Sneaky Sundays

...maybe not too sneaky, this time, but wow! ...dreamy...
Last Sunday, the weather was too hot, so I spent a lazy day at home, and dared to step out only after dusk.

I had some chinese food downtown, while pleasantly seated outdoor with a friend of mine.

Then, we crossed the quiet Tevere river,

That's a warning sign!

It says: "Tools falling from above".

That's weird... Have you ever expected something falling from...let's say...below ??? :)

A day of women only...

It was a perfect day today.
A quiet and lazy morning at home with my daughter.

A relaxing walk in a relaxed downtown for some summer shopping.

A distinct feeling of how much

La Bruschetta

Just one block away from the famous Via Veneto, this cozy Trattoria is the perfect spot for a pleasant, yet informal, immersion into Italian food, beer and... courtesy! 
I came twice with a Canadian friend of mine (we love the Italian atmosphere in here!) and we had the greatest pizza ever, a delicious dish of linguine with white clam sauce and a superb veal entrée. 
Prices are reasonable and the staff is absolutely special. American visitors will love it!

And today, while I was browsing the net

Work in progress...? (part 2)

Do you remember the guys restoring the house in front of my friend's one?
Well, I do believe in Faith...

...but their creed is by far stronger than mine! :-)

School's over !

As every big city, Rome too becomes more and more livable, when school ends and until it restarts, with an apex in mid-august. In this period, you need 7 (seven!) minutes to reach a spot, that usually requires you a half hour drive! 

And you can even choose the parking place that fits you better!

All this occurs, not only because the car traffic diminishes, since armies of mothers are freed from taking their children to school, but also because entire families, except for working parents, move to their beach houses on the coast until the end of July. Those who do not own one, rent one. And those who can't afford renting, can count on friends' invitation. 

In a country like Italy, where the average of children per family is 1.4, who's that youngster, who loves spending a whole month by himself away from his BFs?

But it's in August, that all big factories close for at least two full weeks, dragging in this "forced" vacation all the smaller ones that do business with them. Which means, that most of the Italians are off work in this period. And at the seaside!

Downtown shops, though, as well as restaurants, bars and cafés are kept open, apart from a few days at the turn of mid-august, and for this reason, more and more people prefer the quietness of the empty city than the loudness of an overcrowded beach.

Guess to what group do I belong? and what about you?

Are you R(h)omesick?

I have just found this short, but amazing clip. And I thought of all those people, who having spent only a few days in this marvelous city, might dream of coming back some time... To all of you: enjoy it ;)

Thanks to Gullivermediologia

25.06.2012

I just found out, that the video I posted... has been deleted ! ooops...sorry!

You can watch it at this url: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91YIRgBZioc

Walking in Rome

As I have stated in a previous post of mine, drivers have an incredible hard time to find a parking place in Rome. Not only in specific areas, but in the whole city. 
The traffic itself slows the car flux, and this unavoidable inconvenience reduces inexorably the time at one's disposal to bring his goals to an end. This is the reason why, some people park in second row. But, in case they don't want to be "bothered" by those drivers blocked by their cars, they have an excellent alternative...

Panoramas of Rome from the left side of the Tiber

In the residential area of Parioli district there's a very small park, ideal for kids to play and for parents to take a rest. That's Villa Balestra. 

It's quiet, clean and frequented by local residents. 

The view is  not superb, but you can sit outside a small coffee shop, while keeping an eye

Panoramas of Rome from the right side of the Tiber

Did I tell you, I love cities that can be taken at a glance? I chose four angles from which you can admire the beauty of Rome, and here are the first two.

Monte Mario Park offers a beautiful walk downhill. If you stay at the Hilton Hotel, its entrance is just around the corner, at the foot of the Observatory. The park is mostly frequented by dog sitters and their "babies", but they usually stop around the entrance area. So if you walk down its beautiful and stone-paved path, you'll benefit from nature and privacy!

Il Gianicolo, the green area right above Trastevere, is definitely a