Another winding walk today—this time down the stairs rather than up to the park. I had a few various goals: to see the turtle fountain Jim Ackerman told us about the other night; to buy some whole-grain flour and some nuts at Canestro; to see some new narrow streets; and, if possible, to find chocolate chips for cookies.
When I stepped out onto Via Angelo Masina, our street, I saw a bunch of men way up high in the trees. It was a tree-trimming class! (Later, all fifteen or so of them were packed into the little Academy bar smelling of beer and sweat and sap—quite a different crowd from the usual.)
I walked the now-familiar route down the two sets of steps to Trastevere, and then across Ponte Garibaldi and off to the right, into the Ghetto. I found the turtle fountain—a beautiful, delicate image of humans helping animals—or doing something balletic with them, anyway.
Here was a little, covered-over door. Why was it made so small?
There are mysteries here in this city. Often, there are explanations, but often, those explanations present more mysteries, or at least curiosities.
I never found any chocolate chips—after looking and asking in four stores!
The Roving Locavore 