Living on crumbs

Along the River Tiber in Rome there are many bridges. Under some of them, on the east side of the old city, people who are homeless pitch their tents. On the clean, bright, western side cyclists, joggers and walkers enjoy the fresh air. On the unkempt eastern side people huddle in makeshift tents, cardboard, and sleeping bags.

These people don’t go unnoticed. Some Romans descend the long stone steps and bring gifts for the people who live there. There was a warm coat hanging up, left on a nail under one bridge. Under this bridge a boxed panettone, my favourite Italian cake, had been left next to a tent. Nearby was a White Wagtail, Motacilla alba. The Italian name for the White Wagtail is Ballerina Bianca. We couldn’t be further from white ballerinas here.

Both were living on scraps.