Hanami is also in our street, next to the Castro Pretorio, the barracks of the roman praetorian guards. Friday and saturday, true spring days in Rome. Those obliging tourists to stare at the air and smile. And romans do the same. A scented fresh wind, petals swirling in the air.

Rome is always amazing when she goes out in her spring Botticelli outfit, light still cold and not yet zenithal, perfume of freshly cut grass in the air, sugary wisteria trickling down from the ancient walls …such  as here nearby Porta San Paolo and the Piramide Cestia…

Or around the corner, close to our local caffe’ in our neighbourhood next to San Lorenzo…under today’s overcast sky.