As my time in Italy is over, I offer a final retrospective on the 3 topics I chose to cover during my stay. I will attempt to summarize as best I can the basics of the beverages in Italy, soccer in Italy and Europe and Campo de' Fiori and other piazzas.
The beverages in Italy are varied and unique. Not only the beverages you get are different, often times the way you order them (i.e. cafés) is different. Wine and coffee, as you might have been guessing, is one of the best deals you can get. Other beverages, such as water at dinner, can be costly. My advice would be to try a wide variety when you can. You will never know what you might like until you try it. And if you don’t, it will only increase your appreciation for American beverages.
Soccer in Italy is truly a way of life. It is often times at the center of conversation and weekend entertainment. It is a pastime for youth, and a lifelong love for adults. The local players are celebrities, which is not a surprise given the adoring support their clubs receive. One doesn’t have to go much further than to stop at Campo de’ Fiori on a Sunday afternoon during the season to see the excitement and emotions of these fans who seem to live and die on every goal. While soccer may not be one’s sport of choice, the respect for its importance in Italy cannot be denied.
Lastly, piazzas in Italy are a source of much interaction in Rome. A quintessential example of a piazza is the one in Campo de’ Fiori. The campo changes into different this depending on the hour of the day. In the morning it is a vibrant open air market, as you get a true taste of Italy as you struggle to order prosciutto from an elderly woman who speaks only Italy. At night, it is an area filled with tourists and Italy young people alike. In a given night you will meet a diverse variety of people. And one can’t even count the number of times a walking vendor will come up to them with the same old sales pitch in a given night. The campo and piazzas in general, are experiences not to be missed.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Piazza di Santa Maria
The last stop on my extended theme on piazzas is Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere. The five of us in the Trastevere apartment traveled here on a Thursday night and it was lively as ever. The surrounding bars and restaurants were full people. However, it likely isn’t the bars and restaurants where your attention is drawn; it is the magnificent Santa Maria church. According to our Eyewitness guide, this was likely the first Christian church built in Rome. Walking up to the church, you can see statues of saint adorning the balcony over the rounded arched doorways. This design reminded me of Saint Peters. Above the balcony are mosaics dating back to the 12th Century. We proceeded inside of the church and on this particular day, the boy’s choir was putting on a performance. We stayed for a few songs and were very impressed. These boys must have ranged from 6-14 years of age and sung with perfect harmony. I also couldn’t believe how loud they sung. We were in the back row and could hear them with good clarity. One of the noticeable aspects of this church is the statue of Saint Anthony. I was told Saint Anthony is the patron saint of lost things. So, when people have lost something important in their lives, the leave a note in the shrine of Saint Anthony. There must have been hundreds of pieces of paper lying on and around this statue.
This piazza was not much different than other piazzas in the way that there were many vendors and restaurants were priced higher than others in the vicinity. So, we decided to save a bit of money and dine a few streets over, and thus ending our trip to Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere.
This piazza was not much different than other piazzas in the way that there were many vendors and restaurants were priced higher than others in the vicinity. So, we decided to save a bit of money and dine a few streets over, and thus ending our trip to Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere.
Soccer in another part of Europe
A final entry on soccer isn’t an Italy one, but rater a Dutch one. Our final weekend venture was to Amsterdam. Saturday night the Netherlands were playing Russia in the quarterfinals of the Euro Cup. Brian, Dom, and I headed to Liedsplein, a large public square in the city to watch the game. We were greeted by a sea of orange-clad supporters huddled around the LCD televisions displayed out side of bars in the square. Earlier in the day, we couldn’t help but give into the fever of the city so we all purchased orange t-shirts. For once in Europe, we felt like we didn’t stick out like Americans upon first glance.
Midway through the match, a Turkey fan (not sure why he was here watching this game) began agitating the Dutch fans. His antics came to a crescendo whenever he aggressively shoved Brian out of the way to try to get closer to the TVs. This did not sit well with the Dutch fans, as one took it upon himself to head butt this man. This man was essentially sticking up for Brian because they were wearing the same colored shirt. It was just one example of likely many, where soccer fans will stick up for “their own”.
The most exciting time of the game came whenever the Netherlands scored with 3 minutes left in the game to tie it at 1-1, and send it to extra time. The crowd was in frenzy, people were setting off flares; it was really like nothing I have ever seen before. Unfortunately for the Dutch fans, the celebration would be short-lived, as the Russians prevailed in extra time. With the game ending, and the riot police coming in, we knew it was time to leave. Despite the disappointing finish, we knew we had all witnessed a truly unique spectacle, which would not be soon forgotten.
Midway through the match, a Turkey fan (not sure why he was here watching this game) began agitating the Dutch fans. His antics came to a crescendo whenever he aggressively shoved Brian out of the way to try to get closer to the TVs. This did not sit well with the Dutch fans, as one took it upon himself to head butt this man. This man was essentially sticking up for Brian because they were wearing the same colored shirt. It was just one example of likely many, where soccer fans will stick up for “their own”.
The most exciting time of the game came whenever the Netherlands scored with 3 minutes left in the game to tie it at 1-1, and send it to extra time. The crowd was in frenzy, people were setting off flares; it was really like nothing I have ever seen before. Unfortunately for the Dutch fans, the celebration would be short-lived, as the Russians prevailed in extra time. With the game ending, and the riot police coming in, we knew it was time to leave. Despite the disappointing finish, we knew we had all witnessed a truly unique spectacle, which would not be soon forgotten.
