Recapturing My Time in Roma

How do I start my last blog post from Rome? How did I get here and where did the past seven weeks go? I would love to know. They have been packed full of travel experiences, churches, schoolwork, and learning about Roman culture. Thank you for completing the journey with me.

If you are just stumbling upon my page, enjoy reading about three important aspects of Rome. Learn about how an American feels in Rome and the U.S. products available here. Learn about one piazza, the Campo de'Fiori. Learn about wine and then other Roman traditions. Watch me embrace my time in Rome and watch my appreciation for the new culture grow.

If you are wondering where I am now, I am working on finishing my undergraduate degree in Communication Arts and Sciences. I am spending time with my family and friends. Most importantly, I am taking my dog Marley on adventures and giving him a life any dog or human alike would be jealous of. If only he could have come to Italy. He may not be well trained like the dogs here, but he would have loved coming into stores and restaurants with me.

Here's to you, Rome. Thank you for the memories. Thank you for allowing me to grow as a person. And most importantly, thank you for letting me feel at home in your piazzas, side streets, and gelaterias. I will not soon forget my time here.

Il Museo del Corso

I have been to the many of the churches Rome has to offer. I have seen the Capitoline Museum and the various exhibits advertised throughout the city. But some of my best hours spent in Rome were in the museum, Il Museo del Corso and the 400 exhibit it currently holds. If you would like more information, please visit this website http://www.museodelcorso.it/en/index.pl.

This exhibit offers the visitor a lot of information, but be prepared to spend over two hours reading the various facts about what life was like in the 1500s in Rome. Learn about how Rome transitioned from the Dark Ages to the Renaissance. Learn about the Pope relocating to Rome. Learn about various artists like Michelangelo. If you are looking for a history lesson on Rome, put a few Euros to good use and visit this museum which can easily be found a few blocks up from the Piazza Venezia.

Reflections on a Walk through the Markets of Rome

As a tourist to Rome, you may focus on the big sites. I am sure you want to visit the Vatican City and see Saint Peter's and the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum, and the Pantheon. But what makes Italy different from other cities? The history is great, but learn about the culture.

By walking through the morning markets in Rome, you will see an Italian housewife buying groceries for the day and the Italian businessman buying fruit on his way to work. You are guaranteed a struggle between your limited Italian skills and the complete lack of English of the vendors. One thing I was the most sorry about of my time in Rome was the little Italian I picked up in the end. Force yourself to learn some by shopping in morning markets.

The market in Testaccio and the market in the Campo de'Fiori offer perfect chances. You can also find some great deals on jewelry and clothes. Take the time out of site seeing from the normal tourist spots and visit these markets which are off the between path. You will not be sorry.

One last time in the Campo de'Fiori

I have been to the Campo de'Fiori a number of times in my seven weeks in Rome. I have suggested visiting the market, looking for historical sights, and stopping in for a few good sandwiches. But if you have some extra time, make sure to get some gelato in the piazza. There is a chain store called Blue Ice on a street a few meters off of the piazza. I did not try the chain while I was here because I wanted to learn more about local culture. If you are looking for a nice treat on one of the sweltering days Rome has to offer, try the bar on the opposite side of Blue Ice.

The store is small but offers most of the flavors you will find in the rest of the small gelato stores in Rome. This one is special because it offers a lively piazza to sit in while you enjoy your treat. If I could make a recommendation, try lemon and strawberry or limone e fragola. The fruity flavors are refreshing on a hot day.

I cannot believe today was my last experience in the Campo de'Fiori. I went to the market in the morning with a few friends and got one more discounted Italia jacket for a special student discount. But I am sure all visitors can talk there way down from the suggested retail price of fifteen Euros to ten Euros. Make sure you take in the small artsy shops. Go in the food stores with specialty meat, cheese and wine. If you are up for it, try out the nightlife at the Drunken Ship or Sloppy Sam's but maybe not more than once. Try a different place for food to avoid the tourist menu. Take everything in while you can with your time in Rome. Don't waste a second. There are things for you to discover in everything piazza and each small winding side street.

America in Rome

As I sit here on my last night and reflect over the past seven weeks, I wonder how I made it through my time in Rome. I was put in a situation with 22 people I did not know, in an apartment with three bathrooms and thirteen girls, and a totally foreign language. How did manage?

As much as I critiqued the American products that I found here in Rome, I think they really helped me out. I do not eat at McDonalds as home, but it was comforting to see the familiar arches. I do drive a Ford, so seeing cars of a similar brand made me think of home. I often wonder how I would have done in a place like Gimmelwald.

Over the past weekend, a few of my friends and I traveled to the small village of Gimmelwald on the side of a mountain in the Swiss Alps. With its stunning population of 150 people, American products were the last things I saw sold in the small store. We joked about running into a McDonalds on our three hour hike through the woods.

Was the joke me yearning for something familiar? How is it going to feel for me to be submersed in American culture and society tomorrow? I have gotten used to pizza cut with scissors, bars that sell coffee, and gelato stores every few meters. As happy as I am to see my family and friends, I am going to miss Rome and the small things that make it function. Will I be more critical of American chains and superstores on my arrival back in the states?

I know one thing is for sure. I will miss walking from our classroom in the Sede under the Doria Pamphilj museum to walk to Remo's pizza shop. I will miss the decision between cheese or tomato. I will miss the owner of the store cutting the pizza he cooked with pride and I will miss his small smile as I tell him thank you. I will miss the pride Italians take in their work that has somehow been lost in American culture.

Football!

