Week 2 – Image 2

 

Opening the shutters first thing in the morning lets in the air and the pigeon speak above the buzz of traffic.  Cars speed past on the narrow cobblestones between the three and four story buildings.  Workers on their way to open Spoleto to the tourists and to maintain the centuries old architecture.  Delivery trucks carrying food and wine to supply the hotels barge through the constricted space as if there were an extra ten feet on either side of the road.  Construction trucks with ladders and tools strapped to their beds hurry to be on time.  Trash trucks haul away the filth generated by the layers of people stacked one atop the other in apartments with old finicky plumbing.  I wonder what it takes to keep such a beautiful place beautiful.

 

The shelf in front of the window is sturdy enough and wide enough to hold even me.  I crawl onto the thick plank and drink in the morning.  The cool, fresh air awakens my skin and opens my eyes clearing away the drowsiness from sleeping on the pull out couch.  Before long, I hear my next door neighbors open their window to the day.  I had listened to their laughter and happy voices well into the early hours last night.  A smile draws my face upward as I remember the feeling of warmth that reminded me of times listening to my daughter carrying on with her friends.  I miss her and the joy of hearing her laughter.  I drag on my cigarette and check the sky for clouds.  Will it rain today?  Will I find a place to buy an umbrella?  Will the Wi-Fi at the hotel work or will it be finicky today?  Will my knees hold up on those wonderful stairs?  The pigeons may know, but keep their secrets well hidden from me.