Beverages in Italy- The free kind!
A final entry on beverages is on one which is free in Rome. I am speaking of the many public water fountains around the city. All you need is a water bottle and you drink for free all day. I have to be honest though, I was a bit skeptical at first. Having grown up on Brita water, I wasn’t sure how “safe” this water would be. But after 2 weeks where none of my fellow classmates perished, I felt I was good to go ahead and try the water. What a great decision that was. Not only was the water good and cold, I was overjoyed at the money I would save over time. Two Euro a day on water was really adding up. And nothing else could possibly be more refreshing on a scorching hot summer day in Rome.
Image courtesy of http://www.romanconcrete.com/graphics/fountain.jpg
Group Walk- Markets
Our group chose Courtney’s walk, which was the walk of different markets in Rome. The first stop on our walk was to a market in Testaccio. This market was an indoor market and sold everything from fruit and bread to shoes and clothes. As you enter the market, you walk past a line of about 6 different fish dealers. This, unfortunately created a somewhat pungent aroma inside of this closed in market. The market wasn’t overly crowded at about 9am when we where there, and it looked as is some people were just finishing setting up shop for the day. After everyone took a lap or two around this market, we decided to head on to our next stop on the walk: the market in Campo de’ Fiori.
I had already been to the market in Campo de’ Fiori several times, so I had an idea of what to expect. This market sold pretty much the same things as the market in Testaccio, but on a larger scale. There were probably 2 or 3 times as many vendors in this market. There was one vendor who I hadn’t seen before. He was selling, in my estimation; the largest selection of soccer jersey’s that I have seen in Rome. He had jerseys from just about every European team imaginable. And at 10 Euro per jersey, it wasn’t all that bad of a deal. I picked up a few for friends back home.
Campo de’ Fiori ended up being the last stop on our market walk. It was nice to compare two different markets: one indoor and one outdoor. I prefer the outdoor, because I feel it is more enjoyable to walk around outside and the odors aren’t quite as pronounced outdoors. For vendors, the indoor is likely the market of choice because many don’t have to set up the shop from scratch and take it back down again every day. That must get annoying after a while.
I had already been to the market in Campo de’ Fiori several times, so I had an idea of what to expect. This market sold pretty much the same things as the market in Testaccio, but on a larger scale. There were probably 2 or 3 times as many vendors in this market. There was one vendor who I hadn’t seen before. He was selling, in my estimation; the largest selection of soccer jersey’s that I have seen in Rome. He had jerseys from just about every European team imaginable. And at 10 Euro per jersey, it wasn’t all that bad of a deal. I picked up a few for friends back home.
Campo de’ Fiori ended up being the last stop on our market walk. It was nice to compare two different markets: one indoor and one outdoor. I prefer the outdoor, because I feel it is more enjoyable to walk around outside and the odors aren’t quite as pronounced outdoors. For vendors, the indoor is likely the market of choice because many don’t have to set up the shop from scratch and take it back down again every day. That must get annoying after a while.
Image courtesy of http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/777/287661.JPG
Day Trip- Vatican Museums
This past week, I had to opportunity to explore the Vatican Museums. Before coming to Rome, this was one place that I was certain that I wanted to visit, and although it took longer than expected, I finally made it there. We traveled to the Vatican by way of the Vatican Corridor. After a surprisingly short wait to get in, we started at the Cortile della Pigna. This was an extremely well kept courtyard, which did well do offset the business of inside the museums. We then ventured to another courtyard, the Cortile Ottagonale. This courtyard held many famous sculptures including the Laocoön. In my opinion, sculptures are presented much better outside, such as this courtyard, rather than in a dark hallway sitting in a line of 30 some more sculptures. I feel like these sculptures can be appreciated much more in the outdoors.
Once inside we started to make our way toward the Sistine Chapel, checking out several other exhibits along the way. One such exhibit was the ancient Egypt room. This room contained a bevy of Egyptian artifacts and works of art. However, I found the mummified body which was over 2000 years old to be the most impressive. We also took a walk through the modern art exhibit, which was a nice contrast to much of the artwork which we have seen in Rome thus far. My favorite paintings in this room were to two works done by Dali. The way he used color in his paintings was impressive, especially when he painted a sunset in the background of one of his paintings.
We had finally made it to the Sistine Chapel after we had taken about 100 different turns along the way. The ceiling fresco done by Michelangelo certainly lived up to expectations. However, I was maybe even more impressed with his Last Judgment on the front wall. There is so much going on in his rendition of the Apocalypse. There was so much to be awed by in the chapel, it was only a shame that no pictures could be taken. The good news is that a place like this will likely leave an impression with you which will last a lifetime.
Once inside we started to make our way toward the Sistine Chapel, checking out several other exhibits along the way. One such exhibit was the ancient Egypt room. This room contained a bevy of Egyptian artifacts and works of art. However, I found the mummified body which was over 2000 years old to be the most impressive. We also took a walk through the modern art exhibit, which was a nice contrast to much of the artwork which we have seen in Rome thus far. My favorite paintings in this room were to two works done by Dali. The way he used color in his paintings was impressive, especially when he painted a sunset in the background of one of his paintings.