During my trip to Zurich this past weekend, I got a firsthand experience with the Euro Cup. Fans flocked Zurich even though the Turkey-Croatia game was located in another city. But chaos still ensued. Riot police were present and fans chanted songs from their countries.

In Italy, it is hard to avoid soccer fever. When Italy won big games, the street outside my window went crazy. Horns honked, people sang and hung out their windows, and Italian flags could be seen everywhere. I always thought American had an obsession to football, our version, but it is nothing compared to the investment fans put into their soccer teams in Europe.

If you are having a hard time imagining the chanting and the scenes of fans, consider a Penn State football game or any other big U.S. college and imagine the noise of the fans before entering the game. To successfully compare this scene to soccer, multiply the image in your head by ten. This man on the left was not the only fan with the emblem of his team buzzed into his hair cut.

Directions to Markets in Rome

To visit the three maps I discussed in my previous blog post, just follow the map above with these directions:
-Begin at the Piramide Metro Station
-Walk down Via Marmorata past Viale M. Gelsomini
-The Mercato di Testaccio will be on your left down Via G. B. Bodoni
-Walk back to Via Marmorata and take a left, heading towards the Tiber River
-Cross the bridge and walk through the Piazza Porta Portese
-Walk up Via di Porta Portese which becomes Via Induno
-Turn right onto Viale Trastevere
-Make your first left onto Via Emilio Morosini
-Take the first right on Via di San Cosimato
-You will run into Piazza San Cosimato where the market is held
-Continue up Via di San Cosimato and through Piazza San Calisto
-Turn right on Via Arco San Calisto
-Make the first left on Via San Calisto
-Walk through Piazza San Apollonia and up Via del Moro
-Walk through Piazza Trilussa and make a left on Lungotevere
-Cross the first bridge Ponte Sisto
-Walk straight down Via del Pettinari which will become Via Arco del Monte
-You will run into Via dei Giubbonari where you can turn left
-You will run into the Campo de'Fiori and the final market

Markets in Rome

Rome has a number of open-air markets sprinkled throughout the city. On the left you will see the market in the Campo de'Fiori. This market offers its shoppers a variety of fresh fruit, meat, poultry, fish, and vegetables. Make sure you check out the stands selling fresh garden salad mixes and the ones selling rice, dried fruit, and candy. At the far end of the market, you will find a beautiful flower stand. A clothes stand also offers very discounted souvenir items.

The Mercato di Testaccio is a covered market. The outside is lined with cheap clothes and shoes, but inside you will find what a number of local shoppers come to buy. Meat and cheese stands line the outside, while fruit and vegetable stand offer shoppers everything they are looking for. Make sure to try the different bread stands for some freshly baked bread.

The market in Piazza San Cosimato is known for its salami and cheese selections. Unlike the market in the Campo de'Fiori, the stands in this open air market are permanent structures. Fruit and vegetable stands can also be found here.

When you are planning to visit these markets, take into consideration that they are only open from 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM Monday through Saturday.

American Cars

When walking around Rome, expect to see nice cars. Even the taxis here are Mercedes-Benz. I can't help but think it must be nice to have access to these cars which are considered foreign in America.

But every now and again, I will come across a Ford or Chevrolet. Even in the land of the Smart Car, I have seen a stretch Escalade Limo. These cars seem out of place to me and I wonder why Italians would want to purchase our American-made cars. Perhaps Americans moved to Italy and brought their cars with them too, but in an environmentally conscious society, these cars seem out of place.

I had a hard time finding statistics about what kind of cars Italians choose to drive or bought the most, but I did find an interesting clip on YouTube. You might be surprised to know that in Venice each year there is an American car club meeting. Check out the cars for yourself at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Zf4wTboEIY.

Another Lunch Recommendation

One thing I find myself missing in Rome is tuna fish. I have been to a number of bars that serve plain tuna on a roll, but I really miss tuna with mayonnaise and lettuce and tomato.

I have blogged about the Forno bakery in Campo de'Fiori in the past and I finally took some time to go there for lunch. I was thrilled when I saw a sandwich stuffed with tuna fish salad! Other choices included salami sandwiches and small pizzas. Everything looked delicious, but I had to satisfy my craving for tuna. It was a good choice and I recommend visiting the Forno if you are also having a similar craving.

I would also recommend trying one or two of their tarts. I selected a small blueberry tart and was quite satisfied. You will be even happier to know that I spent less than four Euros on this filling meal which seems like a steal.

The next time you need lunch on the go, consider visiting the Campo de'Fiori.

Villa Farnesina

Located in the central district of Trastevere, the Villa Farnesina may not look like much from the back. But the lucky traveler is the one who gives the building a chance and heads inside. This villa was built in 1508 by Agostino Chigi.

Visitors to the villa will experience frescoes completed by Baldassarre Peruzzi, Sebastiano del Piombo, and Raphael. When visiting the villa, make sure to see the Triumph of Galatea by Raphael which is a painting of the sea nymph Galatea one of the fifty daughters of the god Nereus. Visitors to the villa will also get to see the Loggia of Cupid and Psyche. The model used in this piece on the left was the mistress of Agostino Chigi.

Visitors to the villa will be enticed by the formal gardens still adorning the front of the mansion. During the Renaissance time period, parties and plays were held here.

I have spent my time here living in Trastevere and visitors to the villa will be pleased with the small bars and trattorias lining the streets. A trip to the Villa Farnesina is a must-see for fresco lovers.

This information can be found in the 2007 Eyewitness Guide to Rome published by Dorling Kindersley. Additional information can be found here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villa_Farnesina.

