Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being a Watchman in Mentana is like riding a rollercoaster blindfolded. So, I wake up, right? Sun’s shining, birds chirping, and I’m like, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
First off, I hit the streets. I’m cruisin’ down Via Roma, and boom! There’s this old dude, like, 80 if he’s a day, trying to cross the street. He’s got this cane, and I swear, it’s like he’s in slow-mo. Cars are honking, people are yelling. I’m like, “C’mon, man, you got this!” Finally, he makes it. I’m pumped! But then, he turns around and gives me the finger. Like, dude, I was cheering for you!
Then I head over to Piazza Garibaldi. It’s usually a chill spot, but today? Nah. There’s this street performer, right? He’s juggling fire. Fire! In Mentana! I’m thinking, “This is gonna end badly.” And guess what? It does! He drops a flaming torch, and it rolls right into a vendor’s cart. Boom! Instant barbecue! The vendor’s face was priceless. I’m laughing, but also kinda worried. Like, what if the whole piazza goes up in flames?
After that chaos, I decide to grab a coffee at my fave spot, Caffè Mentana. I order my usual—cappuccino, extra foam. But the barista? She’s having a day too. She spills milk everywhere. I’m talking a full-on dairy disaster. I’m just standing there, trying not to laugh, but I can’t help it. She looks at me, and I’m like, “Hey, at least it’s not on fire!”
So, I’m sipping my coffee, and I see this couple arguing on Via della Libertà. They’re going at it, and I’m like, “Man, love is wild.” But then, the guy pulls out a ring! I’m thinking, “Is he proposing mid-fight?” Turns out, he is! She goes from screaming to crying in like two seconds. I’m just standing there, mouth agape. Love, man. It’s a trip.
Then, I get a call on my radio. “Watchman, we got a situation at the park.” I’m like, “Great, what now?” I rush over to Parco delle Rimembranze, and there’s a bunch of kids playing soccer. But one kid, he’s crying. Turns out, he lost his favorite ball. I’m like, “Dude, it’s just a ball.” But to him? It’s the world. So, I rally the kids, and we start a search party. We’re looking under benches, in bushes, everywhere. Finally, we find it in a tree! I’m like, “How did it even get up there?” The kid’s face lights up. I’m a hero for a hot minute.
But then, I get a whiff of something. It’s bad. Like, really bad. I follow my nose, and it leads me to a food truck. They’re serving something called “Mentana Special.” I’m like, “What’s special about it?” The guy just grins. I take a bite, and oh man, it’s like a flavor explosion. But then, my stomach starts doing flips. I’m like, “Why did I do this?”
By the time I get back to my post, I’m exhausted. I plop down on a bench at Via della Repubblica, just trying to catch my breath. I think about the day. The chaos, the laughter, the surprises. Mentana, man. It’s a wild ride.
As the sun sets, I watch the sky turn orange. I’m grateful for the madness. It’s what makes this place home. I’m just a Watchman, but today? I felt like a part of something bigger.
And that’s Mentana for ya. Full of surprises, laughter, and a bit of chaos. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!