Gabriella
I was fast asleep, suddenly I felt someone shake me vigourously, trying to wake me up. I slowly opened my eyes and saw Alejandro dressed in casual attire. It was then I realized that Alejandro was the one who was trying to wake me up.
I searched for my phone on the nightstand and on finding it I realized it was 6am in the morning.
I was really angry on him for waking me up but then my brain realized maybe we were going back to Mexico that is why he woke me up.
Before I could speak my thoughts out, Alejandro confirmed my thoughts. “Get ready soon. It’s time to go”
I finished my morning routine and wore a casual dress. Then we went to the parking lot and a new car, with open roof was waiting for us. I was excited by the change in ride but I was wary of rain drenching us.
We started our journey and the weather was really pleasant. Alejandro drove at brisk pace and I was really enjoying the drive with him, the wind blew in my hair making its sway, the cool sensation of the wind on my skin was really amazing. I lost myself in the moment.
After some time I realized we weren’t headed for the airport, because the scenery was getting progressively countryside. I asked Alejandro where we were headed
“To my beach house. I have made you work really hard in the last few days, you deserve a vacation.” he replied
In the next 45 minutes I could make out the sight of a beautiful and large beach house, the nameplate read “Alejandro Martinez”.
The sight and Alejandro’s surprise announcement was an icing on the cake of an already amazing day. I was unable to suppress my happiness and was smiling ear to ear. As soon as we got near the beach and Alejandro slowed down the car, I quickly got off and ran for the beach, before Alejandro could say anything to stop me.
The sight of the beach just did something to me and I couldn’t hold myself. By the time the sand and the waves hit my feet, I was hit by sudden wave of nostalgia. Tears flew down my face. Scenes from my childhood,
I saw a female figure dressed in a floral gown, ideal for wearing at the beach. Another young boy was running at full speed trying to emulate an airplane in flight. They were my brother and mother and I was at a beach in Colombia enjoying a day at the beach. I see my 5 year old self sitting on the sand building a sand castle with my plastic shovel and plastic buckets.
My nostalgic walk down the memory lane is broken by a tap on my shoulder. Its Alejandro, he followed me to the beach and on seeing me in tears he asked
“what’s wrong? Why are you crying?” I composed myself and answered
“The beach and the sea reminded me of my mom and the time spent playing on beaches when I was a little girl. I miss her” He hugs me and consoles me, trying to calm me down.
We walk hand in hand to the beach house. The house is located at an elevation which is created on a wooden ramp. There is a small wooden bridge that connects the house to the beach.
The house is surrounded by a small garden with a grass bed and different varieties of flowering plants and bonsai trees.
It was a two storey old-style Italian bungalow, complete with chimney. On stepping inside, I was expecting to see a house that would be old-school but it was complete with all modern amenities. It was the perfect juxtaposition of both modernity and old school architecture.
The entire house had wooden flooring. The living room had a window that faced the sea and it had white couch and a fireplace for cold evenings. The view was complete with the garden and the beach all together.
On the left side of the entry door laid the dining area. It was very simple, poles apart from the intricate design of the Martinez mansion. The house had plants at almost every nook and corner. The house seemed like the perfect place to relax and spend a nice summer vacation in.
I felt really hungry and said so to Alejandro. “Ohh, I will make some breakfast for both of us, in the meanwhile you can change into something better, I will take you sightseeing around Rome.” I was really happy to hear this.
“Ohh man, enmity with this guy is so much fun. I am here on a vacation without spending a single penny! Back in Colombia I had no time to party or take holidays because I was always busy handling the pharmaceutical company, this was a welcome change.”
I wandered around checking out the other parts of the room, before I changed into something better.
I went outside to the porch and sat there for a few minutes on a swinging sofa in the couch. The porch like the rest of the house was simplistic yet had all the necessary relaxing things like the swing, plants, aesthetically pleasing carpet and a nice view of the forested areas on the edge of the beach.
Perfect place to relax in the evenings and the mornings, enjoying a hot cup of coffee.
I went upstairs to the bedrooms to access one of the many bathrooms.
The bedroom was large and as extravagant and comfy as the ones we had in the hotel we were staying for the last few days.
A large bed and a window with an attached balcony with a perfect view of the ocean. I went to the bathroom to change my clothes and was greeted by an amazing sight. The bathroom had a unique look to it. I had never been in a bathroom with wooden flooring and a unique oval bowl shaped bathtub, whose water supply has two outlets. A circular black outlet spraying water like a shower and a smaller hose like metallic tap like system.
