Before I left Florida last month, my mother gave me a pair of shoes. I took one look at them and knew without a doubt that Diego would have something to say when I got back to New York. Sure enough, he did. Hey, sis. Why does mom think you’re joining a convent? Har, har, […]
Author: ieatmypigeon
Under the Terracina Sun, Act I. Cast of Characters.
SETTING: Modern day. A beachside town in Italy. Beach shacks serving pasta, panini, and ice cream. A rainbow of beach umbrellas. A dead end street with a German name – Via Bad Homburg. A bare, dust-filled apartment, long-fallen into disuse. Act I. Cast of characters.
Terracina, Italia – And What I’m Doing Here
Terracina is a small beachside town in the Lazio region of Italy – Western, central, on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea. There are hills and mountains; beaches and Roman ruins; sailboats and tourists. In the distance, La Maga Circe – a profile-shaped mountain named for the witch of Roman myth – reclines in the sea. The […]
Life in Two Suitcases Under 40kg
Flight to Italy tomorrow morning, early. Taxi called for 5 a.m. Passports, e-ticket, wallet, and dollars to exchange. A small plastic egg stuffed with a plastic bag from Ryan Air, just in case. Mini umbrella. Keys that you won’t be needing for over a month. Life, scattered throughout the bedsit, separated into several piles: clothing, […]
Things I Will Miss About Dublin and Ireland
It’s not so bad. I’ll be back anyway for a few weeks this September to close out my lease, get the rest of my things, and publish my thesis… but Phase 1 of Operation Move to Italy goes down this Wednesday and, for all intents and purposes, this is the beginning of the end. I […]
Down the Pub
Back in Dublin now after 5 weeks in 5 different U.S. states. The Irish summer weather, slushy and cold when I left, is now bright and crisp; perfect for an afternoon watching the swans in leafy St. Stephen’s Green, or an evening stroll down Grafton Street. I’d do both of those things if I could […]
- Food Culture
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Dear Ireland,
I know it’s been a while since we’ve talked – I’m coming back soon, I promise – but as I was sitting down to lunch at Dallas BBQ on 8th Street, I inhaled a steamy whiff of my chicken vegetable soup and was suddenly reminded that there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you for […]
What Big Siblings Are For
We’re at Marie’s Crisis and Joy gets a text from her older sister, Shelly. Shelly is watching Joy and Diego’s new Pomeranian, Tallulah. Joy has been anxious all evening about how the dog is faring, so Shelly’s text is a lifeline between mother and puppy. However:
The Long Island Railroad Montauk Line Travel Guide
Gia and I are headed to Islip for the wedding of Jeremy and Ellie. We’re going together, but I’m boarding the train at Penn Station and she’s boarding it at Atlantic Avenue. It is our plan to meet when the train hits Atlantic Avenue, which we figure will be the first stop after Penn Station. […]
The Things I’ve Carried
While I was in Florida last month, my mother watched me pull out my wallet to pay for something – probably candy. “Geez,” she said. “Your wallet is huge.” She was right. My purse has been weighing down my shoulders for weeks and the wallet – stuffed with heaps of euro coins – is the […]