Villa D'Este

Over this past weekend, I made the trip outside the city of Rome to visit Tivoli. I went with the intentions of seeing Hadrian's Villa, a site I previously blogged about. I was only making a day trip with just enough time to visit this villa. I expected Tivoli to be a very small town with not much to do besides visiting Hadrian's Villa.
After a pleasant train ride through the mountains surrounding Rome, I reached Tivoli. I wanted to explore the sight because of the waterfall I had seen on the way. I found out that there was much more than Hadrian's Villa in Tivoli.

The most visited sight in the town is the Villa D'Este. If you are looking for a serene escape from the city, look no further than Tivoli. You will be enchanted by the river flowing lazily by and the sweet smell of the air.

Once you get to the Villa D'Este, you will learn that this old Benedictine convent has unforgettable gardens and fountains. The convent was converted to a palace in the 16th century and the luxury of this lifestyle can still be found in the gardens today. Bernini lovers will be pleasantly surprised to find his Fontana del Bicchierone. The picture above shows the Terrace of 100 Fountains, one of the many fountains in the villa.

Between the train ride through the countryside and suburbs of Rome and the picturesque views of the valley below Tivoli, this day trip will be well worth your time away from Rome and the small admission fee.

The picture above was taken from the following website, http://www.villadestetivoli.info/gall_01_e.htm. At this site you will also be able to find out more information about the Villa. You could also check out the Eyewitness Guide to Rome published by Dorling Kindersley in 2007.

What to Drink in Rome

Once again, the Eyewitness Guide to Rome has proved to be a very useful tool in understanding the city better. The book contains useful information about what places to visit and also information about where to eat and what to drink in Rome. Next to a long list of information about wine, there are also some other recommended drinks to try.

Many Italians enjoy a nice apéritifs. These drinks are bitter and herb-flavored. Some of the most popular apéritifs are the Martini, Campari, or Aperol. Italians tend to drink these drinks with ice and a soda.

If you are looking for an after dinner drink, order a digestivi or amari. These drinks will help to settle your stomach after a traditional Italian meal.

For more information about how to get your copy of the Eyewitness Guide to Rome which is published by Dorling Kindersley, visit http://www.amazon.com/Rome-EYEWITNESS-TRAVEL-GUIDE-Publishing/dp/075661550X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1213624344&sr=8-1. The information provided above can be found on page 315.

Ostia Antica

If you are looking for a break from the city, consider taking a trip to Ostia Antica. The ruins of this ancient city lie twenty kilometers outside of the city and can easily be reached by taking the metro.

The city once was a thriving sea port along the Tiber River and was populated by over 100,000 people. Today, the ancient city is open to the public and many intricacies of the city can still be seen.

For example, the mosaic shown in the picture to the left can be found in the baths of the city. This mosaic has been reconstructed during the 20th century due to environmental changes causing damage. You can tell which mosaics have been reconstructed by looking at the areas between each tile. If cement is present, the mosaic has been reconstructed. The ancient Romans did not use cement to hold their mosaics together, but rather used a dirt mixture. The reconstruction of this mosaic removed all irregularities found in the initial design and removed the wear of time on the original design. To protect the designs today, water-proof coatings have been applied.

The information in proved in this blog came from the information proved on the signs in Ostia Antica.

Porta Portese

If you are looking for a real Italian experience, check out the Porta Portese open-air flea market. This market is in Trastevere and is open Sundays between 7 AM and 1 PM. Vendors come from all over and line the streets for over a mile. When you are walking up to the market, you will see Italians pull suitcases behind them to carry their purchases. Vendors sell clothes, shoes, and jewelry at low prices. Italians readily dig through the mounds of clothes hastily thrown onto tables to make their selections. Prices for clothes are as low as one Euro. Make sure you are ready to try out your Italian or bring a phrase book because very few vendors speak English. You will also be able to find other treasures such as suitcases, antiques, and household products. If you would like more information about this Italian tradition, visit http://www.frommers.com/destinations/rome/S23959.html.

Lunch in the Campo de'Fiori

When you are walking around Rome and are looking for a nice lunch spot, try the Campo de'Fiori. All along the streets of Rome you will find a number of panini or pizza shops, but if you are in the mood for a different sandwich try Ristocampo.

This little sandwich shop lets you choose the kind of meat and cheese you would like along with a number of vegetables. Suggested sandwiches are on the wall, or you can make up your own. It's a nice break from the pre-made sandwiches you will find elsewhere in the city. Prices range from four to six euros.

My Experience in Boys Town

On Friday, my CAS class and I visited Boys Town outside of Rome. The research that I had down about the Town prior to going could not prepare me for the experience I would have with these boys. As we were lead through the dorms, classrooms, and recreational areas, more boys followed our group around. In the assembly hall, the bond these boys shared electrified the room. Two older boys joked with a younger boy, but all the while they made sure he felt comfortable on stage. By the end of our tour, boys were coming up to talk to us about where they were from and they all accompanied us to our bus stop. The gratefulness the boys had of their opportunities provided by the town was palpable.

To demonstrate the total success of the program, we met a teacher in the school. He taught computer skills to younger boys. We soon found out that he had come to Boys Town when he was six. He had left for a few years once he turned eighteen, but he soon returned to teach fellow boys. By returning to the school, the ex-boy proved the success of the town. He is one example to prove the success of the idea created in 1951 by Monsignor Carroll-Abbing.

Food for Thought

Well, I finally did it. I skipped the pizza and panini today and tried McDonalds. It was nice to taste some US food, but in the end it made me feel just as sick as it does at home. I felt obligated to try it for this blog topic, but I'm going to leave the American fast food in America from now on.

