Linda Lappin

Obama & Michelle have paralyzed our city today with their arrival in Rome. Newspapers sing with praise and anecdotes soon to become legend.

You are the future, gushed one local administrator as Obama was led through Aquila’s devastated historical center. To which Obama, on whom the responsibility for the entire world’s well being and prosperity must weigh heavy, replied, in Italian, “Good Luck” Impossible not to be touched by Obama magic. Even my relationship with the local drycleaner has changed since he was elected.

The couple who run the shop, ex hippy – and perhaps ex- junkie, she in granny dresses and he with long hair and a motor cycle, used to glower at me when I entered the premises, worrying I might be a Bush supporter. Now they treat me with deference since they learned I am an Obama fan. “I cried when I saw he had actually won!” I confessed when asked back in November. “Of joy, I hope," she replied cautiously. Yesterday as I dropped off my husband’s favorite summer trousers for a clean at the outrageous price of eight euros, she greeted me triumphantly with: “He’s in Rome!” He being Obama, the only other topic of our usual conversations aside from tips for removing stains. Her eyes widened like a gleeful child's "Wouldn’t it be wonderful to meet him! He’s going to meet with the pope!” Then her face darkened, “ I just hope everything will be all right over there in Aquila, with the earthquakes and all!” Don’t we all.