FALL FOOD IN ROME

The season is changing here in Rome.  I came across a wonderful display outside a restaurant near Trevi Fountain yesterday I thought you would enjoy.  It's funny, here in Rome many of the restaurants love to display their fresh mushrooms to lure people in!!  I have been getting an eyefull!!

There are also the chestnuts sold on the corner roasted the old fashioned way with logs. 

The Romans have reasonable portions, but I still see some waste at restaurants because it is not common or fashionable to take home any leftovers.  Like Greece, you just leave it to show a status symbol.

FOOD WASTE REDUCTION IN ROME     * * * ( Portion size EXCELLENT, but low score due to no takehome boxes and people over ordering)

BIRDS CIRCLE ROME, FOR AT LEAST AN HOUR , IT WAS SPOOKY!

Yesterday Karen and Mary and I were walking home and we saw all these birds circling the Vatican and surrounding area.  More kept coming, I mean there were MILLIONS in the air like large clouds.  They were putting on an air show of some sorts.  The sky was at times black with birds!!   I tried to capture some pictures but do not think they will do justice.  If you can enlarge them you wil see what I mean!!

Karen Johnson and friends arrive safely back to Rome!

Julie, Karen and I

                                                                 Julie, Mary, Me and Karen( cut off!)

Last week Diane Sandman and I met Karen Jonhson, Gayle, Brook and Julie in Rome and wished them Bon Voyage as they cruised off on a two week adventure.  They went to Greece, Siciy, Turkey, Egypt, Rhodes and I am sure a few other places I forgot! everybody said that they had gained weight!!

I was lucky enough to see them again on their return and Julie and Karen even spent the night with Mary and I.  We had a nice dinner out along with a stop to one of our favorite Gelato stores.  Here are a few photos.....

COMMUNITY IN ROME  * * * * *   ( due to meeting old and new friends there!!)

FOOD WASTE REDUCTION  * * * * *  ( WE SHARED 3 entrees BETWEEN 4 people--NO WASTE!!)

Mary Feeney Arrives in Rome!!

A very good friend of mine, Mary Feeney arrived in Rome a few days ago.  It is great to be able to share this beatuful city with good friends!!

BAR TABACCHI TAVOLA CALDA is my favorite lunch spot in all of Rome!

If you get the opportunity to ever come to Rome, take it! It is truly one of the most beautiful and cultural places on the planet.

And when there you should go to lunch at Bar Tabacchi, Tavola Calda on Via Cicerone, 68-70. 06 3235511.

They have different food everyday and let you choose the portion sizes!! The food is seasonal and fresh. It is a simple counter service, and full of a mixed class of working locals.

The last time I was there with Karin Slabaugh they were so busy at the register that they told me to eat first and pay after!! Diane Sandman and I enjoyed many lunches there too.

This place reminds my of so many of the 'community kitchens' that are sprouting up. Maybe I can talk to them about volunteer options and get them involved in the One World Everybody Eats movement!!

Oh yes, your plate of food is 6 EUR.

FOOD WASTE REDUCTION * * * * * ( they let you choose your own portions!!!)

COMMUNITY * * * * * ( we felt right at home at Tavola Calda when they let us eat first, then go to the register!!)

MEETING KARIN SLABAUGH IN ROME

Karin Slabaugh and Diane Sandman in my Rome apartment

For months I have been talking/emailing with my new friend Karin who was coming to Rome the same time I did and staying almost the exact same days. She is putting together her own internship with the Montessori school and specializing on children from birth to 3 years of age.

We met for the first time last week when my friend Diane was still here from Denver. Diane and Karin hit it off. Karin has a place to stay now with Diane while in Denver when she visits her other Montessori trainer!!!

SALT LAKE CITY FRIENDS MEET UP IN ROME!

My friends Karen, Gayle, Hollie, Julie and Dian - a Von Boyage Toast!!