I quickly wore a pink v-neck dress. I paired my outfit with pair of pink heels and matching accessories.
When i was satisfied by my look i quickly went to the kitchen to check up on Alejandro. He was bent down working on a French toast and I spent some time observing the kitchen. White roof and same wooden flooring, with lots of free space.
Soon Alejandro had prepared a healthy meal of French toast and glass of orange juice.
We eat a hearty meal and get into our car to start our sightseeing extravaganza.
“I know you haven’t been here for, but I visit regularly. So please allow me to be your guide madam.” He said cheekily.
“First off we go to Trevi fountain.” Alejandro said to me, and drove quietly.
Rome's largest fountain, Fontana di Trevi is supplied by an aqueduct originally constructed by Agrippa, the great art patron of the first century BC, to bring water to his baths. The fountain was created for Pope Clement XII between 1732 and 1751 by Nicolò Salvi, and built against the rear wall of the palace of the Dukes of Poli.
It depicts the sea god Oceanus (Neptune), with horses, tritons, and shells. The water swirls around the figures and the artificial rocks, and collects in a large basin, always filled with coins.
I thought to myself. I had never been here, but I had read a lot about famous places in Italy, in books and encyclopedias so I was just recalling what I knew.
We spent some time admiring its beauty and I also made some wishes and threw some coins as per the rituals to make my wish come true.
Next stop was the palatine hills.
Strategically set 50 meters above the Tiber, the Palatine Hill shows evidence of Rome's earliest settlement: rock-cuttings found in front of the Temple of Cybele show human activity as long ago as the ninth century BC. Later, this was the site chosen by the emperors and great aristocratic families for their palaces.
One of the most royal neighborhoods of ancient Roman empire it was like taking a walk with the Royalty.
After spending almost an hour here we headed to our next stop, within the Palatine hills itself.
The Farnese Gardens were laid out on the hill in the 16th century for Cardinal Alessandro Farnese, a pleasure park of terraces, pavilions, lawns, flowerbeds, trees, and fountains designed as a kind of stage-setting for social gatherings.
Highlights of the Palatine Hill are the House of Livia (Augustus' wife), the semi-subterranean Cryptoporticus, Domus Flavia, Domus Augustana, and most imposing of all, the Baths of Septimius Severus. The Palatine Hill is a lovely place to explore, combining a park with magnificent and impressive ruins of ancient Rome.
Our next stop was some distance away and took us a 30minute drive. Before visiting we decided to have some lunch because it was almost 2pm.
Osteria bonelli is a famous local Italian restaurant.
Linguine Piccole with Grilled Swordfish and Parsley Anchovy Sauce, Grilled Shrimp with oregano and lemon, Spaghetti with Clams and Garlic
Slow roasted salmon with fennel, citrus and chilies. Since I wanted to eat some seafood, Alejandro just ordered all the special dishes on the menu. He is so savvy in that way. I really liked his smooth and slick ways.
After a hearty meal we moved on to the CastelSant’Angelo.
Castel Sant’Angelo, Begun in AD 135 as a mausoleum for the Emperor Hadrian and his family, Castel Sant'Angelo is a massive drum-shaped structure overlooking the Tiber near the Vatican. Over the millennia of its existence, Castel Sant'Angelo has been used as a papal residence and a fortress, and more recently as a National Museum.
In AD 271, Emperor Aurelian took advantage of its position guarding the northern approaches to the city and incorporated it into his new system of walls surrounding the city. As a bastion it protected the city from barbarian attacks, and by the Middle Ages had become a substantial fortress. In times of peril, popes fled here across a secret elevated corridor, the Passetto di Borgo, and stored their most precious riches in the castle's treasury.
That was the last stop on our list and by the time we were done, it was almost 6pm.
The journey back home took us some time due to the traffic and by the time we were home it was 8pm. I went to one of the bedrooms and took a long bath as Alejandro prepared our dinner. I wore my comfy cotton pajamas and walked over to the terrace.
The terrace had an electric fireplace in the centre with a comfy sofa to sit on. As I was enjoying the night sky full of stars and the big shining moon, Alejandro came with a huge cart with five course meal.
We enjoyed the meal and did not talk much just enjoying the silence. Soon it was time to sleep. Before we went to back to our respective rooms, I was glad we had separate rooms so that I can relax with my cuddling problem!
“You will have to wake up early tomorrow, we are going somewhere…” Alejandro said and walked away without revealing the location.
I was left wondering about it, and bubbling with excitement inside.