We had finally made it to the Sistine Chapel after we had taken about 100 different turns along the way. The ceiling fresco done by Michelangelo certainly lived up to expectations. However, I was maybe even more impressed with his Last Judgment on the front wall. There is so much going on in his rendition of the Apocalypse. There was so much to be awed by in the chapel, it was only a shame that no pictures could be taken. The good news is that a place like this will likely leave an impression with you which will last a lifetime.
Image courtesy of http://www.vaticanotours.com/g/sistine_chapel.jpg
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Piazza del Popolo
One of the busier pizzas in Rome is Piazza del Popolo. Located in the northern end of the city, the piazza can be easily recognizable by the giant obelisk with Egyptian symbols engraved in it, sitting in the center of the piazza. While the piazza may be a bit far from other parts of the city (for me, in Trastevere, it is) it can be easy reached by walking straight north along Via del Corso. While in the Piazza, you can take a walk up Pincian Hill which offers a nice view down onto the piazza and surrounding areas. You can also go to the northeast corner of the piazza and look around in the Cerasi Chapel. The Cerasi Chapel is home to two of the most famous Caravaggio paintings: The Crucifixion of Saint Peter and The Conversion of Saint Paul on the Road to Damascus. There are also several fountains in the piazza including the Fontana del Netunno. The fountain proximately shows the sea god, Neptune, standing over two dolphins. After spending some time in the piazza, you might want to take a walk down Via del Corso and check out the many shops which line the street. Some information provided by wikipedia.org. Photo courtesy of http://www.abcroma.com/P_popolo_N1.jpg.
Italian Soda: Kinnie
One distinctly Italain soda is Kinnie. Kinnie is a bitter tasting soda which was originally produced in Malta. One of the main ingredients in this drink is bitter oranges called chinotto. Chinotto is grown primarily along the western coast of Italy. Not only used in soda, chinotto is a popular flavoring ingredient in many alcoholic drinks such as Campari, a type of bitter liqueur. Kinnie looks like Coca-Cola; however its taste is substantially different. Its bitter sweet taste is distinct, and while you may not like it, it is a nice change of pace and something totally different than American sodas that we are used to drinking for years. Unfortunately, due to the great influence of American sodas in Italy, not everywhere will serve this drink. Try larger supermarkets and bars with a wide selection if for your best shot at getting it. Some information obtained from wikipedia.org.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Information about stops on the walk
The first stop on the tour is the AS Roma Club in Testaccio. While this club is a haven for Roma fans on game day, it is also a popular spot on any given day for people to stop in and talk about the team they love. The walls of the club are lined with AS Roma paraphernalia. This is a must stop for any fan of Roma or a European soccer fan in general.
The next stop is the Official AS Roma team store. After walking around Rome, one will see many street vendors trying to sell “knock-off” Roma jerseys. At the AS Roma store, you will find the real thing. The store is two floors, and has everything from jerseys to hats to flags to pajamas, you name it. This store has everything AS Roma. It is also neat to stop in a store solely devoted to one team. This really gives you a sense of what this team means to the citizens of this city, and how popular they have become.
The last stop on the trip is Campo de’ Fiori. While you might think that the Campo has no relation to soccer, take time to stop on a Sunday afternoon during soccer season, or during any Italy match. The Campo is filled with flag waving die-hard fans rooting on their team. For big games, a giant television will be moved into the Campo to accommodate the excess of fans. Watching a game here really gives you a feel of the passion these fans have toward their team and the game of soccer. In my opinion, the intensity of these fans can rival that of fans of just about any American football team back home. This is a taste of Italian culture that shouldn’t be missed.
The next stop is the Official AS Roma team store. After walking around Rome, one will see many street vendors trying to sell “knock-off” Roma jerseys. At the AS Roma store, you will find the real thing. The store is two floors, and has everything from jerseys to hats to flags to pajamas, you name it. This store has everything AS Roma. It is also neat to stop in a store solely devoted to one team. This really gives you a sense of what this team means to the citizens of this city, and how popular they have become.
The last stop on the trip is Campo de’ Fiori. While you might think that the Campo has no relation to soccer, take time to stop on a Sunday afternoon during soccer season, or during any Italy match. The Campo is filled with flag waving die-hard fans rooting on their team. For big games, a giant television will be moved into the Campo to accommodate the excess of fans. Watching a game here really gives you a feel of the passion these fans have toward their team and the game of soccer. In my opinion, the intensity of these fans can rival that of fans of just about any American football team back home. This is a taste of Italian culture that shouldn’t be missed.
A soccer walking tour
A walking soccer tour of Rome will include stops at the AS Roma club in Testaccio, the Campo de’ Fiori, and the official AS Roma team store.
Starting off at the Piramide metro stop, you would walk north on Via Marmorata. After walking 10 blocks you would make a left on Giovanni Branca. Walk straight ahead and on your right will be the AS Roma club Testaccio. After a stop in the Roma club, you would walk back on to Via Marmorata and continue walking north and eventually walk across the Ponte Sublico. Once on the other side of the Tiber River, you will walk north along the river on Porto di Ripa Grande. You eventually cross the river again on Ponte Garibaldi and continue straight on Via Arenula. After walking four blocks you will see the AS Roma store on your left. To continue on the walk you will get back on Via Arenula and make the first left on to Via del Giubbonari. Walk straight for about 5 blocks and you are at the Campo de’ Fiori. This would end the walking portion of the tour. If you are interested in seeing the Stadio Olimpico which is not within reasonable walking distance, your best bet would be to take the Metro Line A from the Termini Station to the end of the line. Once you are off of the metro, take bus line 32 to the stadium.
