Staying in an apartment building in a residential area of Rome. We can open the windows and lean out over a courtyard full of stray cats and magpies. It’s nice here.
There is a fitness center within about one minute’s walk. It has a rowing machine. Consistent weight lifting is keeping me sane. I’ve also been walking a lot more than usual because everything is within walking distance. This is good for me, though the summer heat is putting me in something of a fight or flight response I think. Therefore it is better to walk in the evening after it cools down outside.
We are able to walk to the nearest grocery store which is about a ten minute walk. Been cooking at home often. Pasta, bread, vegetables, parm, caprese salads.
There is a café across the street – which, incidentally, is paved with cobblestones. The routine is to have a cappuccino and croissant there in the morning. The people who work there are friendly and kind. Patrons sit outside and smoke and drink coffee.
Also across the street is a public market which is open every day. Stalls covered in street art and graffiti. People selling vegetables, bread, wine, fish, clothes, household items.
We have a good place to stay.