Category: Italy

Daily Blogging & Writing Fearlessly

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On Via Fori Imperiali

On Via Fori Imperiali (May 2015)

I’m almost certain that many writers spend time thinking about how to write more, why they aren’t writing more, when they can write more, if they should write more, if they can write more. I’m no exception.

Lately, I’ve been writing, but not publicly. I have an awful tendency to stop writing because I believe I have nothing of interest/importance to state–usually, that translates into “I feel like crap about myself in the world.”  I recognize that writing about true feelings/thoughts not filtered through psychobabble scares the living daylights out of me.  Seriously.

It is a scary thing just to write “I feel…” and not add something about Freud or CBT or DBT immediately before or after it.  What would it mean to simply state my feelings, my thoughts unfiltered, uninhibited in my own little virtual space?  Who knows. This, however, is the starting point.

It’s a promise to myself. Every morning, I will write something, anything on this little blog of mine. It may interest you. It may bore you to tears.  The point, however, is that I am writing what is honest/authentic/true for me. I hope you’ll continue to give me your support.

Also, I an starting a health journey daily vlog upon my return to the US.  It will run from May 25-August 15, and will be tracking my progress with taking better care of my overall (but mostly physical) health, including diet, exercise, hair, skin, etc. I am really ready to commit to a healthy vegan and natural lifestyle, and I would like to document that process. So, wish me good fortune on that as well.

Sometimes it’s when we are about to experience enormous change that we truly recognize the direction in which we are heading.

Until Tomorrow,

D.

Vlog | Mother’s Day in Garbatella & Travel Tips

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Join me for a quick look at Mother’s Day in Garbatella, where I attended the weekend market, tried to play soccer, experience a bit of nostalgia, and give my tips on where to stay (and why) while visiting Rome.

Throwback Thursday | Reblog: Roma, che cosa vuoi?

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Statue of Giordano Bruno

Rome is a hard place and I am a hard person.  What I mean by hard is simply that Rome is all stone and little nature.  It is all grit and grime and movement.  I often feel now that I find myself to be same…  That there is no softness, purity, and no patience…  I am eager to build upon the last event and move on from the present one.   I feel as though my life has shown me too much in too short a period of time, and has made me too wise… but not wise enough to avoid this place where I have now found myself.

If you asked me what I want most right now, I would say to be free of all worry… then I would say to remember… then I would say to forget… then I would say nothing… for why should I want?

I despise Rome because it is so much like me – It reflects back to me so much of myself… or at least, who I have been in my many forms.   And it seems that now I am finding myself to be no different from many of my clients, whom I have seen over the years, i.e. wanting the past to go away… wanting to be far away from myself, but finding myself nowhere else but here with me.  I suppose I am human after all.  And so I have placed myself here in Rome, a physical manifestation of all of the parts of me I had come so to resent, but perhaps no so much anymore.  Now, Rome, what do you want?

Nessun Dorma

“Nessun Dorma” (“None shall sleep,” an aria from Puccini’s opera “Turandot.”)

Vlog | 4 Tips for Black Women Travelling Abroad

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Snapshot 2 (02-Mar-15 20-36)

My most recent vlog post.  I offer 4 tips on how to survive travelling or living abroad, as well as share a bit about the more unusual experiences I’ve had while living in Rome.

 

 

Writers’ Cafe in Rome: Take 2 (Caffè della scala)

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Image by Adam Croft. Click to visit his blog.

Image by Adam Croft. Click to visit his blog.

It’s that time again. Tomorrow, I will be hosting the Writers’ Cafe at Caffè della scala on Via della scala (4) in Trastevere. Event is from 6PM to 8PM.  Hope you can make it out! 🙂

 

Vlog | Black Women Dating While Living Abroad: Will Italian Men Feed You Pasta?

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DatingAfter four years of living in Rome, I’ve learned a bit about dating, especially as a Black woman. In this video, I offer up my thoughts on possible dating experiences that Black women may meet while living abroad, the (ir)relevance of beauty standards, and reasons for travelling abroad, including cultural expectations.

Hope you enjoy it! If you do, please “like” (thumbs up) the video. Thanks!

 

Vlog |Travel with Me to Il Mercatino Giapponese (Japanese Market) in Rome

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Video accompaniment to the recent Mercatino Giapponese post.  Hope you enjoy watching it! 😉

Travel | Mercatino Giapponese (Japanese Market) in Rome

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Image by D. Blake
Image by D. Blake
Image by D. Blake
Image by D. Blake
Image by D. Blake
Image by D. Blake
Image by D. Blake
Image by D. Blake
Image by D. Blake
Image by D. Blake
Image by D. Blake
Image by D. Blake
Image by D. Blake
Image by D. Blake

Took the metro line B to Termini, then grabbed the 105 to Grotte Celoni, hoping that I would figure out the exact location of the Mercatino Giapponese (Via Casilina 713).

I came to this event two years before, and back then it seemed like a cross between a neighbourhood yard sale and a cosplay convention.  This year, it was more or less the same, except for the cosplay, which was the part I had been looking forward to seeing.

It’s the kind of event where everyone knows everyone.  It’s less about selling stuff than having a reunion with old friends. I didn’t mind it.

Still, it was more of a manga-meets-anime convention that just happened to be in a dancehall that casts several shades of shady upon entering it: stacks of comics and posters everywhere, Japanese dolls and anime/manga characters lined up, handcrafted jewelry and used clothes that reminded me of my goth days, and random Italian pop music playing.

It didn’t phase me when I saw the telltale Italian cornetti (croissants) and espresso at the bar. After all, I’m in Rome. Still, I was hoping to find something more…Japanese.

Only a handful of vendors were selling things other than anime/manga items. There were kimonos, Japanese socks, bookmarkers and, of course, food…but that’s a whole other tale. In the meanwhile, enjoy the photos. 😉

D.

 

 

Travelling While Black | In Rome, You Might Be A Prostitute, Plus Fire Dancing & Vegan Valentine’s

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Vegamisu, Universo Vegano. Click to visit their website. Image by D. Blake.

Vegamisu, Universo Vegano. Click to visit their website. Image by D. Blake.

So, I took myself out for Valentine’s Day. Watch what happens. 🙂

 

4c Natural Hair: Bantu Knot-Out with KeraCare Products (Rome Off the Beaten Path)

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DSC_0030

So, I finally put together my first natural hair video. 🙂 Product line featured: KeraCare.

Specifically, I used the KeraCare Leave In Conditioner, Essential Oils and Twist & Define Cream to do single strand twist Bantu knots.  The result was soft curls, and even softer hair.

I’ll be upfront and you’ll see in the video, the only product that I bought was the Leave In Conditioner, which I consider to be expensive (I tend to be really frugal)–but I decided that I really needed a leave-in.

The total cost of the Leave In Conditioner was 18.90€.  The rest of the products were samples that I received from the store–Lucky!! 🙂

I tend not to buy commercial styling products. Hair cleansing products, such as shampoo and conditioner, I go with Garnier Fructis line (price range: 2-3€).

Otherwise, I buy my oils (price range: 3-6€): extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, sweet almond oil, argan oil  (tends to be expensive); and create a little mix with that.

Also, I tend to leave my hair alone, i.e. I don’t style it often to manipulate the natural curls I have.  As the title states, I have 4c hair, which is delicate and is best not to over manipulate. So, generally, I keep it in a protective style and call it a day. 😉

KeraCare in Rome:

Astri Beauty Shop & Salon,Via Giovanni Giolitti 93/95

KeraCare Online:

Avlon Products: KeraCare