I have done a lot of traveling recently and seen a lot of American goods not only in Italy, but also now in Spain and France. I have done a lot of thinking about how I feel about seeing these products here and I realized that I have been to extremely touristy areas.

I do not know that I have been necessarily fair about judging American restaurants for their presence in these cities. Americans often travel abroad and are comforted, as sad as it may be, by the sight of McDonalds. Before I can truly judge how much of an emphasis is put on American goods, it will be important to visit a city that is not a tourist hot spot. I have plans to stay in a hostel in the Alps in Switzerland next weekend and I will be interested to see what American products are there, so far off the beaten path.

Boys Town in Rome

The Boys Town of Italy began in 1951 and has so far created 31 institutions. One of these places is the Boys Town Rome that the CAS program will be visiting on Friday. The program focuses on taking in international children often from war-torn areas. What makes these places unique is that the children learn to be active members in society by governing themselves. An important motto for Boys Town is "A Chance at Life."

To learn about the image the organization is creating for itself, it is important to know its mission statement. This says, "Boys' Town of Italy, Inc. mission is to fund charitable institutions and programs that are concerned with the development of children and youth in United States and Italy." If you would like to learn more about this organization, check out their website at http://www.boystownofitaly.org/.

America in Barcelona

In my trip to Barcelona this past weekend, I was not surprised to see a number of American products. Eva Longoria once again was advertising ice cream. In Spain, George Clooney even has his own product endorsements.

If you are looking for American fast food, you will quickly find McDonalds, Burger King, Pizza Hut and KFC. I would choose paella any day over these fast food palaces.

And if you are worried about not liking Spanish music, don't let it last for too long because just like in Italy, Madonna is in the top twenty songs and this time, so is Rhianna. You even have the opportunity to go to an Avril Lavigne concert in Barcelona instead of spending time do anything to learn about the culture of Spain.

Spanish Traditions in Barcelona

This past weekend I had an interesting trip to Barcelona. I saw beautiful sites like the Sagrada Familia Church, Guell Park, and the Picasso Museum. I also stayed in the first hostel where I did not feel safe.

But thankfully the Spanish have a tradition of drinking a sweet red wine called sangria. This wine is survived by the glass, quarter liter, half liter, and whole liter. As I sat around watching other diners, I found most ordered a liter for the table.

Sangria is made by putting some sugar, orange juice, and orange and peach slices into however much wine you choose. This is a recipe you should try at home because if the outcome is anything like what I tasted in Spain, you will not be disappointed.

Theatre of Pompey

In the Campo de'Fiori today, the Palazzo Pio can be seen facing the Piazza del Biscione. This palace was built over the ruins of the Theatre of Pompey. If you would like to see these remains, ask at the Pancrazio restaurant.

The theater was built in 55 B.C. and was Rome's first stone-built theater. Before this time, theaters were made of wood and were considered more temporary structures. In order to make this theater permanent, Pompey built a temple to Venus on top.

To the east of this theater was the Porticus of Pompey. On March 15, 44 B.C., it was here that Julius Caesar was murdered. If you want to see this spot, it occurred at the foot of the statue of Pompey where the Palazzo Spada now stands.

If you would like to read more about this, check out the Blue Guide Rome published by Somerset Norton.

San Clemente

An important tourist destination is San Clemente, which can easily be found from the Termini Train Station. To get there, come out of the station and take a sharp left on Via Cavour. On this road, you will pass San Maria Maggiore. Continue walking until you see the Via dei Annibaldi and turn left here. Straight ahead you will see the Colosseum. When the road ends, take a left on Via N. Salvi. Ahead of you, you will see Piazza de Ludus Magnus. Walk past Via Labicana to the next street Via dei San Giovanni in Laterano. San Clemente will be on your left.

In this church, you will be able to see the Paschal candlestick which is an example of Cosmati work. In this church you will be able to walk through the catacombs. Make sure you also see the Apse Mosaic and the 11th century frescoes while you are here.

Finding the Campo de'Fiori

When you reach the Termini Station in Rome, come out and face Piazza Cinquecento. Take a slight left and walk down Viale Einuadi. You will walk up to a circle containing the Piazza Della Repubblica. Take the Via Nazionale which you will find on the left of the circle. Follow the Via Nazionale until it ends and take a slight right down the Via IV Novembre. While you are walking down this road, you will pass the Galleria Colonna on the right. Continue down this road and it will become the Via del Plebiscito. On this road, you will pass the Galleria Doria Pamphilj on your right. Follow Via del Plebiscito until you see the tram. Turn left here on Via Arenula and look for Via del Giubbonari. Take a right here and follow this road until you run into the Campo de'Fiori.

When you get to the Campo de'Fiori, you will see a statue in the middle dedicated to Giordano Bruno, a martyr of science. If you get to the piazza early enough, you will be able to walk through a market containing fresh fruit, meat, and cheeses. This piazza is a very popular spot for nightlife among American students.

Hadrian's Villa

In a small group of students including Toni Conti, Carley Bria, Cole Kitchen, and Courtney Marshall, along with the help of Mike Tumolo, we mapped out the route to get to Hadrian’s Villa.

Go to the Termini train station in Rome. Enter the upper part of the station and locate ticket machines. Search for the train to Tivoli. Once you get to Tivoli Station, locate local bus number 4 which you can take to Hadrian’s Villa. These directions can also be found in the Eyewitness Guide of Rome on page 269.

