My friends have given me two hours off, and I walk, and walk and walk......with my Nikon in one hand, waterbottle easily available and my mind opened breathing in impressions. In the narrow streets behind Piazza Navona, in Via della Pace, I sit down with a glass of freshly pressed orange juice, and at once I am charmed by the beautiful young couple at the neighbour table. The girl is far, far away in her novel, the boy is painting a colourful dragon in sparkling lime, blue and pink. A small, well used paintbox,water from the drinking bottle, an orange batic pencil case. The miniature painting is finished, and with a small pen knife he cuts the painting out and present it to the beautiful girl. She lifts her eyes from her book and award him with such a beautiful smile I can feel shivers down my spine. Young fingers meet in tenderness and love. A kiss.
I did not pack my paint box this day and feel a pang of regret, but who knows, if I had may be my mind would have been too busy to enjoy young love and creativity..........
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Note: After Mexico I flew to Roma to meet up with four of my best friends. Three of them had never been to Roma before, the fourth had been there for a short visit. Being their guide for five days is among the best things I've done as a traveller.