Starting off at the Piramide metro stop, you would walk north on Via Marmorata. After walking 10 blocks you would make a left on Giovanni Branca. Walk straight ahead and on your right will be the AS Roma club Testaccio. After a stop in the Roma club, you would walk back on to Via Marmorata and continue walking north and eventually walk across the Ponte Sublico. Once on the other side of the Tiber River, you will walk north along the river on Porto di Ripa Grande. You eventually cross the river again on Ponte Garibaldi and continue straight on Via Arenula. After walking four blocks you will see the AS Roma store on your left. To continue on the walk you will get back on Via Arenula and make the first left on to Via del Giubbonari. Walk straight for about 5 blocks and you are at the Campo de’ Fiori. This would end the walking portion of the tour. If you are interested in seeing the Stadio Olimpico which is not within reasonable walking distance, your best bet would be to take the Metro Line A from the Termini Station to the end of the line. Once you are off of the metro, take bus line 32 to the stadium.
Monday, June 16, 2008
The Vatican Museums
Another place that I would have no problem paying to see would be the Vatican museums. In particular, I would like to get a chance to see the Sistine Chapel. The Sistine Chapel is well known to be the home of possible the greatest display of Michelangelo's artowork, as he is responsible for painting the ceiling and the walls of the chapel. The ceiling of the chapel depicts mnay prophets and biblical scenes. The most famous part of the ceiling is Michelangelo's creation of Adam. Further information can be found at http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/MV_Home.html.
Galleria Doria Pamphilj
If I could choose one gallery in Rome to go and visit, it would be the Galleria Doria Pamphilj. A enjoy Renaissance art, and there may be no better place in Rome to view Renaissance art than at this gallery. Famous artists whose works are displayed in the Gallery include Raphael and Carvaggio. Another great thing about this gallery is that it is situated right next to the Collegio Romano. More information can be found at the gallery's website: http://www.doriapamphilj.it/ukhome.asp
Sunday, June 15, 2008
My AS Roma game
My first day in Rome was a Sunday, which also happened to be the day of AS Roma's last home game of the year. Having heard much about excitement surrounding European soccer, I twisted Shane's arm and we went to the game. Roma needed to win and Itern Milan had to lose or tie in order to keep Roma in the title race for one more week. Roma got out to a 2-0 lead and the crowd roared loudly with each goal that was scored. There was one thing that caught me by suprise, through. For almost no apparent reason, the crowd began to became alive with yells and cheers although nothing was happening on the field. I begin to look around to see if maybe there was a fight going on or something to that nature, but I see that they posted the score of the Inter game on the scoreboard behind me, the score was 2-2. The crowd cheered louder for this score than any of the previous Roma goals. When all was said and done, Roma won 2-1 and Inter tied 2-2, meaning Roma would have a chance to win the championship in their last game a week from then. Walking back from the stadium was pretty exciting with people blaring on their horns and waving flags to celebrate their team's victory. This must have lasted for a good hour until we were finally back in Trastevere from the Stadio Olimpico.
Francesco Totti
American sports are often characterized by stars they produce. Baseball has Babe Ruth, basketball has Michael Jordan, and golf has Tiger Woods. If Italian soccer is to be viewed the same way, then their Michael Jordan would be none other than Francesco Totti.
The 31-year old attacking midfielder is the top goal scorer in AS Roma history with over 200 career goals. A native of Rome, he has turned down numerous high paying contracts to continue to play for the team he grew up loving. This has endeared himself supporters of the club and Romans alike.
In 2006, Totti added to an already illustrious carrer by helping Italy win the World Cup. Despite his age, Totti continues to produce; he won the European Golden Boot Award after finishing as the top goal scorer in all of Europe after the 2006/07 season. Unfortunately Francesco Totti suffered a torn ligament halfway through this past season, causing him to sit out the remainder of his team’s games, including the one I attended. Aside from playing soccer, Totti serves as an ambassador for UNICEF. Some information credited to wikipedia.org. Picture credited to http://www.as-roma-calcio.com/squad/gallery/Francesco.Totti.1.jpg.
The 31-year old attacking midfielder is the top goal scorer in AS Roma history with over 200 career goals. A native of Rome, he has turned down numerous high paying contracts to continue to play for the team he grew up loving. This has endeared himself supporters of the club and Romans alike.
In 2006, Totti added to an already illustrious carrer by helping Italy win the World Cup. Despite his age, Totti continues to produce; he won the European Golden Boot Award after finishing as the top goal scorer in all of Europe after the 2006/07 season. Unfortunately Francesco Totti suffered a torn ligament halfway through this past season, causing him to sit out the remainder of his team’s games, including the one I attended. Aside from playing soccer, Totti serves as an ambassador for UNICEF. Some information credited to wikipedia.org. Picture credited to http://www.as-roma-calcio.com/squad/gallery/Francesco.Totti.1.jpg.
Piazza di Spagna
Another famous piazza in Rome is the Piazza di Spagna. The Piazza di Spagna sits at the bottom of the Spanish steps. This piazza is populated with many people at all hours of the day, as it is located between an affluent shopping district and the steps which are a popular hangout spot for Romans and tourists. The piazza is characterized by a large fountain in the middle named La Fontana della Barcaccia. Bernini’s father has been credited with building the fountain. The fountain looks like it has a sinking ship in it. The piazza also has historical significance as the home of English poet John Keats is in it. Some information credited to wikipedia.org.
