I’ve been reading a lot lately. I find it keeps my mind active and encourages me to dream. I have also been watching too much TV as of late and developed an eye twitch. So some nights I take a break from the TV and go for a book instead. One book I have been reading on and off for the past 2 months has been Cheese, Wine and Bread, by Katie Quinn.
This book has a combination of writing, pictures and recipes, which is part of the reason why I chose to read it. I originally rented it from the library, but I liked it so much that I bought it. The writer talks about some of my favourite things, which are part of the reason why I chose to, rent it. I saw the title and said to myself; well I love those things too. This might be a great book for me!
There is a part of her book where she talks about being in Rome. She falls in love with the city and talks very romantically about the food and architecture. It got me thinking about Rome. Recalling the times I have visited the city and saw what she did as well.
I am also one of those people who fell in love with Rome. I fell in love with Italy a long time ago.
It’s it crazy how memories work and how begin to recall your own experiences as you read about others doing similar things.
I see pictures of the streets in her book and try to remember when I walked down those streets. I can recall walking around by myself and enjoying the city for all it had to offer. I loved the busy streets and the many people walking around, going about their days, minding their business.
By the end of my time living in Italy, I was very comfortable dining alone. I had to become comfortable being by myself and sharing moments in silence as others enjoyed their time together. I can recall a small Roman restaurant I went into for lunch one day. I remember looking through the menu and ordered in Italian even though the woman asked me what I wanted to eat in English. I smiled and returned the menu to her, and smugly sat there enjoying my little glass of dry white wine.
This is a memory I cherish. I can even remember what the trattoria looked like inside and what the carbonara smelled like.
Over the years, I have talked to people many times about their love and hate for Rome. I can never relate to them when they say they didn’t really like it or they found it dirty. To those things I say Rome is old, Rome is beautiful and she has been through a lot during her time on earth. I believe people who are from this city also have something endearing to love about them. They have a way of not caring and doing whatever they want. I love that attitude. I wish I had that attitude and I feel like life would be easier if we had some of that attitude as well.
Do what makes you happy and say how you feel.
Some of my favourite things about Rome
The Food-Some of my favourite pastas come from Lazio. Simple dishes like carbonara, Amatriciana, Cacio e Pepe or pasta with chicken livers are some of the key dishes of the city. Real food that comes from people who don’t have a lot of money for expensive ingredients is some of the most flavourful food you will ever have.
The History-Every street you turn and wind through has history attached to it. I feel like Roman people are spoiled because they might have to pass the coliseum on their way to work. You can sit on the Spanish steps and recall historic events that you may have read about in history class and dream about the Roman glory.
Lifestyle-The art of eating and drinking is very European. Most countries do it in their own way and most cities do it in their way as well. In Rome you are free to stop in to different places all over the city to eat and enjoy yourself over a table talking amongst a group or even watch the world go by alone
Coffee-Nothing like strong espresso served in a busy coffee shop to get you going. Strong coffee makes a strong start to a day and Roman coffee is strong
Architecture-There is so much architecture in this city that there are whole university courses based on Roman Architecture. The city is completely full of buildings all over the city from different stages of the world’s growth periods. Don’t forget to look up and look around when walking around and never think that a little street has nothing to offer
Well, all this talk about Rome makes me want pasta and wine. I might just go over to my kitchen and get some going. Maybe I’ll imagine eating it in Rome as I sit at my table finishing it by myself. One day I will return.
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