Start at the very beginning

OK, this  is all entirely new  to me  Getting ready to depart to Roma on April 1 for a month, and thought this may be a good way to stay in touch, and let those who may have any interest know what I am up to in the next month.  This is very first post, and I need to explore this format and see what I can do here.  My thought is that perhaps, I can post something daily.  But, who knows, I may get there, and never get around to this.  Guess it is worth a try, and I will see what I get comfortable with.  Now need to figure out how to let anyone know that this is here.  Ciao

Comments

  1. RoaminForumMarch 30, 2011 at 9:47 PM

    Buon viaggio!

    ReplyDelete
  2. RoaminForumApril 1, 2011 at 10:50 PM

    Nice photo.

    I wasn't sure of the best way to get you this info. We chatted a while back about a couple of those off-the-beaten-path places in/near my favorite city in the world. I'm green with envy, but here is the info anyway.

    Ostia Antica, just west of Rome, toward the sea: It's Rome's "Pompeii," and also believed to be one of the first stock market sites. There is also an oddity of some of the first latrines, which were a social event to attend. The frescoes and mosaics ..amazing. I've heard there's a snack bar there, but it's a good idea to bring something of your own and picnic.

    Cerveteri: There remain very few important Etruscan sites, as they were not preserved like those discovered in later eras. Cerveteri is a City of the Dead, made from the tufa; hauntingly beautiful and wildly interesting. This is about the same distance northwest of Rome as Ostia Antica is directly west. They do not connect easily to each other... I've tried countless times to work it out. It will just have to be two trips.

    Appian Way: The ancient road that is supposed to be beautiful on bicycle, but it is also lovely on foot. Just can't cover as much of it in one trek. The scent from the trees and other plants is quite lovely and worth the journey for this alone.

    Rome’s centro storico is largely closed to traffic, making it easy to navigate a bike. Great cycle route along Tiber river, from Castel Giubileo (north) to Mezzo Cammino (south). Look it up on www.biciroma.it

    The Via Appia Antica is closed to traffic on Sundays. Bikes available for hire for 3 euro per hour first three hours, ten euro per day, from the park information office. www.parcoappiaantica.org for biking itineraries 6-17km.
    Info on bike kiosks and other bike rentals at
    http://www.reidsguides.com/italy/destinations/lazio/rome/transport/around_by_bike.html

    The Baths of Caracalla: Most likely you will pass by these on the way into Rome from the airport. Here's Wiki info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baths_of_Caracalla
    A better description here: http://www.livius.org/ro-rz/rome/rome_baths_caracalla1.html
    but neither description talks about the dual use of the large pool, for mock-sea battles and strategy practice. Then, when it was drained, the water was re-used for agriculture. It is also a fascinating site to see the construction and use of the sistern. Damned internet. I got all this from books in the past, but the details are fuzzy. Need a tour guide?

    Sperlonga (the beach): to be honest, this may not be worth it in April, but here's some info anyway..
    http://www.italyheaven.co.uk/sperlonga.html

    You are in flight as I type, but I had to commit this to writing while I still remembered I wanted to do so. Age, sheesh.

    And remember your magic words when you are about to enter the home of your landlady (Permesso?) Then, cross the threshold.

    Fully embrace "Giuseppe". You have a full month to be no-one else, so soak it all in. And what better place to do it!

    Un viaggio sicuro ed un abbraccio grande, dalla tua amica ancora qui!

    ReplyDelete

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