Roma- Lazio rivalry
There are two professional soccer teams from Rome in the Italian Serie A. They are AS Roma and SS Lazio. While AS Roma has been the more popular and successful team over the years, there is still quite a decent divide in the loyalties of Romans. I remember on my first day here I asked my cab driver, which of the two teams he preferred, his response was, “Two teams? There are not two teams in Rome. Only AS Roma”. It was clear where his loyalties lied. Another time, when I was taking a taxi to the game, I asked my driver what he thought of AS Roma’s team this year. He answered, “No Roma, Lazio, Lazio, Lazio!”, while making quasi-fascist salutes. Needless to say, Romans have one favorite hometown team and one only. The two teams play against each other twice a year in a game called the Roma Derby. These games are always sold out and are unfortunately the backdrops for violence and vandalism. The rivalry continues to ignite passions in scores of Romans.
Piazza Navona
In an effort to broaden the topic of Campo de’ Fiori, I am now writing about various other piazzas. One piazza, in particular, that interests me is Piazza Navona. Piazza Navona has plenty to offer and is more than just a hang-out spot for the one and only Kev-O. The piazza is home to many expensive restaurants and all kinds of live entertainment during the day and night. This past Friday, there was a huge crowd gathered around to see a magic show which was taking place. There was also a good number of gypsies hawking knock-off purses and sunglasses. In comparison, Piazza Navona seems lager in size and the number of people in it than Campo de’ Fiori. Another cool thing about the piazza is that it was being used to film a scene for the upcoming film Angels and Demons starring Tom Hanks and directed by Ron Howard. This only added to the usual mass of people that congregate in the piazza on a Friday night. The human traffic jam was worth it, as you don’t always see a blockbuster movie being film right in front of you every day.
Stadio Olimpico
The Stadio Olimpico plays host to AS Roma and SS Lazio home soccer matches and is one of the most famous stadiums in all of Europe. The Stadio Olimpico’s tradition is deep, having been in use since 1936. It has been the host of Olympic Games, World Cups, and European soccer championships. It is also one of the largest stadiums in Europe, holding over 72,000 people. Almost as impressive as the stadium itself, are the rows of marble statues that lie right in front of the stadium, creating a very unique sporting experience.
If you happen to attend an AS Roma game, there are a few things you should know about the stadium. The cheapest seats (15 Euro) are in the north and south ends of the stadium, called the Curva Nord and Curva Sud. The Curva Sud is where the most rabid AS Roma fans sit. This section is characterized by fans waving giant flags all game, and sometimes settings off fireworks and flares. The sections along the sidelines are more expensive, with some costing over 100 Euro a ticket.
On a final note, the Stadio Olimpico will be on the world’s stage next year as it hosts the UEFA Champions League final.
If you happen to attend an AS Roma game, there are a few things you should know about the stadium. The cheapest seats (15 Euro) are in the north and south ends of the stadium, called the Curva Nord and Curva Sud. The Curva Sud is where the most rabid AS Roma fans sit. This section is characterized by fans waving giant flags all game, and sometimes settings off fireworks and flares. The sections along the sidelines are more expensive, with some costing over 100 Euro a ticket.
On a final note, the Stadio Olimpico will be on the world’s stage next year as it hosts the UEFA Champions League final.
Beverages in Italy- Soda
Soda (or pop, or whatever you choose to call it) in Italy is pretty similar to that in America with slight variations. The first is the naming of Diet Coke. In Italy (and most of Europe), it is called Coke Light. The packaging is also a little different, which may seems to change from country to country. Another suprise is how popular the drink called Fanta is. I remember it being popular about 5 years ago when I was in Mexico, and it is every bit as popular in Italy. For those unfamiliar with fanta, it is a citrus flavored soda that comes in an orange bottle or can. While Fanta is sold in the United States, it is not nearly as popular as in Italy. A downside of consuming soda in Italy is the price. If you want one with your panani, you are likely to pay 1.50 Euro (the equivalent to over $2), for a bottle.
Beverages in Italy- Water
One of my first pet peeves with Italian culture was how water is distributed. First off, if you ask for water, or aqua as it is said in Italian, you will need to specify that you would like aqua naturale if you want to drink the water you are used to. If you don’t make that distinction, you are likely to get some kind of frizzy mineral water. The second problem I have with water in Italy is that when you are at a restaurant and order water thinking that you will have a nice cold free beverage, they bring you out a big bottle of water costing 4 Euro. You can try to ask for tap water, in the times that I have tried, they often don’t understand you and you get the 4 Euro bottle anyway. This is one slightly positive side of water in Rome; the public water fountains. It is not uncommon to find a small water fountain sticking out of the sidewalk or out of the side of a building. This provides a good opportunity to fill up a water bottle, especially on hot summer days.
Beverages in Italy- Liquor
The most common Italian liquor is lemoncello. There tons of different varieties of lemoncello, even the way it is packaged can vary greatly. Just look in any of the tourist shops and you will see many different shaped bottles of the lemoncello. If you have never had lemoncello, it is like a lemon head, only sourer. Another famous Italian liquor is Disaronno Amaretto, or any amaretto for that matter. An amaretto is an Italian almond flavored liquor. In America, Disaronno Amaretto can be rather expensive. In Italy, a liter of Disaronno costs as much as a liter of Jack Daniels in supermarkets (16 Euro). Lemoncello is also reasonably priced in Italy compared to back in the States.
