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The Magic of Rome
My Date in the Eternal City
At night, the Trevi Fountain shone beautifully, the lights making the water glow a soft turquoise. The crowds had grown denser since the afternoon. Francesca and I weaved our way to the marble ledge, each holding 10 euro cents — ready to make a wish.
I threw the coin into the fountain over my left shoulder. Lined with cobblestone streets, marble statues, old-fashioned lamp posts, and columned buildings, the city felt romantic. But I didn’t wish for romance.
Only Rome had different plans for me.
June 22, 2024
Francesca and I stood against a dark building on a small cobblestone road, away from the crowds of the Trevi Fountain.
“Which one should we go to?” Francesca asked.
Across the street, on either side of us, stood two restaurants — both strung with white lights over black and white awnings. They looked so similar, for a moment I thought they might actually be the same place.
“I’m good with either,” I shrugged.
Francesca pulled up each of the menus on her phone. After reading through them, she pointed left.
“Let’s go to that one,” she said.
