Una Giornata Particolare...

I recently saw the movie "Una Giornata Particolare" with Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni. Every week at my language school they show a movie in Italian. This movie is a about a few hours of a particular day in Rome during a dark part of history in the world, shared between the two main characters. I sort of had una giornata particolare last week. I was in the middle of doing homework and wanted to take a break and get out of the apartment. I'm at the stage where I'm writing small papers now.


Even though I looked out the window and it was pouring rain I decided to go out anyway. It was a couple of the best hours I've spent in Rome. I went to a Tazzo d' Oro, (pictured) a cafe' that is supposed to have some of the best coffee in Rome. Although I don't drink coffee I had to try it. "Vorrei un caffe' e un muffin" (I would like an expresso and a muffin...you didn't think I was going just for the coffee did you???) Che buona! It was actually very good...very creamy and smooth, very rich etc. Hmmm....maybe I'm a closet coffee drinker! I'll try their rival for the #1 spot,



Sant'Eustachio Il Caffe' to see if that wasn't just an anomaly. (Another day I went to the second cafe' before I met my friends at the cinema. The coffee and the lemon pastry I had was very good. I'll leave it up to the serious coffee drinkers to say which one is truly #1 in Rome. They both had a nice ambiance....ok...that translates into cute Italians.)


After my snack I went on a walk through the Roman streets and snapped a picture of a cute tourist couple trying to keep each other dry(pictured). It was very peaceful as most of the tourists scrambled for cover and I could move around freely through the streets. On my way home I remembered where I was in this downpour and ran to the Pantheon to see the rain fall through the oculus (opening in the dome ceiling). It was almost magical. While walking through the shallow river the rain was making on the cobblestone street, a waiter yelled at me from under his awning, "Bella, che fa?" (What are you doing?). I just yelled back to him with a smile, "E' un bel giorno!" (It's a beautiful day! ) To me every day in Rome is beautiful...even the rainy ones.

One day while out walking I went to Piazza del Popolo, a busy piazza where there are many people out shopping and people watching. I listened to a man play jazz on a saxophone and then decided to walk up the steps to the trees to Pincio Park. The park overlooks the square and was one of the best places to watch the sunset. (pictured) I also spent a few minutes in Piazza Farnese. I snapped a picture of this

fountain on one of the side streets off Piazza Farnese.

One day I took the tour of Castle Sant'Angelo with the rented audio guide with my friend Kelly. (1st Castle picture taken from another day) I love the audio guides because you can go at your own pace and skip around. The highlight was the terrace of the angle (pictured). It was a terrace with a beautiful view of the city.
It has a huge 18th century bronze statue of Archangel Michael


and the Bell of Mercy, which in the past announced executions. (pictured) There is also a statue of Archangel Michael in the main courtyard (pictured) Also pictured is the courtyard of the well which also has a high wall of the Papal apartments, 16th century frescoes and a 15th century well. The door to Alexander VI's prison is pictured here in between the frescoes. There are also pictures of me and the drawbridge and Kelly as we started up the ramps. We actually had a snack in a nice little snack bar they at


the Castle. Unfortunately it was raining so we couldn't sit outside at one of the tables with the nice views. Lately we have had some rainy days but not like the days on end of damp and cold days other expats warned me of. Thankfully, we have had plenty of mild weather and sun.

Another day while in the Jewish ghetto section of Rome I had a great lunch at Giggetto Al Portico D'Ottavia. It is a well known family run restaurant that specialize in traditional Roman-Jewish

cuisine. I had all the recommended items like the carciofi alla giudia (Jewish artichoke) and the battered and friend salted cod etc. But I also had a stuffed canneloni in besciamella sauce that was great. I had their saltimbocca (veal cutlet wrapped around ham & sage) and a piece of fruit tart. Unfortunately I was following everyone else in their wine consumption and unlike everyone else that drink wine normally or growing up , I didn't really drink alcohol before coming here and my 2 glasses of wine sent me home for a nap. (smile)

Another day I had dinner ate at Tapa Loca, a Spanish tapas restaurant. The
gazpacho reminded me so much of when I lived in Spain...and reminded me that I needed to make arrangements to go over there soon too! It was a dinner full of sangria, serrano ham, spicy tapas dishes, churros con chocolate etc. It was wonderful. There are a few restaurants that have other cuisines but most of them aren't very good. That is ok with me because I still love Italian food and eat it every day....there are still so many dishes to sample. I'm working up my nerve to try the famous trippa (all romana or alla milanese or alla romana...tripe). I'm sure it is very good.

Hey...is there anything any of you have seen or read about that you think I should visit?? Let me know....although I'm still working my way through my travel books I would welome any suggestions. Grazie!

Some of my planned trips are Ostia Antica, Tivoli, Naples, Milan, Spoleto and Venice.

Bugiarda!

(Liar!)

I guess I was lying when I said I get enough sleep, exercise regularly and eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. La Bocca della Verita' (Mouth of Truth) bit down on my hand! Saturday was a nice sunny day so I took a long walk. I visited Santa Maria in Cosmedin church (pictured with the fountain of Piazza Bocca della Verita' in front of it). The Bocca della Verita' sits against the wall under the porch outside the church. I found an empty bench in the Piazza and sat there for about 30 minutes people watching. On the walk to the church I also passed two small Roman temples still standing, believed to be a temple of Vesta



(round) and a temple of Castor and Pollux (both pictured at bottom).

