An unusual observer E-Book

Federic One

• Herausgeber: Federic One
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2013

Beschreibung

Who are the guests who spend only a few days in a wonderful Roman home? What are their interests and how do they interact with their hosts?As told from the viewpoint of an unusual observer.

Leseprobe

I’d like to dedicate this story to the beauty of our lives,

to unexpected experiences,

to what is special about the people we meet,

to sweet Karin who has shared with me an intense, exciting,

rich and unforgettable experience in this wonderful and warm city of Rome.

I’d like to introduce myself. I was named Sparkle and I‘m the bedroom with my own private bathroom for the guests of the owner of this house, Federico. He chose my name together with his beloved Karin because I’m always sparkling clean.

I was born (built), have lived and will always live in Monteverde Nuovo, which is a neighbourhood in Rome. I’m located on the third floor of a nice brick building and fortunately, since I don’t face the street, I have a beautiful, wide view. I said fortunately because it’s a very busy street with many shops. Imagine the smell of smog and the sound of traffic and car horns all day long!

Around ten years ago I was completely renovated. The whole house was refurbished, and even though I obviously didn’t see it, during that time I heard Federico talking for almost three months to other people who don’t live here. He told them how and where he wanted a wall, which colours to use, he gave instructions regarding the ceilings, the lights and the bathroom. Then my turn came and fortunately (because I love the way I am now), I was also made more beautiful.

Off with the wallpaper that was trendy in the‘70s and ’80s and out with the old furniture! Space, more space and light! A new bright colour, light blue; a beautiful modern bed with lights concealed behind the bedside tables; a nice chest with six roomy drawers in front of the bed and an antique desk for contrast; a huge closet with two sliding doors; and to top it off, a bright bathroom that communicates directly with me; something that I didn’t have before.

Ah, I do feel better after all those years in a drab and outdated environment, which frankly I could not stand anymore. But what could I have done alone? Nothing. Today, if only I could, I’d always have a smile on my face (I’m just saying, so that you humans can understand).

Karin has been living with Federico and me for about a year. She is just as tall as Federico, slender with brown hair and eyes the colour of a small mountain lake, deep blue. In every male human’s opinion her most beautiful feature is her mouth and her lovely smile, which they say, is just irresistible! Another thing that sets her apart is the country where she was born. It’s called Austria, which is located just above our Italy. It’s a little-known country and it’s often considered to be ‘almost Germany’. Now, if you really want to insult Austrians, just tell them that they are Germans or that they are just like them. I don’t really know why, but I’ve learned that they don’t think very highly of them, whereas I believe that the Germans love little Austria.

Sometimes Federico’s father comes over with his beautiful, gentle little dog. Her name is Enrichetta and it’s a soft, hairy, playful Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Yes, this breed has four names! To help you picture her, think about a small dog, about 60 cm long and 40 cm tall with a pearly white coat and large reddish spots, ears flopping down, which are also reddish, a longhaired tail and a short little snout. Can you picture one of those hunting and lap dogs that are often portrayed on 18th-century paintings? With her large tender eyes, she’s a truly lovely little dog.

Now I really want to tell you about what happened to me not too long ago. One day Karin and Federico decided that it could be fun to have people outside our family stay with me. So Federico subscribed to a website that manages room reservations via Internet, which, from what I understand, allows people who would like to stay with me to book me before arriving at our place. Over time and after several guests, it seems to me that they are pleased and very happy to rest under my soft sheets and down comforter, make friends with my dear ones and are charmed by all that this beautiful city of Rome has to offer.

So, now I’d like to tell you a bit about them. They are all kinds of people, men, women, guys, gals, young and not so young, most of whom are not Italian. However, since I don’t have eyes to see, everything that I know and that I shall tell you about, is only what I’ve heard from comments by and conversations between Karin and Federico.

DECEMBER

FARBOOD

Yes, Farbood was really his name.This young man was tall and athletic and came from a faraway land called India. He spoke in a language that it sounded strange to me because it was not Italian, but then I learned that there are many other languages spoken around the world. He spent three long, intense days with us. Unfortunately I don’t have very much to say about him and about what happened because Federico had left to see his beloved one abroad and Farbood only spoke a language that I didn’t understand.

He arrived with a friend on December 30th around 7:00 p.m. Federico showed him around the apartment and explained the house rules before leaving.

Starting that night, all sorts of things happened. But it was understandable; it was just before New Year’s Eve. He was staying at the apartment alone, but obviously he used the house for a huge party, a New Year’s Eve party of course! Sparkling wine bottles littered the floor, there were food crumbs all over the place and a pile of dishes to wash in the sink; this was the result of his three-day stay at our place.

Every week, for about the past 30 years, the woman who knows Federico and his home the best has been coming to our house. She is like a member of the family. She is responsible for keeping the rest of the house and me clean. Guess who arrived on January 1st at 9:30 a.m., on time as usual? Maria.

Poor Maria.

From what I understand, she had already noticed that something was amiss before she came up to the apartment. When she looked up at the windows from the street, she saw that the lights were on (it was daytime), and she knew that Federico was not in Italy. She was a bit scared to go in, Federico hadn’t told her that a guest was going to stay at the apartment during his absence. So she slowly opened the door calling out, “Federicoooo, Federicoooo! Are you there?” No reply. Suddenly Farbood was standing in front of her, sleepy-eyed and in his underwear. Can you image how frightened she was at the sight of him and how she reacted? No? Well, I’ll tell you, she screamed, “Who are you? What are you doing in Federico’s apartment?”

Since he didn’t speak any Italian, he had a hard time trying to explain to her that he was Federico’s guest. Then, when Maria saw the kitchen, she put her hands to her head and almost fainted. But she is an excellent and very well organized housekeeper, so she rolled up her sleeves and tidied up and cleaned the apartment in just four hours. Poor dear, she had quite the scare!