I spent an amazing month in a Roman villa. While I was there, I helped out with the social media of their story mapping project called, Storygardenz. An amazing combination of history, myths and legends, and travel. I invite you all to check it out.
Now, onto snip bits of my Roman adventure.
While here I enjoyed of the Italian staple, Pannettone. Something I’ve had since I was a little girl during the holiday season because it’s common in Venezuela. Still, I was not prepared for the deliciousness that is authentic panettone. Next time you’re at the supermarket, I urge you to look for this sweet bread that is absolutely yummy, especially toasted (a new way I tried while in Rome).
Below is a picture of the making of a wine night. I’ve had wine nights before, with cheap white moscato and the Dominoes 5-5-5 deal. So you can imagine how fancy I felt eating fresh Parmesan, wine from Sicily and northern Italy, and toasted bread with natural olive oil and salt sprinkled on top. To my friends back home, one day when I have my own place, get ready for some real w(h)ine nights. Though I will probably continue to host those nights consisting of pizza, Oreos and cheap wine every once in a while…
The day after I arrived, I had yet to fully settle in when my host, Bernard, told me he was going into Rome and could drop me off. Trying to be more open and say yes to more offers, I agreed. With no plan, no reviews checked and no idea what to do or where to go, I was thrust into the eternal city for the day.
As soon as I walked into the first plaza, I noticed the Leonardo Davinci museum. Having read about him since elementary school, I went in and paid the 10 euros for admission.
To be 100 percent honest, it was a little underwhelming. Most paintings were replicas, with the location of the real work on a card to the side. Regardless, I still learned new things and got to interact with some of the inventions he created.
After doing some research, I found that on Wednesdays, Pope Francis gives a papal audience for free. Usually in the square, it is moved inside during the winter.
All you have to do is fax a request form to guarantee tickets. However, during low season there is usually space for some who didn’t get tickets in time. I didn’t have access to a fax, so I took a chance and arrived without a ticket request. Luckily, I was let in with no problem.
I have mentioned before that I was indeed baptized Catholic and practiced it for a while when I was younger. Despite not having gone to Catholic Church unless my grandma is in town, I was still filled with emotion at the sight of the Pope. I felt excited to see a man I see as a move for good and more acceptance in the church. I felt blessed to be there. I felt sad and a tad guilty to be there without my mom and grandma, two people who I felt should’ve been there instead of me. Before the Pope gave the mass, though, priests came up one by one to say in varying languages that those who were there, pilgrims, would be given the Pope’s blessing, and that blessing would be extended to their family members, especially children and the sick. Tears filled my eyes at these words. I realized then I was meant to be there. I realized then I was there not instead of but for my mom and grandma.
Next, I went to this restaurant near the Vatican, Ago e Lillo. They gave me a 15 percent discount coupon, so I figured, “Why not?”
Thenmenu had an array of authentic Italian cuisine as well as burgers.
I ordered the Capriciosa, a pizza which comes with mushrooms, black olives, eggs, ham, and artichokes. It was very thin, so it made me feel less guilty about how large it was. Yup, ate the whole thing. Are you really surprised?
After lunch, I headed to the Vatican museums, where I saw beautiful (to say the least) art with such intricate details, and entered the Sistine Chapel (not pictured since photos are not allowed out of respect). I booked the ticket on tíquets.com, and I recommend it since you do get to beat the line and get a good deal. Many people will come up to you, trying to convince you to buy a tour this and that, and that you’ll get to see the Pope, and that the street is blocked off anyways. I got to not just see but be blessed by the Pope, for free, and walked right into the museums without a wait for about a quarter of the price. Do your research; it may save you some money.
One night my host, Bernard, took me out for some wine tasting at Vinamor, the same place he buys his wine which gets their bottles from all around Italy.
If you’re near Prima Porta, that’d be a little random, but either way, I would recommend this place. The food is delicious and made when you order. Get the pizza bread; it’s addicting.
I did spend a night out in Rome thanks to two of the kindest people I know, Angelica and Juan. Not only did they include me into their plans, but they were there for me when I needed it and let me crash at their place. I’ll never be able to thank them enough.
The next time I went out was with my hosts’ younger son, who was my age. He needed to do his Christmas shopping and catch up with old friends, graciously letting me tag along for some fun with people outlet age.
We shopped, stopped for a drink and then took these pictures with the gladiators by the Colosseum. It is not free but it’s what you can give. However, they will urge you to give just a little more than your original contribution. If you don’t want to do this, keep walking and ignore. But it was almost Christmas, and we were in the spirit of giving.
On my last day in the city on this trip, I took a walk and ate lasagna. However, I am not sure if it was the restaurant I went to, and I can’t speak for anyone or anywhere else since I didn’t try every lasagna made in Italy, but I have to say the best lasagna I have ever had is from Laurenzo’s in North Miami Beach. There. I said it. Maybe it’s the happy post-beach memories. Maybe it’s the bustling market that is connected to the cafeteria style restaurant. Either way, it’s still the best lasagna I’ve ever had.
My top recommendation is to try and see any new city at different times. Go for a coffee in the morning, get some gelato at sunset, grab a drink at night when everything is lit up. You’ll feel like you’ve traveled to three different hours in twelve hours or less.