Another day I walked around my own neighborhood. Behind the Pantheon is Via Del Pie Di Marmo. It has The Pie' di Marmo (The Foot of Marmo). An ancient marble foot that is probably part of a giant statue from the temple to the Egyptian goddess Isis. Wow! I thought my women's size 8.5 were big... she had REALLY big feet!! (wink)

I also visited in this area the church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva...the only Gothic church in Rome I believe...although you wouldn't know it from the facade due to a revisions years ago. Under the altar are relics of St. Catherine of Siena. You can see on the square in front of the church is a Bernini sculpture. OK...Bernini...man you know I love ya...but what's up with the elephant holding up the Egyptian obelisk????

Last night (Sunday) at All Saints' Anglican Church there was an Ecumenical Service of the Word for The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. It was sponsored by churches together in Rome (the

Ecumenical Gathering of English Language Christian Churches in Rome). There were choirs and pastors from various Christian churches but Santa Susanna's own Fr. Greg was asked to be the guest preacher and gave the sermon. It was a very lovely evening. I've attached a picture of the various clergy in front of All Saints' Anglican Church.

One morning I went to catch the History of Rome at the Time Elevator. The time elevator is a tourist attraction where they show an Imax type show while you are sitting in the seats that move and shift to add to the effect of realism. It was actually a pretty good brief history of Rome. Funny....at one part they were discussing the the black plague. They were showing rats because they were believed to have been the means to spread it around to the people. They showed a rat climbing up the leg of a man and at the same time they blew puffs of air at our legs.

I jumped and actually almost screamed! It was so funny! At the end they showed different pictures of modern day Rome...the people, the fountains, the churches, the restaurants, the sights etc. and I felt a little sentimental... I got a little choked up. I don't want to leave!!! (grin) Roma definitely holds a special place in my heart.

Another day I stumbled upon the Area Archelogica del Teatro Di Marcello e Del Protico D'Ottava. It is archeological area with old ruins etc. It is still amazing to me every time I see the different ancient structures and ruins. It takes my breath away every time. This time just seeing broken columns (some very ornate) really captured my attention. I also stumbled upon a man giving an impromptu act of a play in Italian inside one of the arches of the old structures. You can't just plan these moments. Wonderful!

The sign on that piece of stone says "Frammenti Architettonici Da Via Del Portico D'Ottavia. Provenienti Dalle Demolizioni Degli edifici del ghetto." It is a fragment found during the demolition of the buildings of the ghetto.

Home Sweet Home...

I've just returned to Rome after spending 2 weeks at my Louisiana home. I wish I had more time there because I ran out of time before I could see all of my friends...especially Caroline and the Simms...I'll see you in March!

My friends Mary Ellen and Dave (birdsitter extraordinaires) hosted a dinner so I could see my friends while I was at home. It was wonderful! I think everyone had a great time...I know I did! I've posted some pictures. Top: Shellie, Jen and Andrea. Middle: Mickey, Randy, Kevin, James and Donna. Bottom: Garrett, Roxie, Wanda, Dave, Tim and Martha . Mary Ellen and Diana managed to escape my camera.

I picked up my little baby birdies Tiramisu and Mascarpone. I guess they missed me because I couldn't go to another room without them flying to be by my side. When I was on the computer, they flew and sat on the printer. When I was paying bills they flew and sat next to me. (But didn't pitch in any money I might add!)



When I watched the Oprah shows I taped on Tivo they sat on their play pen and watched it too. When I took a shower they had to sit in front of the bathroom mirror and play with Q-tips. Oh, well, I didn't mind them being a little clingy...I missed them too!

I picked up some Diet Coke with Splenda to bring to my friend Kelly from Canada. They don't have


it there or here in Rome. I was joking with someone before I left saying I was her dealer. I guess it wasn't far from the truth because when I got to Rome and opened my luggage it was gone. Airport security must have taken it...weird.

My friend Joi from my hometown of Battle Creek, Michigan is an officer in the Air Force and was deployed to Iraq when I was home. I (jokingly of course) told her that if she gets scared she can throw herself into the arms of a handsome soldier. She says that is a no-no in the military. Oh, well, I tried to help her. (smile) Joi you are in my prayers. Please say a prayer for

her too. Thanks!

I was able to see my friend Dorothy while I was home. I brought her a cross blessed by the Pope as she took good care of me the day I had surgery for my broken hand last year. She loaded me up with snacks for the trip back to Rome. Thanks! They came in handy as I didn't have any groceries in my apt and was too jet lagged to walk to the market.

Ladies, when you see Fr. Peter, tease him a little for me. He was kind enough to fit me into his busy schedule when I was home but he called me old! He said I took off to Rome on a mid life crisis! I'm surprised he didn't say I gained weight too! (After all this pasta and pizza I'm surprised that I didn't) Well, at least he wasn't as bad as my mom. She called me on my 35th birthday and asked if I was officially an old maid now. Ha Ha. She has been far short in subtlety in expressing that she would like to see me married. Hey, mom...I'm working on it! I keep missing George Clooney at his Italian villa! Actually, Fr. Peter, I'm just teasing you... I don't mind getting older. I actually plan on spending my 36th birthday, March 10th, in Venice, sipping on a Bellini, floating down a gondola paddled by a cute Italian guy singing in a red and white striped shirt. Not bad, huh?

Buon Anno! (Happy New Year!)

Shaking hands with Pope Benedict XVI at the Mass for All Saints Day in St. Peter's Basilica November 1st 2006

Solennita' Di Tutti I Santi - Santa Messa - Celebrata Dal Santo Santo Padre - Benedetto XVI - Basilica Vaticana - 1 - Novembre - 2006