Changes
In 9 years, 9 changes I've noticed in Rome:
1. If you can believe it - there is more graffiti, more trash on the streets.
2. Everything is more expensive. For example, nine years ago Steve found a 3 bedroom apartment with terrace on via della Croce near Piazza di Spagna for 3,000,000 Lire/month (about €1,500). Unfortunately, we didn't take it.
3. General malaise - Romans have never been the most thoughtful or considerate of Italians, but in their more negative state of mind it's gotten worse.
4. Something positive - more organic markets, yoga classes, environmental fairs - extremely difficult to find 9 years ago.
5. Peeking into a pet shop window the other day - I noticed the availability of cat scratching posts. This may not seem like a big deal, but when we first moved here, it used to be a special order item that took several weeks to arrive. Now Ingmar uses tree bark in the garden at The Beehive.
6. Restaurants are adopting a slicker look, but the food is heading more and more below par. Still best to head to your local frumpy and tired looking osteria or trattoria for yummier and cheaper food.
7. The increase in affordable children's clothing and shoe stores. I used to have go to the ends of the earth to find decent shoes for Giulia when she was a toddler and I relied on my trips to the US for clothing.
8. Many more foreigners, but still less integration. It's so refreshing to head to Paris or London and feel, experience and see the multiculturalism. Here in Rome, there is still the mindset by many Romans that if you're from the Philippines than you are a housekeeper, if you are Eastern European, you work as an elderly caregiver and if you are African you sell tube socks or handbags. And let's not even start talking about the gypsies.
9. People are finally using the internet. There's an excellent blog for all happenings in Rome. The city public transit website is the only thing about the system that really works. When I first joined Freecycle Rome - I think I was only one of a handful of members. Now there are 1000+ members and I receive several e-mails a day. The list goes on and on. However, in true Italian fashion - it has now gotten harder to purchase anything over the internet on an Italian website. You must now receive a PIN from your bank for every purchase you make - and of course, it's not easy. My recent purchase for Leonard Cohen tickets had me ready to throw my laptop out the window.
How will the next 9 years be? If you had asked me back in early 1999 what my life would be like now - I would never have believed it. Perhaps I need to call that phone psychic in LA back - the one who told me I was making the right decision to move here.
1. If you can believe it - there is more graffiti, more trash on the streets.
2. Everything is more expensive. For example, nine years ago Steve found a 3 bedroom apartment with terrace on via della Croce near Piazza di Spagna for 3,000,000 Lire/month (about €1,500). Unfortunately, we didn't take it.
3. General malaise - Romans have never been the most thoughtful or considerate of Italians, but in their more negative state of mind it's gotten worse.
4. Something positive - more organic markets, yoga classes, environmental fairs - extremely difficult to find 9 years ago.
5. Peeking into a pet shop window the other day - I noticed the availability of cat scratching posts. This may not seem like a big deal, but when we first moved here, it used to be a special order item that took several weeks to arrive. Now Ingmar uses tree bark in the garden at The Beehive.
6. Restaurants are adopting a slicker look, but the food is heading more and more below par. Still best to head to your local frumpy and tired looking osteria or trattoria for yummier and cheaper food.
7. The increase in affordable children's clothing and shoe stores. I used to have go to the ends of the earth to find decent shoes for Giulia when she was a toddler and I relied on my trips to the US for clothing.
8. Many more foreigners, but still less integration. It's so refreshing to head to Paris or London and feel, experience and see the multiculturalism. Here in Rome, there is still the mindset by many Romans that if you're from the Philippines than you are a housekeeper, if you are Eastern European, you work as an elderly caregiver and if you are African you sell tube socks or handbags. And let's not even start talking about the gypsies.
9. People are finally using the internet. There's an excellent blog for all happenings in Rome. The city public transit website is the only thing about the system that really works. When I first joined Freecycle Rome - I think I was only one of a handful of members. Now there are 1000+ members and I receive several e-mails a day. The list goes on and on. However, in true Italian fashion - it has now gotten harder to purchase anything over the internet on an Italian website. You must now receive a PIN from your bank for every purchase you make - and of course, it's not easy. My recent purchase for Leonard Cohen tickets had me ready to throw my laptop out the window.
How will the next 9 years be? If you had asked me back in early 1999 what my life would be like now - I would never have believed it. Perhaps I need to call that phone psychic in LA back - the one who told me I was making the right decision to move here.
posted by lomalinda at
19:55
1 Comments:
Very true, very true!!! I've been here 10 years and have noticed the same exact things you mentioned.
Thank goodness Internet has finally become a part of life here or I'd still be lining up at the post office to pay bills and whatnot... and we ALL know how unpleasant that can be!
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