Eating Alone in Rome

Since my family has yet to join me here in Rome, and since I haven’t had the time (or made the time) to make myself dinner, I’ve been eating out on my own every couple of days. It can be lonely, and Italians often regard me as an oddity – I think it’s uncommon for them to eat alone, and I must look a little sad sitting there by myself. But it’s not so bad if I do a little sketching and writing in my journal before or after I devour the evening’s pasta. The day’s events, comments on the food, and assorted thoughts make up the writing … and whatever happens to be in my view ends up as a sketch. For this reason, I usually try to grab a table with a view through the door, but that’s not always possible.

I’ve been writing and drawing in this book, a Handbook Journal, with an old Yafa fountain pen, using Noodler’s Lexington Gray ink … and it would be nice if I could add a little watercolor, but that would make things a bit complicated at the restaurant table. So instead I’ve chosen to keep things simple and quick. This is a selection from a few of my favorite places here in Trastevere.