The heart of my obsession is Rome. The most amazing thing about Rome for me was how, even though I didn't speak the native language and I had no clue how to get around, Rome felt small and homey and easy to understand, almost immediately. Every subsequent trip after the first, felt even more so. I think that part of this immediate adoption came front the fact that on all three of my trips, we stayed in an apartment and lived like Romans. This way of staying in Rome is spacious and relaxed and a bit less expensive than hotel living. We could shop for groceries, do laundry and drink wine on our terrace, just like the locals.
Based on my personal experience, I like to say that it is virtually impossible to get a bad meal in Rome. I am sure that there are many that would disagree with that assessment, but I would think that you'd have to try very hard to to get a bad meal. If you stay off the main tourist drags and piazzas, there is nothing but goodness.
The last time I left Italy, I sat on the plane and cried. Leaving Rome is like leaving a lover at the height of a torrid affair. There is no reason to leave your heavenly union except the earthly obligation of home, family and work. And as I may or may not have said after a few glasses of wine, it pained me to return to my job and to the disappointment that I would feel when I learned my boss did not meet a Julius Caesar style fate while I was away.
I wish I knew when my next return trip to Italy will be. We had hoped to go back this summer, but it does not appear to be in the cards for 2013. That means that I am going to spend the next 365 + days thinking of Italy some 75085 times. Good thing I enjoy the subject matter.
Here are some favorite pics from my trips.
Pictures and text are copyrighted. No use without permission, please.
Lamps in a dress shop in Florence.
Gorgeous produce in Campo de Fiori in Rome.
The man, the master, Dario Cecchini in Panzano.
Dario's famous lardo and meats.
Lamps in a dress shop in Florence.
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