Updates from Rome

Aspirational Version of Scott (“Handsome Scott”) walking through Rome on New Year’s Day

I decided to save my mailbag for next Monday because it’s near year’s day, and I think people are, like me, wanting to take it easy today. On those days, I worry the more substantive content is going to get lost, so instead I thought I’d tell you about my visit to Rome.

I’m here to meet with some people about a possible project and decided to come here a few days early. I’m excited about the project, and may share a little about it, but at the moment, I prefer to keep some things close to the chest until they’re far enough along.

I slept on the plane, and when I got to my airbnb at noon, I slept until 6pm. I continue to think the problem with my sleep is twofold: my mattress and needing black out shades. The European mattresses are often much simpler, firm but some kind of memory foam too. I’ll ask my host but when I get back, that’s what I’m getting. If it’s possible for me to sleep this much, I’m wanting to get it back.

I went out last night for New Year’s Eve and everything was packed where I am, but then I found this place with a prix fixe menu for a higher price, but which looked like a memorable experience for new years, so I went in. Here’s some pictures. I wish I had known any of the Italian music that was planing as the night progressed to New Year’s Eve, as the reveling was fun even without it, so I can only imagine how much fun it would’ve been with it.

New Year's Eve in Rome

I am going to go take a walk after this on the Tiber River. I asked ChatGPT to help me come up with one goal. When I travel, rather than sight see, I just decide on one single goal — somewhere to walk and then just be lazy day on the way there. Here was my prompt:

“I need a goal tomorrow. A big goal from where I’m located. On foot. Interrupted by cafes, book stores, but otherwise walking along the river and the neighborhoods. Where should I go? I want to go somewhere that will mean a lot to me. But the walk and the people walking will mean a lot to me. I want to read too. Here I am [I showed him a screenshot of my location on google maps]. Remember I’m a romantic. Spiritual. Christian. But not Catholic. I’m an economist. The stories of particular people and how they fit with a broader stories mean more to me than pictures. Here i am, and it’ll be January 1st.”

I told it then my address and here’s what it gave me. I asked for images of each thing to inspire me as it helps me to see pictures too. I originally thought I would be waking at 4am, but no, I woke at 11am.