Boys Town
Before I went to boy’s town, I had the image of a slightly chaotic place where boys were divided into factions, and you would see two or three large groups segregated from each other. This could not be further from the truth, and I have Lord of the Flies to partially blame. The town seemed very clean and organized. Everything down to the condition of the one boy’s room was in perfect order. There was no chaos (in fact, I’m pretty sure I could count on one hand, the number of boys I actually saw during the visit). The place seemed like it would help give the boys a good education. Heck, the computers at boys town looked newer than the ones we have at the Sede! It is horrible what these kids had to go through, but boy’s town looks like a place where these kids can make the best out of the situation that they were given and go on to lead a positive life.
Ostia Antica
One our further field trips from Roma was to Ostia Antica. Ostia Antica is the ruins of an ancient city, thought by some to be the origins of Rome. A 20 minute train ride from the Pyramide stazione, and we were there. All of Ostia Antica was fascinating, however my favorite parts of it was the amphitheater. The amphitheater offered relief from the walking that we had been doing on the cobblestone walkway. Sitting on the stone bleachers made you think back to over 2000 years ago when this city was thriving. I wondered what performances might have taken place here back in the day. On that particular day, girls were rehearsing a dance routine on the stage. Going all the way to the top of amphitheater, gave you an awesome view of Ostia Antica. Reclining against the back wall of the amphitheater and looking off into the distance gives you a peaceful moment away from what can be a hectic city. Image courtesy of wikipedia.org.
Campo de' Fiori- statue of Giordano Bruno
One of the first things that will catch your eye when you are at the Campo is the statue of Giordano Bruno which stands in the center of the Campo. At first glance, the guy looks a bit creepy. He is wearing a giant coat with the hood pulled down over his head. His facial expression is stern and he looks like he is gazing down on you. A brown wreath was placed at the foot of this statue. In general, the statue is very intriguing. I was curious to know more about Giordano Bruno.
Giordano Bruno was a priest in the late 1500’s. He had a great interest in science and philosophy. As you might imagine, these things did not sit so well with the Catholic Church at the time. So, Bruno was excommunicated. After excommunication, he traveled to France and England. He later returned to Italy and was put on trial under the Roman Inquisition. He refused disavow his philosophical beliefs and was found guilty. Two weeks later he was burned at the stake in Campo, at the same spot where his statue stands today. It is also interesting how Bruno’s statue faces toward the Vatican.
Giordano Bruno was a priest in the late 1500’s. He had a great interest in science and philosophy. As you might imagine, these things did not sit so well with the Catholic Church at the time. So, Bruno was excommunicated. After excommunication, he traveled to France and England. He later returned to Italy and was put on trial under the Roman Inquisition. He refused disavow his philosophical beliefs and was found guilty. Two weeks later he was burned at the stake in Campo, at the same spot where his statue stands today. It is also interesting how Bruno’s statue faces toward the Vatican.
Campo de' Fiori- soccer matches
Throughout much of the year the Campo is a popular spot for Romans to watch soccer matches. The bevy of bars that line the Campo offer many options for watching the games. And, when important matches are played, giant tv’s similar to those in Vatican square, are set up for the masses to observe the game. I was fortunate to take in one of those matches in the Campo. AS Roma was playing their final regular season game and would win the league championship with a win and an Inter Milan loss or tie that same day. It was a scorching Roman afternoon, and the Campo was packed. The mass of people let out a collective roar when Roma scored five minutes into the game. People were waving flags and scarves and any other paraphernalia that they had. The atmosphere was very intense. You didn’t want to walk away, even to get a drink on this hot day. But alas, AS Roma ended up tied at the end of 90 minutes, and their bitter rival Inter won to deny them of the championship. All the pandemonium was gone and you are left with the feeling of what could have been. Nonetheless, it was a unique experience which was very worthwhile.
Campo de' Fiori- history
The Campo is certainly an interesting place. A few places can be so different just by what time of day it is. A place this interesting makes you pretty curious about its history. The Campo was largely unused during ancient Rome and didn’t get its name until the Middle Ages. The name Campo de’ Fiori literally means “field of flowers”. Hundreds of years ago the Campo was just a meadow. In the 17th Century, many traders set up their posts in the Campo. It was interesting to learn that the surrounding streets are named after these craftsmen. In the coming years this would prove to be a pivotal stop in Rome as it served as a corridor for people traveling from San Giovanni in Laterno to the Vatican and back. It was around this time which the Campo was the host of public executions. The very prominent statue of Giordano Bruno was erected in 1887. And the market that you see in the Campo in the morning first started back in 1869. Much of this information can be attributed to wikipedia.org.
Campo de' Fiori- late night
At about 10 p.m. the Campo starts to fill up with youth of all nationalities. Italians come to mingle with the tourists; tourists come to mingle with the Italians. Because Italy has no open container laws, you see scores of young people wandering through the Campo drinking a big Peroni or the some sort of cheap wine. It is this time of night when the statue of Giordano Bruno. By the end of the night this man’s statue is littered with a myriad of alcoholic bottles which are soon to be picked up by the fluorescent colored Roma waste management workers. I can’t help but feel like Mr. Bruno would be turning over in his grave if he could see this. One’s patience is also tested at the Campo during the night. Flocks of gypsies confront you trying to pawn of some of their junky goods. The Campo doesn’t seem to quiet down until around 1 or 2 on weeknights, and after 3 a.m. on the weekends.
