Day One--Roaming in Rome — this encore life

Awaking in Rome to bright sunshine and the promise of 75 degrees. Can it get any better than this? I fell into bed last night, sleeping in the loft of my sister’s apartment--so comfy. This morning Anne and I shared a cup of coffee before she took off to work at FAO. Then after a shower and some planning, I was off to the market and exploring the Testaccio neighborhood.

Ok, the market. Oh my. Guess I’d pictured a farmers’ market type venue, but this was a covered area with multiple stalls--several dozen. Vendors sold flowers, clothing, jewelry, pasta, olive oil, pesto, meats, cheeses, veggies, fruits, coffee, books, purses--a feast for the eyes, ears, nose. I was so excited to see it all that I had to speak to myself in a calm voice--”Okay, Jane...breathe. Slow down. Look carefully. Don’t hyperventilate. Just enjoy” Such fun stuff.

I’d wanted to find Keats’s and Shelley’s graves in the Protestant Cemetery, but time didn’t allow. I met Anne at Rosso across the street from FAO for a great lunch (got the “medium” buffet plate with four choices for 10 Euros).

Then back to apartment to switch into something cooler. The wifi kicked in there and Carole/Kelly called--could we meet for a glassa? Naturally! How often do good friends happen to be in Rome at the same time as you are? So beer and a walk to the Orange Garden--delightful. We’ll meet again tomorrow night for dinner.

Orange Garden in Aventino neighborhood

OK, so the thing is...the adventures didn't end until nearly midnight. Anne arrived home from work around 7:30 and we walked to Trastevere to hear Francy, a friend from FAO, play samba music with a group. Anne and I drank several Italian beers, listened to the fun beat for several hours. Then walking home at 10 pm, found a shoe store still open and we each purchased a pair of shoes--on sale, even. The excitement never ends!

Trastevere neighborhood at night--many cafes, bars, and shoe stores stay open until midnight!