Posts Tagged ‘Rome’
Work-in-progress wants YOUR opinion
I was thrilled when my blogging buddy, the talented YA author Evelyne Holingue, tagged me for the Work-in-progress challenge. Through her blog post, I discovered that Evelyne is not only a prolific YA author, but she also writes essays on her experiences as a French woman living, working, and raising her children in her adoptive…
Read MoreReason #5379 to love Rome: Michelangelo’s Moses
There’s a great expression in Italian, l’imbarazzo della scelta, which translates loosely to such a wide range of choices that it’s almost embarrassing. That’s how I feel about Rome’s artistic treasures. There’s simply so much to see in Rome, and much of the treasure trove is absolutely free to visitors. One such (marvellous) artistic example of…
Read MoreReason #5378 to love Rome: “The Art of Bread” at Rome’s Panella bakery
Romans have loved their bread for the past 2000 years. The famous “Panis et circenses” (bread and circuses) poked fun at how easily the Emperors could maintain their power over the masses in Ancient Rome. Although the circuses (gladiatorial battles, pageantry and ancient circus performances) may have been replaced today – some would claim by…
Read MoreReason #5377 to love Rome: Rome wasn’t (re)built in a day…
I’ve lived in Rome for the past (gulp!) fifteen years. Not surprisingly, as soon as I landed here, I insisted on living near the Colosseum. We Americans are always fascinated by European history. We grew up going on tours where we’re told something is ‘really old’ if it was built 100 years ago, so imagine…
Read MoreReason #5376 to love Rome: Volpetti delicatessen
If you’re visiting Rome and doing it right, there is no reason you should be feeling hungry between meals. Nevertheless, to be fully versed in Rome’s food culture, no visit to the Eternal City is complete without a stop at Volpetti, on Via Marmorata in the Testaccio neighborhood. Be sure to stop in and have…
Read MoreTruth or (ancient) fiction?
I recently went with my family to visit the fabulous Alma-Tadema exhibition in Rome at the Chiostro del Bramante. Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema was a Dutch artist who moved to England and became part of the late nineteenth century Pre-Raphaelite movement. Although not as well known as Dante Gabriel Rossetti or Edward Burnes-Jones, Alma-Tadema’s artwork was…
Read MoreReason #5375 to love Rome: Golden Gala 2014
I spend a lot of time at children’s track and field meets, so it’s a nice change of pace each June when the international stars of track and field – the adult variety- descend upon Rome to participate in the competitions of The Golden Gala. I already wrote about the competition last year. This year’s…
Read MoreReason #5374 to love Rome: Mandolino concerts in ancient ruins
I pass the Auditorium Mecenate on a daily basis. For years, I’ve been curious to visit the site of ancient Roman banquets and concerts, but it is rarely open to the public. The structure above ground is enclosed by a gate, a sign announces that tours can sometimes be arranged through a central office. So…
Read MoreReason #5373 to love Rome: Basketball
Most people know that Italians really only have one true sport. Call it soccer, calcio, football. It’s all the Italians love. Yes, when the Olympics roll around, Italians tend to do well in fencing, swimming and water polo. In the winter, the German minority in Italy’s Alto Adige region pile up the medals in skiing,…
Read MoreWriting inspiration on the commute
I’m very pleased to be a car-free commuter. My early morning walk into work is just under 20 minutes and – at the risk of sounding immodest – it’s one of the prettiest commutes ever. I live in Rome and each day I watch the Colosseum loom into sight as I descend the hill in…
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