The Shoe Man of San Giovanni Market

At the Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano intersection, right alongside the start of the Via Sannio street market, there is a truck. Inside that truck miracles happen.

Though I pass this truck just about every day, sometimes multiple times per day, it wasn't until today that I started to think maybe it is actually very creepy. You see, there is a nice old man who owns the truck and repairs shoes inside of it. Whether it is a strappy sandal emergency, a stiletto heel busted on the Roman cobblestone streets, or just some good old fashioned sole searching, this is your man. He'll fix any shoe quickly and cheaply. This is part of the beauty of Italy, we don't just throw things out because they are broken. There is a fix for everything.

If only I could get past the part about the dozens of little dolls and barbies attached to the grill of his truck...must ask him about the meaning behind the doll collection on of these days. Boh!

Me vs. Rome City Hall: VICTORY!

With the amount of complaining I do about the ghastly bureaucracy in Rome, I think it is only fair to give credit where credit is due. This morning I left the house at about 10:00, fully prepared to spend an hour or two in line at the municipal building only to be told that I was missing some paper and should come back.

Rather, there was only one person ahead of me, and when it was my turn I was assisted (as always, from the other side of a bulletproof glass with a tiny circle through which I would squeak out my request) by a lovely young woman who helped me correct the few errors on the form I
had to submit, and within 15 minutes or so I was out of there with my signed, stamped (Italians love stamps) and approved documents.

I must say that it being August in Rome and most Romans are still on vacation had something to do with the fact that it was all so quick and easy, but still. I have nothing but love for Italy today. Except of course that it is 100 degrees today!

Worth mentioning, the fan you see in this picture actually dates back to the founding of the Roman Republic.

Roma, a love/hate saga - part one

I am truly lucky to live in Rome. Of all the places in the world, I am so thankful that I can actually call this one my home. That said, from time to time this city can really get a girl down. Here are 5 reasons why today was one of those days.

1. Why bother even trying to keep a decent looking car in this city? Some insane Roman driver is inevitably going to come along and plough into it.







2. Would it REALLY kill them to just put my three items in the bag for me and send me on my merry way?














3. Is that toilet ACTUALLY broken, or are they just too lazy to have to stock it with toilet paper and soap (let alone clean it). I suspect the latter.











4. Hold it right there!! Was I just served a Hot Dog with my 8 Euro aperitivo?? Toss me an olive, a crostino, ANYTHING but a hot dog.












5. Somebody give these kids a double espresso!












Guess what, I feel better already. Back in love with bella Roma and finished whining (at least for today).

8 reasons to Love living in Rome

After all that has been in the news of late I thought it was time I penned a few thoughts of cheer... 8 reasons why I love being here.

1. The Gelato ! Who out there can deny it . Here in Rome is where my taste buds are spoiled for choice ... there are so many flavours, and from my 'research' each place has its own signature one that keeps patrons coming back for more, here at Roberto's place you can sample a rich pure chocolate with just a twist of chili. These flavors entwine together to make the perfect bite. All of his ice cream is made in this little place pictured here. I used to come here almost every day when I lived in this part of Rome.

2. The Gelato! OH did i say that already ... "squisito" that's how to say delicious in the Italian language. Say it aloud and you feel it . It is a beautiful word.

3. Summer balmy nights, when a stroll around almost every corner brings us to the ice cream which is still being scooped out at midnight.

4. I love the fact that I can be a tourist every day and then go home to all my comforts: pure bliss.

5. Villa Borghese ... a charming , grand park located in the centre of Rome , a stone's throw from Piazza del Popolo where anyone and everyone can find a place to sit alone on a bench reading or daydreaming. It's a perfect place to stroll leisurely or take a brisk speed walk along the many pathways and little roads.

6. One of my favorites is hiring a bicycle built for four and taking a 'drive' on a Sunday afternoon around Villa Borghese with my family, stopping only for .... an ice cream.

7. If I need to stay indoors for a few days , that my "holiday" isn't lost or wasted ... the Colossem still waits for me.

8. I couldn't let this go by without saying that the best way to start the day off is with a coffee and cornetto . What better place to live, to love to live ... than here in Rome.

BRRR!

It's FREEZING IN ROME! I guess it's about time we had a taste of winter, but this morning gave me a bit of a startle when I opened my balcony doors to look for a broom in order to sweet up the remnants of a pizza party my Roman mutt had on the kitchen floor last night. It was an arctic blast, coming right in from my fourth floor window. The high temp today was about 16 degrees Celsius, and the low about 6.


The one small consolation is that with winter come the holidays. In just a few short weeks we'll start celebrating with the Immacolata on Dec. 8, then Christmas, Santo Stefano, New Years, and La Befana. Let's hope that this year is like most other winters in Rome, with the weather not sinking far below 4 or 5 degrees at the lowest. Otherwise, it may be time to hibernate until the spring?

Stay warm readers, and buona notte!

Sun Makes a Sneak Appearance in Rome!

After ten days of rain, the sun is once again shining in Roma. Just when I had pretty much accepted the fact that the days of sun and warmth were over and winter had reared its ugly face once and for all, there is hope!

I took advantage of the beautiful morning and had a long walk through the Terme di Caracalla, the Circus Maximus, and the Villa Celimontana. My blissful zen state was nearly ruined however when I needed to use the public bathroom inside the park - which clearly states opening hour of 10:00. come 10:05, I began to lose patience and yelled at the lazy workers who just shrugged and said someone would be along. Persistence paid off today though, after a few more insults they finally got the keymaster to open up.

All in all, a lovely start to the day, and to the month of November in Rome.