One of the most striking and best preserved parts of the Villa is the pool and an artificial grotto which were named Canopus Serapeum (the Emperor’s dining table). The Maritime Theater is a circular building within Ionic marble peristyle. This was a private retreat for the Emperor. A circular moat encloses an island where the theater is located. Finally, be sure to visit the Small and Great Thermae (baths) which are well preserved areas for public and private bathing. The small ones were used more privately for the emperors while the larger baths were used for visitors to the Villa. Check out this website for a number of virtual walk throughs of the Villa: http://www.italyguides.it/us/roma/hadrian_s_villa/hadrian_s_villa.htm

Giordano Bruno

The main statue in the Campo de'Fiori is dedicated to the philosopher Giordano Bruno who lived from 1548 to 1600. He initially went to school and became a priest and focused his studies mnemonic techniques. To avoid the Inquisition, he often fled cities and finally abandoned his order and became a Calvinist. As a scientist, he was often made fun of for believing that the earth does go around the sun. He tried to teach at universities throughout Europe, but only acquired positions at a few. He was eventually charged with blasphemy and heresy and sentenced to death. The statue was erected in 1889 and faces the Vatican. For more information or to see where this picture came from visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giordano_Bruno.


After reading further information, I have learned that Bruno's death made him a hero for anti-clerical liberals. Bruno traveled around Europe for fifteen years and was even a spy for the English government. He was eventually betrayed to the Romans by his hosts in Venice. He was sent back to Rome and was burned at the stake seven days later, right where his statue now stands. This information can be found in the Blue Guide Rome published by Somerset Norton.

Rome versus Paris

While I was in France this weekend, I wanted to compare French traditions to those of the Romans. Right away I learned that long meals also take place in Paris. Be prepared to wait an hour and a half for your food in a nicer restaurant. At least while you wait in Paris you get free bread and water! Make sure to take advantage of this while it lasts.

Another commonality between the two cities is how they socialize and use outside spaces. While Paris does not have piazzas like Rome, they do have the lawn in front of the Eiffel Tower. Make sure you put it on your to-do list to visit here after dark. Bring a bottle of wine and some bread with you when you go. You will hear music and continually have to turn street vendors away, just like in a Roman piazza. And every hour on the hour, you will get a free light show as thousands of lights flash on and off up and down the tower. It is an event you should make a priority when in Paris.

American in Paris

To incorporate my trip this past weekend to Paris, I wanted to compare the American products I saw in Paris to those I have seen in Rome. I considered how I thought the French felt about us and guessed that products would be less prevalent. It is funny what I did learn instead.

In Rome, I have not had conversations with Italians to find out their thoughts on Americans, but right away in Paris, I had the opportunity to talk with Frenchmen. The first thing he discussed was how nice and friendly they were to us as Americans. One man, Arthur, asked why I said this. I replied that I had heard Americans were not liked in Paris. Arthur's initial reaction was to say, well you are not rude. He went on to explain that this was the stereotype he had of Americans. He said he felt this way based on the movies he had seen and MTV.

I went right into explaining this blog to him and how I am writing about just that idea. While I had feared the image we were creating for ourselves globally through movies, this conversation confirmed it. It is no wonder people don't like us in other countries if a majority of our movies we send out are shallow and with morals. While we may think they are funny, they are taken as truths on a global level.

The Campo de'Fiori in the Afternoon

When you have some free time in the afternoon, you should take a walk over to the Campo de'Fiori. You will be treated to see a transformation in the Piazza itself. Food vendors from the morning markets begin to break down their stands. Now more tourists are out and the shop vendors know this. Jackets that are ten euros early in the morning are now twelve. But don't worry, if you have luck like my friend and I did, they will have a special discount just for you.

Morning trash piles up while right next to it vendors lay out Prada and Gucci bags that are of course originals. The umbrellas are up in bars that had only served coffee in the mornings. And the scents of the day are out in full force. Walk down the road a little and smell the fresh fish market. There is a good chance you can already start to smell it from the Piazza. On the other hand, walk to the opposite corner of the market and smell the delicious goods Forno's is making today.

No matter what you choose to see in the afternoon, make sure you take the time to sit down and have gelato from one of the many small shops. While this is no Giolitti's, I find I can't refuse a scoop or two myself.

If you have more time, venture down some of the side streets. You will find nice designer clothes right next to discount stores. If you are looking for a relaxing afternoon, this is the place to come.

Music

From my first day in Italy, I have noticed a common trend, Italians listen to a lot of American music. I have heard American songs in stores, commercials, and bars. The funny thing about the bars is that even the Italians get excited when Journey blares over the speakers. They know all the words and are just as happy as the Penn Staters.

To understand this better, I looked at Italy's top music as of right now. Check out the list for yourself, http://top40-charts.com/chart.php?cid=18. While I have not heard of the number one song, Madonna and Justin Timberlake are number two, followed closely by artists like Kanye, OneRepublic, and Sara Barielles. How come Italians prefer our music over their own?

I had not necessarily considered what kind of music I expected to hear here. I only gave it casual thought and considered Frank Sinatra, which in and of itself is amusing because he too was American. As an American, why do I have the right to assume that my music is better? And why are Italians buying it also?

As a comparison, I checked out some of their original top music. If you would like to do so, click on any of these links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbM72JEqfJ8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZBCBDlGE0Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORDWGRlVLJE

Italy's top music is a mix of songs in many languages, a number in English. Could you imagine teens listening to music in Italian in America? Why are Italians picking up our music and we are not doing the same? I try to think about music as being universal, but for an Italian to gain popularity in America, he would have to translate his songs. Why are American artists above this?

Changing an Idea

I chose the topic of wine to focus on n Italian tradition. I have come to find, that I do not think there is enough information to write an enjoyable blog about the sole tradition of wine. While I will continue to inform you of interesting wine experiences I learn about here, I will broaden my focus to include all Italian traditions. From riding Vespas to the ritual of the cafe, I would like to look at the daily happenings in the lives of Italians surrounding me here in Rome.

