
Also, La Repubblica had the cutest lounge area where they meet and conduct interviews – so that was cool.
This evening, I met my cousin and his wife for dinner, and I did my best relish in the moment, just as the Italians do. We ate at a Sardinian restaurant which serves food common to the island of Sardinia, off of Italy. We started with a delicious array of vegetables (my fav) and I had the most amazing mushroom pasta. By the end of the meal, we had quality conversation and dessert, both sweet and worth the wait.
My belly and mind were satisfied, and I didn’t have a worry in the world…
…like the woman in the window.