Campo de' Fiori- dinner time
The Campo at dinner time can seem like somewhat of a magical place. On a night where there weather is pleasant, when patron dine outside and eat on tables that wobble because of the cobblestone. As the sun goes down, the Campo becomes lit up. If you are lucky, a strolling violin player will come by to serenade you during your meal. When a starts playing, a waiter will come over and listen for a minute. If he is good enough, the waiter will simply walk away. If he doesn’t pass the test, the waiter will send him on his merry way. The one downside to dining at the Campo is the food itself. Overpriced, and often times not all that good, food at the Campo is nothing special. Many places offer a limited selection tourist menu. If it is atmosphere you are looking for, you will enjoy the Campo. If you are looking for an affordable, authentic dining experience, please try to look elsewhere.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Beverages in Italy- Wine
When one thinks of Italy, the first beverage that comes to mind will likely be wine, or vino in Italian. And since I am not a connoisseur of wine by any stretch of the imagination, I won’t be providing a critique of different wines, but instead I will try of give a brief overview of the Italian wine scene. The two main wines you will order in Italy and vino rosso (red wine) and vino bianco (white wine). One of the first things you will notice when shopping for wines is that they are a great bargain in Italy. You can find a pretty decent bottle in a grocery store for 3 Euro. At a restaurant, things can be a little different. You will often have to upwards of 10 Euro for a bottle of wine. There are also a few other variations of wines which you can buy such as prosecco, grappa, and dessert wine. Prosecco is a chilled sparkling wine, grappa is a grape based pomace brandy, and dessert wine is a sweet wine as one might imagine. Out of these 3 varieties I have only tried the dessert, which I would recommend highly to anyone. In general, you almost can’t go wrong with wine in Italy. As a rule of thumb though, try to stay away from wine packaged in jugs and plastic bottles. Special thanks to wikipedia.org for some wine descriptions.
Beverages in Italy- Coffee
A cup of coffee or espresso is a popular choice among many in Rome in the morning before they go about their day. While a stop at the bar on the way to work or class in the morning is about more than just the drink itself, no one can deny the affordability and great taste of their coffer drink of choice. An espresso can be purchased for roughly 70 cents at the right place. It is also funny how these drinks are served. The espresso comes in a tiny cup, with a tiny saucer and a tiny spoon. The espresso, strong by nature, seems especially strong in Roman bars. Other popular coffee drinks include café latte, cappuccino and macchiato. Both drinks are reasonably priced at around a Euro. One important note: when ordering and what be a “latte” in America, be sure to ask for a café latte. If you simply ask for a latte, you would be ordering plain milk, which is latte in Italian.
Italy vs. Netherlands in Euro 2008
On Monday, June 9 Italy faced the Netherlands in group play of Euro 2008. My roommates and I wanted to get a taste of the atmosphere surrounding this sporting event so we went the local bar in Trastevere. We showed up just before the start of the game and were lucky to snag the last available table. About 10 minutes into the game, the bar was packed. I found it neat how before the game, when they played the Italian national anthem on the T.V., many of the people in the bar loudly joined in to sing the anthem. I can’t remember this every happening in a bar or restaurant before an U.S. sporting event. Unfortunately, the initially rowdy atmosphere in the bar was subdued after the Netherlands got out to a 2-0 halftime lead. We decided to compare this atmosphere with that of Campo de Fiori. On the way to Campo, we passed a Netherland bar that was so packed that there were fans watching from the outside the bar. There was a giant banner with Dutch writing on it hanging outside the bar filled with orange clad fans. Once at Campo, we were unable to grab a seat and were resigned to watching the game from the outside. Despite to 2-0 deficit, the Italian fans seemed more animated than at the Trastevere bar. When all was said and done, Italy lost 3-0 and the Campo was filled with disgruntled fans that were staggering their way home.
Euro 2008
Every 4 years, the European Cup is played. The competition begins with every European country playing round-robin group play until a top 16 teams are determined. The final 16 teams are divided into groups of four which then play at a host site. Out of each group, the top 2 teams move on to tournament play where a winner is determined. This year, there are duel host countries: Switzerland and Austria. Italy is among the final 16 teams and is considered a favorite to win the whole competition. The last winner of the European Cup was Greece, who looks to retain their title this year. The competition begins on June 7 and runs roughly a month.
AS Roma Traditions
The Italian soccer club AS Roma has a stories history and many traditions. Last year the club, founded in 1927, celebrated its 80th season last seasons. Over the past 80 years the club has developed 2 major fight songs. The first song, “Roma Roma Roma”, is sung by the crowd before the game begins. I unfortunately arrived a few minutes late to the Roma game I attended, so as I was walking up to the Stadio Olimpico I heard the echoes of fans belting out Roma Roma Roma. The other fight song sung by the Roma fans is “Grazie Roma”. This song is sung after every AS Roma victory. With Roma perennially being one of the top 2 or 3 Italian teams, this song is heard quite often throughout a season. Current versions of both songs are sung by Italian recording artist Antonello Venditi.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Before Boys Town
After doing a little research on the Boys Town in Italy, I was suprised to learn that it is actually an American charity. There are 31 of these towns throughout Italy. The Boys Town is not limited to Italians, it welcomes children of all backgrounds. Their philosophy is to develop children through active participation. They even have their own self government in Boys Town. The Boys Towns' head office is located in New York City. You can learn much more by going to http://www.boystownofitaly.org/.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Directions to the Spanish Steps from Termini
From the Termini train station, facing the Piazza d. Cinquecento, you would start off walking straight along Vle. L. Einaudi when heading to the Spanish Steps. You will pass Piazza d. Republica. The street changes to V. Vittorio Orlando but you will keep walking straight. You will reach San Maria d. Vittoria on the right. There you would hang a slight left and go along Via L. Bissolati. You take this street until you reach the Palazzo Margherita on the right. There, you would make a left on Via Liguria which turns into V.D. Artisti. On Artisti you would make a left on Via Fran. Crispi. Then you make a quick right on Via Sistina which you take straight to the Spanish Steps.