I would like to start with one of my favorite traditions I have noticed so far. Each day anywhere between two and five in the afternoon, stores and restaurants take siestas. They close down and the shop owners have some time on their own. In the summer this is a good way to avoid the heat. But don't try to go anywhere during this time because shopping becomes limited. A number of gelato shops and bars remain open, but dine in restaurants often take this break. I recently tried to go out to a small restaurant for dinner in Trastevere. They owner was resting at one of his tables and a cook could be seen in the back. But when we asked for a table he said no. He explained that he would be closed another twenty minutes.

Whenever you are out and about, make sure you account for this siesta time! Could you imagine stores in the US closing for a nap break? But once I got accustomed to the routine, I know it is something I will miss back home in the States.

Observations on Wine

When I came to Rome, I expected wine to flow freely. While wine is sold in grocery stores and at restaurants, it is not as inexpensive as I had one thought it would be. Italians generally sell wine by the bottle. While this is good for a couple, this makes drinking wine on your own a more expensive process. Wine does come by the glass, but just like at home, the price is much steeper. On a very strict budget, this makes drinking wine out very difficult.

I have not seen a pattern with wine glasses used by Italians. At home, my mom has her glass for red and a separate kind of glass for white and pretty much everything else in between. I was not sure if this was a world trend, or simply a US one. At one dinner, my group ordered bottles of red wine and bottles of white wine. Each person received the same style glass. Do you think this changes in more expensive restaurants? Maybe I will have to take myself out to dinner and find out.

Some More Nightlife in the Campo

I have spent a few evenings in the Campo de'Fiori now and each time it is always the same. Street vendors, if they deserve that much of a name, always come up to men who are with women and try to sell roses. When our group from the CAS first got here, girls came home with honestly dozens of roses. Where do all of there roses come from? And how many of these roses go to waste? I have heard prices anywhere from a Euro for one to ten Euros for the whole bunch. While it may seem like a romantic gesture to buy your lady friend a rose, don't waste your time or money. Often times when you buy one good, these vendors continue to hassle you by offering lower prices on other goods.

Vendors sell other goods that range from dancing Minnie Mouses (maybe a good topic for a weblog about American products) all the way to light up glasses. While out recently, I saw an American man buy a pair of these glasses for ten Euro. The vendor continued to hassle him to buy other goods and would not leave our group. Once you attract attention, it is hard to lose it. While you may enjoy the little knick-knacks in the beginning of your stay in Rome, you will very quickly find yourself saying, "No, grazie."

History of Wine

It was the Greeks and Etruscans who first brought wine to Italy. They found the land produced excellent results. As the Romans began making their own wine its popularity greatly increased. In the beginning of the Christian era, wine was mixed with honey, spices, or salt water to create a number of different flavors. The Romans produced a wine with much higher alcohol content then we are used to today, so they often diluted it with water. It was the Romans who first stored wine in barrels to help improve its taste. For more information or to see where this information came from, visit http://www.lifeinitaly.com/wines/roman-history.asp.

Throughout my time in Rome, I have come to notice that Romans take their wine very seriously. Wine is often sold by the bottle in restaurants and Italians normally have one glass per meal. In the summer Italians tend to drink different wines. These wines are much lighter and are generally Pinot Grigios, Proseccos, Gavis, and Aneis'. If you would like to know more about these wines before ordering one, check out http://www.lifeinitaly.com/wines/summer-wines.asp.

One of my previous posts was discussed how helpful wine labels can be. If you know what each label is discussing, you will choose the best wine. To further understand these labels review this information http://www.lifeinitaly.com/wines/. Wines are sold based on a number of guidelines. If you are looking for a better wine, try one with a DOCG designation which is stricter than DOC. These designations indicate where the wine comes from, the content of alcohol, and yield of grapes per acre, and a number of other helpful tidbits of information. IGT designated wines are less strict than both DOC and DOCG. However, it is still worthwhile to try tavolo wines, which are not put to the test of these designations because the producers do not want to get involved with the government laws.

Advertising in Roma

Not only are there a number of American products sold in Rome, but there is also a huge amount of advertisement for these goods. I was blown away when I was walking around the Coliseum and saw French students with their Burger King crowns on. While these girls appeared to be middle school age and just looking for some extra attention, they in turn made themselves walking advertisements. In all my journeys around Rome, I have not seen any Italian goods being advertised in this fashion.

If you really keep your eyes open while walking around, you will almost feel like you are at home in the States. Advertisements on buses seem to have an overly American theme to them. The picture below advertises the US film Indiana Jones. One of my nexts steps is to go see an American movie at a local theater. If you would like to do so also, there is a small cinema right over the bridge on the main road in Trastevere. Here they are also advertising for other US movies like Sex and the City. Why are our movies dominating their cinemas, while their films that are sent to the US are dubbed as foreign films and receive one category in awards shows?

The fact that Italians advertise our movies so much scares me a little. These movies contain US actors and are widely known to have come from the States. Since they are American made, it is no wonder Italian men fall over US women for their attention. What movie have you seen recently that does not have a silly, easy American girl getting into some kind of trouble? What movies are we making that are worthwhile or focus on the talent of the actors involved? We are creating movies with hopefully poor depictions of ourselves and then sending them all over the world. With these kinds of messages continually coming from the US, I can only imagine the stereotypes we are creating for ourselves around the world.

