Pasta without Wine is like a Day without Sun.... (translated)

wet leaves on the bridge to a small island in Rome

I would go into extreme detail about what I have been doing for the past few weeks but not only would that take forever it would also bore you and myself.  Plus all I really want to do right now is take a nap along with everyone else in this house.  Of course with the bit of quiet and time it is also perfect for writing a little about my trip to Rome.  This may be a little different than previous posts because I am tired of the day-to-day writing.  I would rather mention different events in particular or observations I have made-- such as how there should be a heavy fine for anyone that has an urge to sing on a train and goes through with it!  This fine can be wavered if it is one of those times where most everyone is involved or maybe it is a small group of people in their own cabin and not bothering anyone else.  If it is anything like what I endured I don’t know if a fine is enough.  I was enjoying my train ride to Rome (a day late but more on that in a min.) and toward the end wanted to save some battery in my phone for calls when I arrived- I had been using it for music and needed to get ahold of my cousin upon my arrival in Rome.  At this point one of the other occupants in my cabin on the train found this to be the perfect time put on headphones and rock with her cd player.  The beauty of headphones is generally no one else is forced to listen to what you are listening to, but when the person wearing them decides to sing along with the music you are not only forced to listen to it but depending on who is doing the singing you may lose your hearing.  I was blessed with a voice that couldn’t manage to hit the right notes and a person who couldn’t manage to catch all of the words.  She went from humming to all of the sudden a burst of emotion as she could sing along with the chorus.  Instead of getting angry though all I could do was hide my laughter and try to record it. 

down a Roman street

Now had I been able to get on my other train I wouldn’t have had this entertainment but I would have had extra time in Rome.  The day before I arrived in Genova with Simona and Mattia for the night.  I got to the train station with about 20-30 min of time before my desired train so I would have plenty of time to get a ticket and get settled before heading south.  There quite a long line at the ticket office so I headed to one of the ticket machines (I used to use these all the time and they are quite wonderful….well).  First machine wasn’t working so I went to another but passed it because of the line.  I spent at least 10 min trying to buy a ticket at another machine that wouldn’t process my payment.  Finally I went to the only one that seemed to be working and a lady approached and said would be out of order for a few min since she needed to reload the  money inside.  I tried another machine… it didn’t work.  I ran to the platform and asked if it would be possible to buy a ticket on the train with a response of ‘yes but it will cost you 50 euro extra’ HA I can’t afford that!  There must be another train.  I waited in line at the ticket office-- next train is at midnight.  I spent the night in Genova and left the next morning.

Pantheon-- one of my favorite buildings-- I have yet to figure out why.

I was on an Intercity Train (they don’t stop quite as often as some)-- this is where I had the cabin on the train.  Anytime someone left they would say bye or good day.  Even the afternoon singer saluted everyone when she left. I’ve been on trains where people occasionally offer to share some of their food with other members of the cabin but I had never heard everyone say bye.  Of course it is harder when there are a whole car full of people so sometimes it is just a small remark to someone you had a conversation with, but even in the cabins I hadn’t heard much from other passengers.  It was a nice addition to the journey.

Christmas market in Rome

Finally I arrived in Rome.  I was able to stay with my cousin and her roommates so that was nice.  Leann and I went out for a walk and met her boyfriend for an apertivo (drink and snack before dinner) followed by a nice Roman meal at the house that evening with some of their roommates and friends. 
The next day Leann and I explored part of Rome from a walking tour that I had printed out-- we kind of followed it then we just started to wander.  We wanted to wander toward the Pantheon and some good food but were having a bit of trouble with both.  We decided that when we would just know when we found the right place to eat.  After checking a few menus we finally turned a corner and spotted the perfect place.  There wasn’t a menu in the window or very many tables inside.  You could see a man and his wife were the only ones running the place and she was cooking in the back.  We were greeted by him and asked if we would like red or white wine with our meal.  Red of course.  After a few minutes our pasta arrived- simple and delicious!  Next question was if we would like chicken, veal or meat (red meat)- I went with the chicken and Leann opted for veal.  Dessert came later and it was slightly sweet biscotti (not what you buy at starbucks) these were round with a hole in the center -- just little cookies but wonderful.  Our wine ran low so we were brought some more and then after we snuck a few of the cookies in a bag to take with us (yes we are american) he brought a couple more so we finished the wine and grabbed a cookie to eat on the way out.  A splendid meal!  Shortly after we found the Pantheon and it started to rain.  Time for a coffee.  We paid for the coffee then ordered and had some water to wash it down.  Then we were surprised with a treat-- some sort of coffee ice shake poured into our empty cups.  Who is going to turn that down?  We thanked the bar tender and headed out.  We had a long walk and some crazy traffic to bypass to get to the San Lorenzo area for dinner-- Pizza!   Since most Italians are generally late we had a beer and watched the traffic on a Friday night.  Our pizza and appetizers were wonderful and followed by drinks at Blow. From there we got a ride home from some friends. 

roasted chestnuts in the market

Saturday was nice with the sun shining (finally) and a walk through the park before my train to Florence.  That story will be another day-- I think this is plenty long for now.

in piazza del pantheon

Buon Natale!!