I got a facebook note that my old friend Karen Johnson was going to be leaving on a cruise out of Rome of all places with three friends,Gayle, Julie and Hollie all living in Salt Lake City.

We all met up for dinner with my friend Diane Sandman who was visiting from Denver for World Food Day. Diane is on the Board of Directors for the Comfort Cafe, a community kitchen out of Denver.

What a small world. We all had a wonderful visit and a Bon Voyage toast to my Salt Lake friends!!!

Community in Rome * * * * * ( due to old friends in a new pace)

Food waste reduction * * * * * ( we cleaned our plates!! and shared!!!!)

PIAZZA NAVONA

I hope I never forget the moment I first laid eyes on Piazza Navona and the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi ( Fountain of the 4 Rivers) by Gianlorenzo Bernini. The sculpture has 4 Gods which correspond/represent the 4 main rivers known at that time: Ganges, Danube Plate, and the Nile.

Absolutely breathtaking!!

COMMUNITY IN ROME!!!!

Emanuele Stangoni and Joseph Mallari taken right after we realized we all knew each other!

Today I found an apartment. Not just any apartment, but one that I am sure to remember for a long time!

I have been looking for days. Joseph Mallari, the best realtor in Rome had been searching for days. It was really hard. He is such a great and caring person he even referred me to another agency because he could not find anything for me.( October is very difficult if you have not booked ahead!) While I was with the other agency I looked at two places by the same landlord,

Today in an entirely different part of Rome who should pull up to meet Joseph and I but the same landlord!! This is unbelievable! It was so funny, Joseph could not believe that we knew each other! And Emanuele could not believe I was still without an apartment!

So I have a funny story with a great ending of two new friends helping me find my Rome apartment.

If you are of need of an apartment in Rome, please contact Joseph Mallari he is the best!! His email is yuccaapartments@gmail.com. Joseph is also a history buff and can tell you fascinating local historical details as you look for an apartment! His website is www.yuccaapartments.jimdo.com

COMMUNITY IN ROME * * * * * due to Joseph and Emanuele

( based on a * - * * * * * star rating system

SOME FOOD IN ROME, I love the way they serve pizza!!

Just tell them the width you want and then it is weighed

Fresh pizza cut the size you want!!

I cannot imagine saying anything bad ever about the food in Italy! I was very impressed with they way they serve pizza here in the small pizza shops. You choose the size slice you want and then thy weigh it and NO WASTE!! I thought of doing something like this about 5 years ago,in the One Wolrd style, but now that I see how it is done here, I am ready to roll on the idea some day!! I will include pictures. I would like to start the first one in Manhattan.

I am spending my time in Trastevere right now, which means 'across the river". You will still find cobblestone streets and small piazzas with children playing and you will start to recognise your neighbors right away. I love it here!!

Trastevere Rating

Community * * * * * ( they are very friendly in Trastvere)

Food Waste Reduction * * * * *

OFF TO ROME, THE ETERNAL CITY

Italian gentlemen are a rare breed and hopefully will be around for a long time. Emanuel, my first friend in Italy INSISTED I take his seat on the bus and tried his best to communicate with me. He showed me where to get off in Trastevere and took me to a shop to buy a tram ticket and then sold a group of young men , in Italian, to make sure they told me where to get off. Emanuel reminded me of my grandfather, Joseph Cerreta and even smelled a bit like him if that is possible.....

The food here of course is fabulous and the city is like being inside a living museum or on the page of a history of art book.

Rome's Rating

COMMUNITY * * * * * ( because of EMANUEL!)

FOOD Waste reduction- unrated in this blog, but more to come!

ARTE SIGNS UP FOR THE ONE WORLD EVERYBODY EATS CHALLENGE IN THESSALONIKI,GrEECE!!!

Friday Costas and Litza signed up their cafe for the challenge on World Food Day , October 16. They plan to give away something to eat to their community that day. Litza says that any time some Gypsy children come around she always feeds them. That's just like her!!