I also want to know why this ice cream has to be advertised by Eva Longoria? This ad is for Algida, an ice cream brand under the company Unilever. This is the same comapny that runs Good Humor in the US. Why is it that this company choose a US star to represent its goods in Italy? Unilever is not even a company that started in the US. When companies create a message saying US stars sell more goods, how can anti-American feelings not arise? And how can US citizens come to Rome and not expect people to speak our language? While Eva is pretty, there are a number of pretty Italian women that could have just as easily been used to endorse this solely Italian product.

Vatican City

While not everyone who visits Rome is Catholic, Vatican City and St. Peter's are two places all tourists must take the time to go to. The church is unbelievable due to its massive design and artwork and it would take days to fully appreciate everything inside. But, in my opinion, the best five euros you can spend in Rome is to climb all the way up to the top of the dome in St. Peter's.

While this may sound like an easy feat, it is 550 stairs all the way to the top. During your walk you will travel up tiny spiral staircases without railings and in hallways that curve from the ceiling to the floor at forty-five degree angles. Make sure you are up for the trip before you set out because there is no turning back. But once you get to the top, you will not be sorry.

All of the ceiling artwork in the Cathedral is created by small pieces forming mosaics. I cannot imagine creating such massive scenes piece by piece. It is not until you get to the very top of the dome that you can see the designs broken down into their smaller components. While the picture of the ceiling below is not very clear, you can still make out the scene. It is really something you must see in person to make out its grandeur.

When you get to the top of the dome, you can walk around and view the church from several tens of feet up. Make sure you aren't too scared of heights before you go up! While I was in the dome, mass was going on and it was amazing to hear the acoustics of the old Cathedral.

Once you have finished looking around inside the dome, it is time for some more steps upwards towards the very top. Here, you can walk around outside the top of the dome and get an amazing view of the city. On a clear day, it is possible to see all the way to the mountains surrounding Rome. You can also make out the Capitoline building and many other structures in Rome from this height.
This tour of to the very top of the Cathedral is one everyone should take. And if you get tired, make sure to take a break on in the cafe they have on the roof or buy a souvenir from the gift shop. In all 1100 plus steps were totally worth the view from the top.

It's a learning process

As newcomers to the city, it takes awhile to find the right places to go to for everything from eating throughout the day to relaxing at night. After our first week here, the CAS kids were all ready to have some find and find out where Italians go at night.

The Campo de'Fiori seemed like the place to go. Twenty of us all walked over for a nice dinner out. The meal did not end up being very ideal. I have learned very quickly about where to eat out and what to watch out for. Tourist menus may sound like something you would like, however this means that frozen food has been brought to the restaurants and is then heated up for you to eat. With the number of tourists attending certain spots, it the only way restaurants can keep up. But this food is often over-priced and not very good. Diners beware of popular tourist spots for eating as you will often fall victim to these tourist menus. Stick to smaller restaurants in less popular areas.

The Campo de'Fiori is full of nightlight and after dinner we experienced some of this first hand. The group traveled across the piazza to The Drunken Ship and Sloppy Sam’s. Immediately I knew these places were not where I wanted to be. Creepy old men stared at us while we walked in and Italian women were nowhere to be seen. While I had a good time with the CAS students, these places are not high up on my list to return to. If Italian women do not want to be at these bars then neither do you.

Barilla Anyone?

Well, I got to look like a crazy American today. To see what American products Rome has to offer, I decided to walk around a small grocery store and take some pictures. A majority of the products were Italian made or at least European, but mixed in were American goods. Unlike in the Wegman’s I go to at home, these products did not have their own international section. Instead they were next to similar Italian made products.

Cereal proved to be the most dominated goods made by Americans. Unlike in our grocery stores at home, there were not many sugary cereals; instead corn flakes seemed to be the most popular.

These goods were different than what you would find at home. Sizes were different, names varied, and even some products were made by US companies but aren’t offered in US stores. The only product that seemed to be exactly the same were Ritz crackers. My next step will be to try some of these US goods that aren’t offered in America.

I got extremely excited in the store when I saw Barilla pasta. I patted myself on the back for picking good pasta at home because clearly whatever they sell in Italy is worthwhile pasta.

But then I did a little research on Barilla and found out the reason it is such a good pasta and the reason that it is sold here is because it is an Italian company and did not come to the US until 1996. Before I make any other assumptions about which products are American, I will definitely have to do a little research.

Don't You Wanta Fanta

While American products are everywhere, I wanted to focus on one specific company today and their movement to become a global organization. In 1988, a study was done and found the Coca-Cola Company to be the best known name and trademark in the world. In 1919, the first European bottling plant opened and by 1928, Coke was at the Amsterdam Olympics. I was hoping the company's website would have more information on its globalization, but this was not the case. The history of globalization provided by the company was one success story after another and reinforced the idea of the company's heroes as well as how well their product sales are. To read this for yourself, check out http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/heritage/chronicle_global_business.html or http://heritage.coca-cola.com/.

But how did Coke become popular here? What techniques did the company use to enter a European market and what obstacles did they encounter? Did they have to change their social influence appeals for Europeans? It is interesting to look at the social influences used in this water commercial, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g9ffBjL1MQ. This commercial could easily be shown in the US, even the background song was made in America.

For just a second, I want to look at Pepsi instead of Coke. Check out these commercials at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxEkGbyNM_Q&feature=related and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEc5foJ9plE&feature=related. While Youtube does not say where these commercials were played, they are in English so they were most likely shown in America. It is interesting to see how Pepsi shows Europeans drinking their product to make Americans also want to do it. While the boys in the togas were most likely American, it still depicts a Roman style toga party. I reviewed these commercials also but Pepsi had to break into the same market as Coke and create an international name for themselves.

