The Mid-Lifers

For my 50th birthday, I went back to Rome— this time with a girlfriend — ready to dig even deeper in the city that stole my heart. 

We stayed in an Airbnb in an ancient building just steps from the Pantheon, and for a few days, I felt like a true Roman.  We gravitated toward areas where Romans actually live — lingering over coffee in quiet piazzas, sitting a little longer at dinner - especially by the Pantheon - simply because we could. We visited the ruins of the Baths of Caracalla and strolled along the Appian Way. Rome began to feel less like a place to see and more like a place to experience.

On a rainy afternoon, we spontaneously boarded a train to Florence to wander the leather markets and pick up gifts for the unlucky family members left behind.

Exploring Rome with a close girlfriend expanded my ability to see the deeper corners of my favourite city. Venturing beyond the typical tourist spots was pure joy. My desire to immerse myself in Roman life and culture remains strong.

While I now feel ready to explore what else the world has to offer, my heart will always belong to Italy.  And I know I’m still not done.