"When did you arrived?"

"Two days ago."

"And you haven't tour the city?"

"I haven't been any far than 2 kilometers."

I have become less adventure since my purse got stolen on my last day in Bandung, just a day earlier before i flew to Rome. In one day, I settled everything before I departed. I left my heart in Bandung and wasn't keen to see Rome if not because of work.

"Be careful with pick-pockets"
My brother reminded me that night when i had to borrow money from him.

"So, your camera got stolen?"
I asked my new Iranian friend.

"Yes, at the end of my tour. All those photos i took of Rome are all gone..sigh"

"Look, i could use my camera to photograph you in Rome. You're familiar around. At least i won't be touring the city alone."
I needed a company to escape from the Circle of Clodio. The Iranian looked like a nice friend and was my only way out.

"Prepared for the long walk then."

I went up to the hotel rooftop in one of my solo evening in Rome. There were empty chairs and common view of the Italy local neighborhood. "A week ago I was touring Bandung. Now here i am in Europe", thinking back, I said to myself. Still, there wasn't much eager in me being in Europe. The month went fast I couldn't even breath. A few days before Bandung was my engagement ceremony. Be it in this foreign country alone with language i am not used to, it was just the privacy that i needed after a very long week. My only English chat was with the front-desk receptionist wearing a handsome uniform all the time. I had to speak Italy only to the old woman who sold iron not far away from the Hotel. The service was quite strange here. I ate a lot with the free breakfast, hoping to survive for the whole day. There were not many restaurant to dine. The Pizzas in the 2 kilometers range were not tempting at all.

Sitting on that empty chair in that quiet evening, breathing in the air of Rome, I paused myself and think of my past and future. Looking back, my past were full of adventures, the kind that i think should be enough. Looking ahead, my future was hard to predict if I were to play it differently.

Time is ticking. But I do not want to rush this time.


Walking Rome in digital on April 2008.