Over the next few days, I am going to try to find the questions that today’s blog formed for me.

Becoming a Wine Connoisseur

In my first week in Rome, I have kept my eyes open to events related to wine. So far, I have seen a number of wine bars and even a huge wine forum. I am currently looking more into the event to check out if I can go. If you want to know more about it check out the website, http://www.vinoforum.it/ita/default.asp. And if your Italian skills aren't proficient enough to browse through the information, check out a website translator I found at http://www.freetranslation.com/.

I have also started doing some own wine tasting of my own. As a college student, I have had my fair share of Franzia thanks to its cheap price. But here in Rome the story is much different. Wine is sold in the supermarket which makes one stop shopping even more convenient. But more importantly, wine is very inexpensive. For around 3 euros, I could get 1.5 liters of Fanta or 1.5 liters of wine. While, I am sure this is not the best wine Rome has to offer, it is still a definite step up from Franzia.

So far I have tried a red wine and a pink wine. Currently, I do not enjoy dry wines and have stayed away from white. But as this is a learning experience, I will try one when I buy my next bottle.

The wine bottles are very interesting here and contain different information than at home. For instance, the percent alcohol by volume is listed, as well as the best temperature at which to serve the wine, and which foods to serve with each wine. This information will be very helpful to in learning more about each of the wines I try.

Background on Campo de'Fiori

The best place to start with the Campo de'Fiori is to learn about the history of the piazza. According to the Forno Campo de'Fiori, a bakery in the piazza, this piazza saw its fair share of festivities, but also gore. Executions were once performed in the square. Today, the fountain in the middle is dedicated to this and more specifically to Giordano Bruno. For more information about the bakery or to see their amazing pastries, visit their site at http://www.fornocampodefiori.com/storia.php. This will definitely be my next place to visit in the piazza.

If you want to visit the piazza, check out the map for its exact location: http://www.rome.info/map/. Make sure you look for Via dei Giubbonari because this road opens up to the piazza.

Welcome to Roma!

Although I have already posted a few times, I should probably explain what I am doing here. I am a Penn State student in the Communication Arts and Sciences department. I am lucky enough to study in Rome this summer and learn a little more about rhetoric in tourism, books, and films based on Italy. I am also lucky enough to get to discover everything I can about this city!

As for the blog, there is definitely an underlying theme; however I will also be posting about all the great things I am seeing here. We have to pick out three topics based on Rome. One has to be a place, one is a theme, and the third is either a place or a theme. I wrote my first three posts on my main topics. I will be focusing my blogs on the topics of Italian wine, American products in Rome, and the Campo de'Fiori.


I am very excited to get started with this project and learn all I can about these ideas. If you would like to read other blogs by students doing the same thing, visit this website: http://rhetoricofrome.blogspot.com/

I also plan on throwing in some great pictures I take along the way!

Ciao Bella Roma!

As I walked around the city in the past few days looking for a place to learn more about, the options seemed endless. I am in a city that contains 50% of the world’s artwork and other treasures. How am I going to see all of this and still learn about the city? The only way seems to be to find a place I can call my own.

I looked for a place where I could truly learn about the interactions of Italians. While there are 50 million visitors to Italy each year, there are still 4 million who call Rome their home. What makes these people unique? What do they do during the day and how do they relax? I have quickly learned that piazze are the best places to see this.

When I took an early walk yesterday, I found the Campo de'Fiori. I walked through the market and found my first place with a limited number of tourist shops. There were fruit vendors, others selling flowers, and even raw meat was available. There was confusion in Italian over costs. For the first time, few people knew English and I had to make my way through with some broken Italian. It was thrilling.

I decided to make this my place. I want to sit and watch the interactions of the people at various times of the day. I want to get to know the workers in the bars and find the best gelato there. I plan on getting to know the piazza inside and out. Piazze are an important part of Italian culture and I plan on doing my research to find out how this came about.

Vino!

When I think about all the things that make Rome an appealing city, one of the things on the top of the list is the unbelievable wine. While my young palate is still quite inexperienced, I still noticed the huge difference between the box of Franzia I have sitting back in my apartment at school and the 0.87 Euro boxed wine I tasted today.

While you may laugh at my lack of wine knowledge, I would like to take my time in Rome to explore this. What makes certain wines taste differently? And let me try out on of the few appropriate wine vocab terms I know and ask what makes each bouquet unique?

In writing a blog on the subject of wine, I think it is only fair to try as many different kinds as I can in my few shorts weeks here. Unfortunately, I will have to suffer through this, darn. A trip to Tuscany is in order to visit a fine Italian vineyard. Again, as difficult as this may be, I think I'll be able to squeeze it in. After all, how many times in my life will I legitimately be able to say, "When in Rome?"

And maybe I'll really be able to be wine savvy when this is over.

Would you like to supersize that?

One of the first things I noticed about la bella citta di Roma was the American products. As soon as I arrived in the city, I was disappointed to drive on the right side of the road and to only see signs for American products. But upon closer examination, I noticed that while these products are from US companies, they are not the same. Packaging varies, portions are smaller, and even the products themselves are different.

How do US companies determine how to change their products enough to make them international?

I am also very interested in some anti-American feelings shared among Romans. Does this decrease sales of US goods? Are Italians willing to walk around advertising US products? Do other Italians give them a hard time about it? From the prevalence of US goods I have seen in my first week, I feel like this is not the case. But perhaps we'll have an Italian replica of "freedom fries" on our hands?

And what kind of message are we really sending by making a Disney version of SPQR? But don't worry too much, at least you'll be able to find the golden arches anywhere you go. Including next to the Pantheon.