Post by Kim on Dec 29, 2003 9:42:11 GMT -5
Monday, 29 Dec
Was just too good to last on and on.....today is perfectly miserable weather wise. Warm enough, 50's but pretty steady rain all day. But I have had two full weeks of amazingly good weather with just one previous rainy day.
However, have finally made good use of my bus pass and have spent the day riding here and there visiting churches. The sheer scale and scope of the cathedrals here in Rome is unlike anywhere else I believe. Each one more ornate and awe inspiring than the next...with the grand daddy of them all St. Peter's of course. Did not go there today as I will visit when I do the Vatican Museum again. One of the three must 're-do' stops on this trip to cities I have previously seen. Visited 8 others today. Interesting to note that the 'Vatican' controlled churches all allow cameras while the others mostly do not. Maria d'Maggiore was the biggest surprise of the day. Fabulous. I adore visiting churches and always spend a goodly part of any trip doing so. For one thing, some of the most spectacular artwork to be seen can be found in them, normally for free or a very minimal price. Have learned to keep loads of small change in my pocket as most have 'pay to light' boxes that will turn the floodlights on the frescoes, mosaics and artworks.
Have I mentioned that while I am generally a huge fan of the undergrounds in any city, ie London, Paris, et al I really dislike the one in Rome. It's dirty, crowded, mostly all stairs and no escalators and really doesn't go anywhere worthwhile anyway!
And also, have I mentioned that Italian men are gorgeous? Nine to Ninety they are some fine eye candy!
Have reservations for Borghese Gallery tomorrow...really looking forward to that as it's something I missed last time. And, even more exciting, tickets to the opera tomorrow evening, La Traviata and also tickets to a New Years Day concert featuring works of most all of my favorite Italian composers to include many opera arias. Yep, I am grinning over that! Did not drag that dress and heels along for nothing!
Am again amazed at the drivers here....it is a wonder to me that anyone can have a car that is not bashed on every side. They don't seem to believe in 'lanes' per se, they more like to drive in clumps. Everyone all bunches up together and sort of demolition derby style it on down the streets. And they park just anywhere, in the strangest angles with the rear end sticking out or the whole car nearly perpendicular to the street. Yet you see many nice expensive cars everywhere that look just fine so I guess they all do understand the 'rules' even if to us it looks totally chaotic.
Have fallen woefully behind on food reports, but one memorable thing I had I must comment on. Suggested by my waitress when I tried to order something else, she really seemed determined I should try this so I did. Hand made ravioli stuffed with riccotta, spinach and lemon. Yes lemon. Sauce was a basic white sauce I'd guess, again with a touch of lemon and a fair amount of good tomato sauce blended in at the end. It was amazing! The lemon was not overpowering at all, but definately 'recognizable' yet it gave a wonderful ZING to the taste. And the caprese...where are they getting these tomatos in late December? I swear they taste like they just stepped out the back door and grabbed one off the vine. Had a cacciatori (sp?) that was a humbling meal. I like to think I make a pretty good chicken cacciatori....I don't I found out, much like Starbucks doesn't serve a good cappucino.
Oh, took another evening walk last night through the Travestore (sp)area....what an amazing side of rome that is and off the beaten track so usually missed. Although it is being discovered now our guide said. Also into the old Jewish Ghetto, which still looks from the outside pretty awful but is now of the most desirable areas in Rome to live. 5 minutes from Piazza Venetia and 8 from Piazza Navonna. Reminded me of Venice in that it's hidden....outside looks almost like slums, but if windows were open you could see what beautiful places were behind those walls.
Hope all are well......one week to go.
ging
Was just too good to last on and on.....today is perfectly miserable weather wise. Warm enough, 50's but pretty steady rain all day. But I have had two full weeks of amazingly good weather with just one previous rainy day.
However, have finally made good use of my bus pass and have spent the day riding here and there visiting churches. The sheer scale and scope of the cathedrals here in Rome is unlike anywhere else I believe. Each one more ornate and awe inspiring than the next...with the grand daddy of them all St. Peter's of course. Did not go there today as I will visit when I do the Vatican Museum again. One of the three must 're-do' stops on this trip to cities I have previously seen. Visited 8 others today. Interesting to note that the 'Vatican' controlled churches all allow cameras while the others mostly do not. Maria d'Maggiore was the biggest surprise of the day. Fabulous. I adore visiting churches and always spend a goodly part of any trip doing so. For one thing, some of the most spectacular artwork to be seen can be found in them, normally for free or a very minimal price. Have learned to keep loads of small change in my pocket as most have 'pay to light' boxes that will turn the floodlights on the frescoes, mosaics and artworks.
Have I mentioned that while I am generally a huge fan of the undergrounds in any city, ie London, Paris, et al I really dislike the one in Rome. It's dirty, crowded, mostly all stairs and no escalators and really doesn't go anywhere worthwhile anyway!
And also, have I mentioned that Italian men are gorgeous? Nine to Ninety they are some fine eye candy!
Have reservations for Borghese Gallery tomorrow...really looking forward to that as it's something I missed last time. And, even more exciting, tickets to the opera tomorrow evening, La Traviata and also tickets to a New Years Day concert featuring works of most all of my favorite Italian composers to include many opera arias. Yep, I am grinning over that! Did not drag that dress and heels along for nothing!
Am again amazed at the drivers here....it is a wonder to me that anyone can have a car that is not bashed on every side. They don't seem to believe in 'lanes' per se, they more like to drive in clumps. Everyone all bunches up together and sort of demolition derby style it on down the streets. And they park just anywhere, in the strangest angles with the rear end sticking out or the whole car nearly perpendicular to the street. Yet you see many nice expensive cars everywhere that look just fine so I guess they all do understand the 'rules' even if to us it looks totally chaotic.
Have fallen woefully behind on food reports, but one memorable thing I had I must comment on. Suggested by my waitress when I tried to order something else, she really seemed determined I should try this so I did. Hand made ravioli stuffed with riccotta, spinach and lemon. Yes lemon. Sauce was a basic white sauce I'd guess, again with a touch of lemon and a fair amount of good tomato sauce blended in at the end. It was amazing! The lemon was not overpowering at all, but definately 'recognizable' yet it gave a wonderful ZING to the taste. And the caprese...where are they getting these tomatos in late December? I swear they taste like they just stepped out the back door and grabbed one off the vine. Had a cacciatori (sp?) that was a humbling meal. I like to think I make a pretty good chicken cacciatori....I don't I found out, much like Starbucks doesn't serve a good cappucino.
Oh, took another evening walk last night through the Travestore (sp)area....what an amazing side of rome that is and off the beaten track so usually missed. Although it is being discovered now our guide said. Also into the old Jewish Ghetto, which still looks from the outside pretty awful but is now of the most desirable areas in Rome to live. 5 minutes from Piazza Venetia and 8 from Piazza Navonna. Reminded me of Venice in that it's hidden....outside looks almost like slums, but if windows were open you could see what beautiful places were behind those walls.
Hope all are well......one week to go.
ging