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Published: April 27th 2008
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As a Christmas gift for Evan and myself. Our lovely mothers rented out an apartment flat for a week in the East side of Rome. We beat the mothers there and explored the flat. A beautiful apartment with two bedrooms, a kitchen, bathroom, dining area, sitting area and a stunning terrace. It was beautiful. Our mothers arrived shortly after, seeing them was both a very exciting yet incredibly odd feeling. It had bee, after all, almost 6 months. After a round of hugs and touring the place we had a small bite to eat at a nearby cafe. We then went out for a grocery shop, just around the corner. We bought lots of 30 cent beers, 1 € bottles of wine, massive loafs of bread, hunks of cheese, salami, proschiutto, olives, pasta, and much more. Yes, it was going to be an amazing week. That night, Evan and his mom went out to have dinner with a few relatives, and my mom and I went out alone for dinner near the Piazza di Spagna.
The next day, we ate breakfast on the terrace outside, then had lunch with the same relatives whom Evan and Pearl dined with the other night.
two scooters
neither had a speedometer We ate at the Casa del Jazz, apparently once a Mafia hangout. We admired the three full walls of names of past Mafia members. Never before have we seen so many 'Giovannis'. After thanking our hosts for lunch, we headed out sightseeing. First we went to the Colosseum. The world famous amphitheatre, the largest the Roman empire ever built. Though it is in fairly rough shape and far from what it used to be, due to fires and wars, it is still majestic and mighty. The rest of the day was spent shopping along del Corso, the main strip in Rome with the Piazza Venizia at the end. There, you can find the best labels for anything you ever wanted to wear. Coach bags, Luis Vitton luggage, Bvlgarie jewellery, Calvin Klein jeans, Dolce and Gabanna, Prada, Gucci... the list goes on. We also visited the Spanish Steps which happened to be near, where we ate at a small pizzeria before heading home.
Day three was a lazy day for Evan and myself. The mothers went out to a Museum, and we agreed to meet them at a restaurant for dinner. Along the way, Evan and I busked for a bit
to make some money near the Colosseum, and again infront of the Pantheon. Dinner that night was amazing, with an enormous Antipasto platter to start. Before going home, Evan and I busked for awhile longer with the mothers observing. We enjoyed some Gellato on the way back.
The next day was a very busy day. We had to go to the Singapore Airlines office in Rome, to change our final flight date. We then went to the Rome Termini to book a train to Amsterdam and to find information on day trips out of the city. Finally, we really wanted to see a James Taylor concert that was happening on the 16th. After buying calling cards, pretending to stay at a hotel, trying three payphones, and a call centre with internet. We found out that tickets were all sold out but a few in second row, which were going at a pretty high price. That night, we ate in; a yummy home cooked pasta dinner with an antipasto platter and wine.
On Monday, Jen and I had an appointment booked with a doctor. I had been sick for awhile now, and lost a considerable amount of weight. The hospital was
far and getting there was a pain. When we got there, we couldn't find the doctor we were supposed to meet, and to make everything even more difficult, we had his name spelled wrong. After making a few trips back and forth and asking many questions, we found him and I was seen.
While we were at the hospital, Evan and Pearl toured around Trastevere and saw the Vatican. We agreed to meet back home that night for dinner.
When we finally got out of the hospital. Jen and I also walked around Trastever, but more south near the basilica of Santa Maria. Stunning area that feels a lot more Italian than the rest of Rome. We met back at the apartment after a long day of walking and headed back out for dinner.
Tuesday, we decided to get out of the city for the day. Rome is exciting and beautiful, but we wanted to see something new. So, we took a train to Nettuno, a small town on the coast. It was wonderful to get away for the day. It was new and peaceful and quiet as we walked along the beach. In Nettuno, there is a cemetary for
all the American soldiers who died while trying to take over the city in WWII. The white marble crosses filled the fields, thousands of them, all aligned perfectly. It was very peacefull at the cemetary, we took our time. We then had lunch back in the centre of Nettuno before catching a train back into Rome. Nettuno was very quiet and many stores were closed. It was obvious that it was a summer destination, and we could tell that it would be a happening place in July.
When we came home, we were too tired to go all the way into Rome centre, but lucky enough for us, there was a recommended restaurant right across the street from us. Mainly seafood. We ordered a healthy amount of food, and not such a healthy amount of wine. We were all surprised by how good the food was, and the atmosphere was great as well. Behind us sat a group of locals who were enjoying what seemed like every single dish the menu had to offer. And next to us sat a very large man eating and drinking alone and very slowly at a table. He seemed to know everyone in the
restaurant, and whenever he needed another bottle of wine, he helped himself. We were convinced he was a Mafia boss. At the end of our surprisingly amazing meal, the waiter poured us all shots of God knows what and we all drank. It was a very fun and entertaining dinner. The drinking continued back at the flat and we all slept soundly that night.
Wednesday the 17th was our last full day in Rome with our mothers. The week had flown by. Evan and I each split up with our mothers to spend quality alone time for our last day. Evan and Pearl toured and shopped near the Spanish Steps, and Jen and I took as many pictures as we could and did as much last minute shopping as possible. We met up at the end of the day and ate out at a very nice restaurant called Toto for our last dinner with our mothers. We were the only ones the whole night, and it was perfect.
Rome is a wonderful city. A city of art, food, wine, and plenty of Ancient Roman architecture. We visited the Colosseum, the Vatican, the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and
many squares such as; Piazza Venizia, Piazza di Spagna, and Piazza Navona.
We ate at some amazing restaurants where the waiter will tell you what you'll be having. And shopped around famous shopping areas. Our week in Rome with our mothers was one we will never forget.
Love,
Chris and Evan
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