You Are the Moment
Updated: Oct 7
Leaving Home
The Caribbean, 2000 - Most nights were quiet. Here and there, I’d hear the neighbor’s babel or the faint pop of gunshots, celebratory or nefarious, I never knew.
Either way, when my parents said we were leaving the country for good, I welcomed that with innocence.
After that announcement, I went back in my room and joyously spread my arms pretending to fly away. I didn’t realize those arms would eventually become wings. They would carry me across oceans, through unfamiliar streets, toward cities I had only seen in photographs.
Then my travel buddy suggested we visit a country that is known for honoring history and tradition. That carried us to Italy.
Well, specifically, I came to Rome expecting pasta. I know, a bit more gluttonous than cultured but, roll with me here.
What I didn’t realize is that I was also going to meet myself.
A Little Pasta. A Little Becoming.
Rome, Italy 2022 - Exiting Roma Termini train station, I felt the city’s pulse: vibrant, messy, alive.
In general, when I arrive to a new destination, my excitement, however bursting, doesn’t render me oblivious. I remain alert to residents and visitors alike, tracking glances, tones, and that fidgety guy who’s always in the back.
But Rome wrapped its essence all around me like an unexpected warm embrace from the stranger you’ve been eyeing at the local coffee shop. Under the polluted air, I strolled to Hotel Della Conciliazione, dragging my luggage and carry-on onto uneven cobblestone.
The cobblestone streets felt like a never-ending maze. I hated every second of dragging that luggage; the 16.5 minutes felt like hours.
Sweaty, exhausted and ready to just drop that load, I kept dragging forward. I observed the varieties of Roman litter and the different colorations of urine on the streets, missing cobblestones, and almost getting hit by multiple cars as I didn’t realize where the sidewalks ended and streets began.
All that, and yet, Rome disarmed me.
Maybe it was the curious, lingering gazes from strangers, not filled with confusion, but recognition.
Finally, I made it to my hotel feeling relieved and determined to make the most of my time in this incredible city. After quickly freshening up, I grabbed my camera and stepped out the door.
The streets were alive as locals and tourists all blended in a harmonious fashion, but there was one thing that stood out — me.
With my brown skin, big hair, full lips and colorful clothes, it was hard to not draw attention no matter where I went. It was exhilarating.
I strutted down the streets like they were runways, proud of my unique beauty and unapologetic for allowing the world to see it. Despite being tired from lugging around that luggage, I felt exuberant!
In truth, I journeyed to Rome, expecting nothing other than the food but I was determined to create opportunities for my own becoming.
Everywhere I went, I met people and exchanged stories with them. Some were locals and some were tourists like me, but we all shared an underlying sense of gratitude in our connection.
This ancient city is renowned for boasting some of the most impressive architecture and monuments from thousands of years of history.
But let’s keep it simple: the Trevi Fountain is… well, a fountain. Yes, it’s unique, yes, it’s beautiful, but at the end of the day, it’s a fountain. I couldn’t get a perfect shot through the bustling crowd, but I chose to set aside my frustration with typical tourist chaos and instead appreciate the incredible diversity of people it draws in.
Every visitor was there to capture their own special moment.
It felt good to be reminded that you don’t need permission to take up space.
You are the moment.
While exploring, I stumbled upon the Leonardo Da Vinci Experience Museum. For 12 euros, I touched history. Just a note: no bathrooms inside (yes, that was tragic as I badly needed one)!
Touching those gizmos and gadgets made me think: this guy really picked all of the above as his job. He seemingly had no restrictions to create. The same person who came up with aviation concepts is the same person who designed diving suits and is the same person who painted the most recognized paintings!
Where I’m from, we were taught to “pick a lane and stay in it!”
I guess Leo did have a lane, and that was: mirror the Creator and… create.
I remember when I was a teenager, I took up an interest in crochet.
One day, my dad saw me in my room, in peace, crochet-ing away, and scorned me. He said teenagers should not be in their room learning to crochet. They should be studying something that matters.
“Okay, Papi. Okay.” I put everything down. My head also.
That was the end of that chapter.
Rome wasn’t just a stop on the map. It was a mirror.
A place that stirred something in me no itinerary could predict.
I can’t quite explain why I felt so alive there.
Side note: I skipped the Colosseum queue. Nerp! Gelato and a quiet walk suited me better.
I wandered to Campo Marzio and found what I didn’t even know I needed: rest.
Watching the locals walk around the park, unbothered and unhurried, some by themselves, some accompanied, suddenly felt honoring leisure activity rather than “getting the steps in for the day”. And frankly, after taking in so much from the day, I needed the mental rest as well as the physical.
I wondered as I watched tourists snapping pictures with their phones making different silly faces.
Are they ever going to print those pictures?
Will they ever go up on a gallery wall to be admired?
As the sun began to set, I observed an elderly couple quietly waiting to capture the perfect shot of the sunset without rushing the tourists. I admired their patience and kindness. They weren’t rushing. They weren’t performing. Just being. Present.
That reminded me of the value of forming travel memories over content.
As the sun dipped behind the hills, my heart swelled with joy.
I walked through those streets feeling a sense of belonging that I hadn't felt anywhere else before.
And then I realized something strange.
Maybe belonging wasn’t something Rome had given me.
Maybe Rome had simply reminded me that I could give it to myself.
I didn’t need another landmark. Another photograph. Another person’s permission to feel worthy of the space I occupied.
I was there.
Fully.
Present.
Mine.
With an open heart,
Emi
P.S. I still maintain that the 16.5-minute walk with the luggage was an endurance workout.
For my hair, I use:
Shea Moisture 100% VIRGIN COCONUT OIL DAILY HYDRATION SHAMPOO w/ coconut milk & Acacia Senegal
Shea Moisture MANUKA HONEY & MAFURA OIL INTENSIVE HYDRATION CONDITIONER w/ Fig Extract & Baobab Oil
Kinky - Curly KNOT TODAY™ Natural Leave in / Detangler
Kinky - Curly ORIGINAL CURLING CUSTARD™ Natural Styling Gel
My hair was shaped by Anthony Dickey, Owner of Hair Rules.
Hair Rules Salon NY
828 9th Avenue, Suite 1, New York, New York, 10019
© 2026 | Emi Lalanne. All Rights Reserved.
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