 

I hope you all have the most wonderful holiday season.  Merry Christmas and many wishes (tanti auguri) for the new year! Miss you all! Love, Meghan  [100% made in Italy]

here is my Christmas card to all of you.  I would send real ones but that would require a large sum of money that is not in my possession, but I promise that I made this one with each of you in mind.  It is even made out of Florentine papers so here is sending a little Italy to you this Christmas!  Merry Christmas everyone and I promise I'll write about my trip to Rome soon.

Day to Day

Amazingly it hasn’t been too terribly long since my last post. You all should be thrilled!
Tuesday the 24th I went for a walk into town- it was a nice day so I took some pictures of windows and things to draw when I got to the park.  I would draw them from life but it would be rather uncomfortable and there wasn’t much that interested me around the park.  I picked up Mattia from school and then got my iPhone back that night!  I was so excited.

Chopping limbs off the tree that had fallen over in the forest.

Wednesday I went to Prato Nevoso and helped chop limbs off a tree to use as garlands over the shops in part of the village.  Well I didn’t do any chopping but I did carry the limbs around.  I was happy to have something to do instead of feeling useless while everyone else worked around the office.  I also went to meet another girl who is a nanny for one of Simona’s friends.  She is from Germany but has been working in the States for the past couple of years.  We had a coffee and chatted for a bit.  I think we will be meeting up with the kiddos from time to time so they can play together a bit in the snow and we can have someone else to talk to.  I know another girl from Vermont is getting here this weekend so it will be good to meet her too. 

View of Prato Nevoso from the Bar/Cafe - View from the bottom of the slopes

Thursday-  We went to Mondovi to do a couple of things and while we were parked there was a Gelateria near by named ‘Sweet Balls’  -- this is by far my favorite thing that has happened all week.  I laughed for the longest time and took one photo from the car but HAD to get out and take one up close. (you can note my previous post for more information)  Also probably the most ‘I’m American’ I could have done.. oh well it made me happy!  So the other reason to go to town was to meet another girl who is working near by.  She is here from England and is Megan too.  We chatted over tea and hot chocolate then went to find out more information about the busses.  Now I know how to get to Mondovi without having to ask Simona to drive me or wait until she is going.  I just need a bus ticket (not too hard to come by).  OH yeah it’s Thanksgiving.. I made an apple pie!  The crust wasn’t as flaky as it should be but it was still good.. I had to use all kinds of different conversions to get the ingredients right.  I had dinner here but downstairs at Gian’s parents house b/c Simona went out for work.  Fresh pasta and sauce.  Then I waited until around 10:00pm so I could be skyped in to Thanksgiving Dinner at home with the family.  It was nice.  Maybe we can do the same for Christmas too-- that is if they don’t mind eating a little early again.

Apples! - Apple pie..

Saturday we went back to Prato Nevoso and I saw a Saint Bernard in person-- HUGE!!!  I don’t think I had ever seen one in person before.. it was awesome.  We took care of a few things at the house there and then had lunch.  Later Mattia and I played in the new Ski School office--- a lot of playing.  And sometime in the middle we went for cake and hot chocolate.. the cake was wonderful-- tart like with jam in the middle and my hot chocolate was divine-- the whipped cream was homemade.  Then more playing: spinning in circles and playing with flashing lights= a good time!  During dinner Mattia asked me if I would like a mandarin (he had just given his mom a piece of his) so I said yes of course thank you and he said that I could go and get one from the bowl.  It was hilarious… and he didn’t ask if I wanted part of his -- my assumption.

Light toy we played with for hours - my hot chocolate with cream looked better before I drank half of it.

Sunday- I didn’t feel so well and woke up too late to go to Prato Nevoso again so I watched a movie here and did some laundry.  It was yucky outside so it was nice to lounge a little bit.  Mattia and I played when he got home-- my water bottle squirts water so that was pretty fun.

 New hiding place!

Monday- cleaned and planned for my upcoming trip to Rome and Florence.  I leave Wednesday for Rome to visit my cousin there.  I haven’t seen her in about a year and a half when I left her in Rome- so it’s perfect really.  Then back to Florence because I like it there and to do a few things I didn’t get to do the time before PLUS I can do some Christmas shopping in the markets.  I’ll write more about that later but for now I have to go… someone is coming for dinner and I should probably clear out my stuff from the kitchen!

p.s. I'm sorry but I am lazy and have not edited any of the photos...