Daily Life
I'm getting used to this life style. Class doesn't start until 9:45, so slept in till 7:30. Stopped on way to class for un caffe e una dolce. I couldn't take the frustration of class today and talked to instructor about moving up a level. Nothing against the people I'm with, but this is their first exposure to the language, and I've been learning and forgetting Italian my whole life. Found myself having to explain everything to them, so decided time to move on. I'll stay here for rest of week for review, and change class on Monday.
Wish I had some pictures to share, but found out I'm a terrible photographer. For example, here is the inside of the Pantheon, looking up to the occulus to the sky.
I know, makes you feel like you are right there, especially the way I centered this. Wandered over to Piazza Novona just in time for the end of a demonstration and strike that shut many of the shops (who would ever expect a strike or demonstration in Rome.)
Oh, by the way that tall thing is an obelisk, prominent in Egyptian architecture. But, now Rome is the obelisk capitol of the world, the most prominent being the one in St. Peter's square. I'll go there just to snap a picture for you. (You actually don't need me for any of this, as it's all on Wikipedia.) Really, with the internet, for all you know, I could be sitting here in Jamaica getting all of this off the net. Notice, I haven't appeared in a picture yet.
Anyway, Maria Grazie had insisted that since I was missing dinner, I at least join her in a walk down to the oldest place in Rome for gelato, Fassi. It was a beautiful night for a walk, and I enjoyed a cioccolato gelato while Maria had a double scoop cone. What is there about eating gelato that makes you feel like you are about 6 years old again. In fact, Maria's grandpa used to buy her gelato at the same place. Era una bella serata. Buona notte.
Wish I had some pictures to share, but found out I'm a terrible photographer. For example, here is the inside of the Pantheon, looking up to the occulus to the sky.
Then, just so as not to disappoint Martha, I got totally lost in Rome. Forgot my pocket map, and wandered in general direction of home, but was probably going in circles. Saw a bus that said Termine, (Stazione Termine, the train station) and I knew that was very close to home, so hopped on. Got off at Termine, and thought I recognized it from couple days ago, but trying to retrace my steps, walked out the wrong side, and quickly got lost again. I gave up, and grabbed a cab to go the short way back home. There are many worse things than getting lost in Rome. It was now 3:00 and I was starving, so stopped in un piccolo ristorante vicino a mia casa si chiama La Forchetta D'oro. Started with spaghetti vongole followed by scottoditto, and of course with a pitcher of vino rosso di casa. All very good. Told Maria Grazie, I'd skip dinner and do some more exploring. Wandered down a beautiful strada, Via Merulana, to Piazza San Giovanni. Ok, here's a couple more pics.
Anyway, Maria Grazie had insisted that since I was missing dinner, I at least join her in a walk down to the oldest place in Rome for gelato, Fassi. It was a beautiful night for a walk, and I enjoyed a cioccolato gelato while Maria had a double scoop cone. What is there about eating gelato that makes you feel like you are about 6 years old again. In fact, Maria's grandpa used to buy her gelato at the same place. Era una bella serata. Buona notte.
Did you know that the particular obelisk you pictured was carried across elephants' backs, from Egypt to Rome? It had been strapped on for the voyage, small treks across water, and also across land. Evidently elephants have synchopated steps when traveling together.
ReplyDeleteI am molto gelosa della tua cena di scottodita. This is a particularly Roman dish, and nothing tastes better than having it in Rome. You threw in the Spaghetti con vongole just to make the rest of us cry, didn't you...
I love your take on the oculus. This is one of my favorite buildings in all of Italy. The pophyr marble does not exist in quarries any longer, and each floor quadrant is composed of marble from the four corners of Italy. Not to mention Raphaele rocks, and his sarcophagus lies within this structure. It is heady with history and architecture, and yes, there is quite a bit of physics involved in its construction. There was your history lesson.
As for the gelato, my favorite is pistachio, and nobody makes it like the Italians. Maria has the right idea with going for a double-scoop cone. And feeling six years old again has delighted me ever since I was seven.
Your days are an endless idyll, and I feel lucky just to experience them vicariously. Thank you for your posts.
I should have written all this in Italian, but I was trying to keep up with you in the wine department, and therefore chugged it all down BEFORE reading/responding to this post.
Buona notte o buon giorno, dipendere.
Bacione!
I don't think it is your ability as a photographer as much as the camera itself, the pictures are a welcome gift for those of us who have been left behind to experience your adventure through this media, so keep on snapping those shots.
ReplyDeleteI remember all those sights from when we were there with the girls, i am so jealous you get to experience them again and again.
Geez spaghetti with clams what a novel idea, how many times have you had that since you've been in Rome?
Sounds like a good idea to change class. You just needed to get your feet wet so to speak. It sounds like you are feeling more comfortable with your classes and must be absorbing so much, just by being there.
I want some watermelon gelato!! I'm too jealous. Better enjoy the rest of your slacker week, sounds like next week the real work begins. Also, thanks for the great photos, I'm not gonna lie, I didn't even realize you knew how to use a camera. :)
ReplyDeleteHold on... one day you're in the slow class and the next you're skipping a grade?
ReplyDeleteWhen we click on your photos it enlarges them and being able to see the detail makes a tremendous difference. Okay, not so much with the Pantheon picture, but the others are wonderful that way.
Masters week. I think John plans to tape the remote control to his hand so that I can't grab it when he dozes on the sofa.
Buon Giorno, Giuseppe!
ReplyDeleteI'm a newly arrived lurker here and I'm enjoying your posts very much. Thank you for sharing your Roman adventure!
Bellissimo Giuseppe,
ReplyDeleteHai lo spirito giusto divertiti se vai a Trastevere there is a small vinoteca in via della scala that has really good wine I was there in christmas and the owner is an old guy He maybe still remember me.
If you go ahead in via della scala you find a trattoria "La Parolaccia" is an attraction in Trastevere.
Don't forget to buy a Grattachecca su Lungotevere.
If you are around via del corso and via Frattina there is a nice restaurant called Da Gigi in Via Belsiana in the earth of the shopping area, and on Via Frattina there is a Vinoteca with local wine that is wonderfull.
Around Pantheon and Piazza Navona try the Gelateria Giolitti and the famous caffe' di Sant'Eustacchio take the Gran Caffe'is 3 euro but is good. If you have a chance go on top Monte Mario all'Osservatorio but go there at night and you can see Rome by night. Just have fun in Rome and if you have chance go see my family they will be very happy to have you.