About time passing.

I'm wine tasting in the cellar of the oldest building in Florence. It dates back to the Roman Empire and used to be a Roman Amphitheater. As I am listening to someone talk about the difference between a denominazione di origine controllata e garantita Chianti wine and a denominazione di origine controllata Chianti wine (which surprisingly is a lot less complicated than it sounds) the realization that I am where I am slowly creeps up on me.

There's nothing like walking through streets that have been virtually unchanged for centuries to remind you how small you are in this universe. Living in San Diego a house that is fifty years old is considered ancient. The house I am living in right now is older than the United States. Literally every brick here has a story. It's overwhelming.

It really puts things in perspective for you. Our lives go by in the blink of an eye compared to the time line of history.

And nothing makes the passing of time more apparent than walking through these perfectly preserved medieval streets, as though centuries ago were just yesterday.

Sure it's discouraging, but it's also empowering. Like you can't waste a minute. You have to walk out your door and enjoy every day like tomorrow will be centuries away. I am aware that's such a trite and repetitive saying. But sometimes worn out statements are that way for a reason.

And the Italians all seem to perfectly portray this attitude. The looming future is ever present, even in a city frozen in time. But the Italians make time to enjoy life. You can see it in their everyday lives. Eating is a full event and is a big part of the day. It's not just a task that has to be completed to ensure survival. It's a celebration of life. It is a subtle declaration of their refusal to let life pass them by without living.

Last night I went out to eat with my roommates Tom and Chase to this restaurant run by two musical brothers Lorenzo and Frederico Fattorini. The restaurant was empty and after we were finished eating one of the brothers Frederico came up to us and asked us where the girls were tonight. As if they heard us, a big group of the girls we go to school with and were planning on meeting up with later walked in the door. The brothers announced "oh the girls are here!" came back with wine for everyone and sat down at the tables with us. Lorenzo asked me if I wanted red or white wine. I told him I was alright, but he refused let me go thirsty and said "in Italy everyone drinks with company."

Who would I be to come over to this country and not drink red wine with the musical brothers? A bad guest that's who.

We sat around the empty restaurant and talked with the brothers for quite some time. Lorenzo put on Brazilian Pop music with a woman singing in Italian. I told him about Ricardo and the crash course I got in Brazilian Pop music. He said "Bossa Nova is like the rhythm of life." So we listened into the night.

And that's what I'm talking about. It's the idea of living in the moment and being aware, but not so concerned that time is passing by. Acknowledging that you are an insignificant speck and reveling in the great fortune you have of living. It's not depressing. It's brilliant.

I wouldn't trade these nights for anything.

***

So I am off to Siena to go eat with the nice Italian lady I met at the Hot Springs and her family. Or at least I think I am. Like I said, nobody speaks English except for me. Great stuff.