Sam and the City

Samuel Adams hits Rome:

Trevi Fountain

St. Peter's Basilica

Ara Pacis - I found it ethereal and airy, not gas-station-like as many critics claim.

From the top of the Spanish Steps

Dinner at Tutti Frutti, Testaccio, with Julie, Paolo, Sophie, Paul and Sam
(we enjoyed cheese with honey and chestnuts, boar prosciutto with funghi, crema di risotto allo zafferano, baccala', artichoke parmigiano, fusilli with wild berries and wild mushrooms, la gricia - like amatriciana without the tomato - and dessert and wine)

Giving Thanks

Well it's the week of Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday! 4 more days until a day off and a fabulous American dinner...

I kicked off this special week with a Saturday-night meal with Carlotta, followed by dancing like maniacs until 5:00am.

before the wine

after the wine

We somehow convinced a lot of Italians that we were sisters, despite her blond hair, blue eyes and olive complexion.

Speaking of family, I received this photo in my inbox today:

...unbelievably those are my real relatives, and I'm not talking 8th cousins 3 times removed. The man and the woman whose shoulder he's holding are my great-great-great grandparents (I can actually see the resemblence between her and my grandma), and the woman all the way to the left with her hands on the table is my great-great grandmother.

And in the spirit of Italian-family-togetherness, my brother arrives on Wednesday and I can't can't can't wait. Safe travels fratello mio!

So, the Marine date was ok - it was good conversation but sans "spark" (for me anyways). The highlights were the delicious bucatini all'amatriciana and my date spilling red wine all over himself.

Today is Veteran's Day in the States so I have the day off from the Embassy. I have an interview in the afternoon for the Angels and Demons Tour Operator in Rome, who is looking for an Office Assistant. Yesterday I interviewed at a hotel, to be a receptionist, and they seemed to really like me. I'll find out soon! The only thing is, it's a full-time position, which means I'd have to leave the Commissary - a place I really enjoy.

It's a significant day for me and my family, so I just wanted to take this opportunity to say I miss everyone very much - please think about each other and look out for each other today!

Quick Re-cap

Sorry I have been posting less. I am working full time meaning I have less fun things to report back!

A quick summing up of my week this far -

1. Sunday - stayed in all day, saddened by some upsetting family news from home but brightened at the thought of my brother Sam coming to visit me soon!

2. Monday - Went to work, came home, ate salad and pasta & fagioli.

3. Tuesday - Morning interview at hotel (reception) re-scheduled for Thursday. Went to work, was asked out by a Marine (accepted) for Wednesday night, stopped by Flav's pipe store looking to hear stories of his visit to the States but instead chatting for 1/2 hour with everyone BUT Flavio. Came home, ate salad and cauliflower for dinner. Visited Tina and Flav for those stories, photos and more of that delicious limoncello.

4. Wednesday - Went to work, participated in 2-hour lecture on biological and chemical terrorism and was then asked out my the teacher, a 45-ish year old man whose name I did not even know. It was an invitation to the Marine Ball which is evidently quite the affair but - che palle!!

Date news later......

I do!

Fall has definitely arrived in Rome, and not in the gradual, slow way typical of Italian life, but rather suddenly. I'm glad for it - I love fall and the comfy clothes, snuggling and long walks that come with it. Since it is supposed to get back into the upper 60s next week, all this week and weekend I have been trying to take advantage, by walking the hour home from work (which is still full-time!), and scoping out what's new for the season at the local market.

Today there was a special market in my neighborhood, the First "BioFiera" called "Quality Organic Days" - all organic products and foods. It was amazing and the perfect fall afternoon activity. You can find everything from "raw milk" (I don't know and don't want to) to organic cosmetics, oils, cheeses, meats, breads, coffee, wines and sweets, mostly from Rome or elsewhere in Lazio.

There was even an impromptu outdoor bio-dome sort of restaurant with an all-organic menu:

Before cutting myself off cause I was spending too much, I bought organic Amaro (a strong after-dinner digestivo made of herbs), some veggies and 3 jars of Nutella-like chocolate spread, one with peperoncino (wisely suggested by the vendor for my cold), one with coffee and one made of dark chocolate, my newest obsession. The chocolates came with a marriage proposal from the crunchie vendor dude Giovanni who visited and loves Maine, and who (like me) needs a Visa - tempting, very tempting!!