The Spanish steps are a series of elaborate steps leading from Trinta dei Monti to the Piazza di Spagna. These stairs are lined with flowers in the summer. In the evenings the steps are a popular hangout spot for young Romans. However, eating is not allowed on the steps.
The Spanish steps are a series of elaborate steps leading from Trinta dei Monti to the Piazza di Spagna. These stairs are lined with flowers in the summer. In the evenings the steps are a popular hangout spot for young Romans. However, eating is not allowed on the steps.
Directions to Campo de' Fiore from Termini
From the Termini train station, facing the Piazza d. Cinquecento, you would start off walking straight along Vle. L. Einaudi, when you are trying to get to Campo de' Fiore. You would continue straight until you reach Piazza d. Republica. There you would make a left and walk down Via Natzionale. About 5 blocks down on Via Natzionale, you will pass San Vitale church on the right. Another 2 blocks down you will pass the Bank of Italy on the left. Pretty soon you will make a right on Via 4 Novembre. You will continue on this road, even though it changes names. It will be called V.D. Plebiscito when you need to make a left on V.D. Baullari. All you need to do is walk straight and you are at Campo De' Fiori.
By day, Campo De' Fiori is an open air market. You can find everything from butchers to italian farmers selling their fruits and vegetables. By night, Campo is a magnet for tourists diners. Gypsies interrupt your dinner by trying to sell you flowers or things with flashing lights. And be careful, as many Campo restaurants have tourist menus.
By day, Campo De' Fiori is an open air market. You can find everything from butchers to italian farmers selling their fruits and vegetables. By night, Campo is a magnet for tourists diners. Gypsies interrupt your dinner by trying to sell you flowers or things with flashing lights. And be careful, as many Campo restaurants have tourist menus.
Directions to Via Appia Antica from Termini
The Via Appia Antica was built in 312 B.C., it connected Rome with the eastern part of the empire. It was family tombs lining it. Now tourists come to see the many Christian sites such as the Catacombs and the Church of Domine Quo Vaddis. It is also a nice shady walk to escape from Rome's heat.
To get from the Termini train station to Via Appia Antica take metro line A toward Anagnina, get off at the Colli Albani stop. There, you would catch bus #660. You would not need to get a separate ticket for the bus, as the one for the metro can get you on the bus too. The bus will drop you off at the end of Via Appia Antica. The stop is on Via Cecilia Metella. To get back you can take the #118 bus from Domine Quo Vadis Church to the Circo Massimo metro stop. The Circo Massimo metro line is line B, which means you will have to take it towards Rebibbia. It might be smart to buy two tickets at the first metro stop so that you will be good for later. The Domine Quo Vadis stop is about 2 miles from the Via Cecilia Metella on opposite ends of Via Appia Antica.
For sightseeing, as soon as you get off of the #660 stop at Casa Dell' Appia Antica to rent a bike. Bike south to see the scenic sites. One of the first things you can see is Capo di Bove. This is a recently excavated Roman bath. Going down this will be on the left side of the road. Right across the road on the right side is the ruins of a Roman gothic church of San Nicola. It was part of a mideval fortress. If you are still biking, you can head down and see many ruined tombs and mausoleums. After you have seen enough, head back up north and walk the 2 miles up to the #118 stop. There you can see the catacombs of San Sebastiano and San Callisto.
To get from the Termini train station to Via Appia Antica take metro line A toward Anagnina, get off at the Colli Albani stop. There, you would catch bus #660. You would not need to get a separate ticket for the bus, as the one for the metro can get you on the bus too. The bus will drop you off at the end of Via Appia Antica. The stop is on Via Cecilia Metella. To get back you can take the #118 bus from Domine Quo Vadis Church to the Circo Massimo metro stop. The Circo Massimo metro line is line B, which means you will have to take it towards Rebibbia. It might be smart to buy two tickets at the first metro stop so that you will be good for later. The Domine Quo Vadis stop is about 2 miles from the Via Cecilia Metella on opposite ends of Via Appia Antica.
For sightseeing, as soon as you get off of the #660 stop at Casa Dell' Appia Antica to rent a bike. Bike south to see the scenic sites. One of the first things you can see is Capo di Bove. This is a recently excavated Roman bath. Going down this will be on the left side of the road. Right across the road on the right side is the ruins of a Roman gothic church of San Nicola. It was part of a mideval fortress. If you are still biking, you can head down and see many ruined tombs and mausoleums. After you have seen enough, head back up north and walk the 2 miles up to the #118 stop. There you can see the catacombs of San Sebastiano and San Callisto.
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