"Living in Rome" Rome by craic

Rome Travel Guide: 11,941 reviews and 26,475 photos

I crossed the equator for the first time in 2004, and landed in Italy for the first time.
Rome knocked me out. It was love at first sight.
I wrote a very over-excited page. Which I have now discreetly removed into a travelogue.
So I may write a more considered and esoteric page. Having spent more time with the beloved, becoming a little cooler and more measured. Having tried to live with the loved one.
I became a little Roman. Seen it all, done it all, not impressed.
Over-Excited Gush

Anyway, back in 2004, one taste of Rome wasn't enough so I applied for a residency at the Whiting Studio in Rome - and got it. I think you always get what you really want. I had six months, from February to July.

This page is about the Rome I saw during those six months.

I saw a great deal of my roof garden on the 8th floor on Viale di Trastevere (not the pretty part of Trastevere) and I think the morning glories were the piece de resistance.

I saw a great deal of my living room.
With six months I had time to spread myself a bit. I didn't feel as if I had to run out and do Rome!
I read a great deal. (The Whiting Library is in fact a library and to leave the flat you had to walk past over 2000 books. This is not always easy.)
I listened to my neighbours fighting through the wall. I watched a lot of (mostly) very bad television.
I wrote a bit.
I would walk out onto the roof garden and lean out a bit and look at St Peter's Dome.
I walk walk back through the kitchen and look at the glint on the white marble of the Vittorio Emmanuele.
I would go and lie on my bed and listen to the old lift creaking and groaning.
The mechanism housing was right by my front door.
As I can lie in my bed in Wingello and listen to the traffic up Bumballa Road, I could lie on my bed in Trastevere and listen to the traffic in the block of flats.
Who was that person who always left at 4-30am? Secret lover, tram driver on the early shift, owner of incontinent dog?

From time to time Rome would call me and I would descend from the 8th floor and go out into it and have a look around. I didn't always like what I saw. Rome didn't always treat me very well.
But you know, I would go back there and live there in a minute. I'm not finished with Rome yet.

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:Rome - well - I don't think you would be able to get to the end of Rome.
  • Cons:You might spend a lot of time complaining about Rome.
  • In a nutshell:Once you have lived there, you might not want to live anywhere else.
  • Last visit to Rome: Jul 2006
  • Intro Updated Jul 14, 2009
  • Add to Trip Planner (?)
  • Report Abuse

Reviews (43)

Comments (149)

  • Kakapo2's Profile Photo
    Oct 8, 2010 at 2:23 PM

    Just felt inspired to find out how you have seen and described Rome, and - as I had hoped for - it is very different to what can be read on other pages. In particular, I love the Warnings & Dangers and Local Customs. Sissi

  • unaS's Profile Photo
    Apr 4, 2010 at 5:43 AM

    Well you saw a lot more of Rome than I did! "It has no extras at all. No tv, no internet, no kitchen. No common room. No English." Sounds perfect! Thanks I'll keep it in mind.

  • RoscoeGregg's Profile Photo
    Nov 1, 2009 at 2:50 PM

    You Crack Me Up!!

  • icunme's Profile Photo
    Aug 25, 2009 at 1:03 AM

    Hi Jen - lots of great new stuff here - but a long time since I visited. Torna Roma? <(•¿•)>

  • richiecdisc's Profile Photo
    Aug 9, 2009 at 2:16 PM

    I hate when that happens: your team is robbed and only you know about it, not the dancing on the side of the state stuff. That I've done in more drunken days. Much like beer, no need to go for the cheapie ice cream when there's good stuff about.

  • Manara's Profile Photo
    Jul 22, 2009 at 1:53 PM

    I had enjoyed your older pages, but I like these ones even more!

  • JLBG's Profile Photo
    Jul 19, 2009 at 12:59 PM

    An excellent page, very well written, full of humor! Grazie, mi piace molto! And nice new updates about Keats and Forza Italia!

  • deecat's Profile Photo
    May 30, 2009 at 3:27 PM

    You are the Queen of 5* tips and making people feel good. I'm still smiling and will be for a long time. You have Rome "pegged"..Truthful, enlightening, fun-loving, and so talented. Thank you so much.

  • cpiers47's Profile Photo
    May 23, 2009 at 9:04 AM

    I do truly enjoy your Rome writings...beautiful and entertaining stuff!

  • Apr 2, 2009 at 10:40 AM

    Hi Jen! I enjoyed reading your takes on Rome--all of your pages are as delightful. I spent a whole summer in Caramanico Terme, deep in Abruzzo, with my aunt & uncle. I paid periodic trips into Rome & absolutely fell in love with the city too.

Top 1,000 Travel Writer
Member Rank:
0 0 3 8 5
Forum Rank:
0 0 0 5 2

Badges & Stats in Rome

  • 43 Reviews
  • 112 Photos
  • 616 Forum posts
  • 162 Comments
  • 10,127PageViews

Have you been to Rome?

  Share Your Travels  

Latest Activity in Rome

Latest Rome hotel reviews

Hotel Anagnina
39 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 8, 2013
Hotel Diana
302 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 24, 2013
Hotel Texas
30 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 23, 2013
Carpediem Roma Golf Club
37 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jan 21, 2013
Rome Marriott Park Hotel
336 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 24, 2013
Aldrovandi Palace
362 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 22, 2013
Artemide Hotel
2187 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 24, 2013
Hotel San Paolo
2 Reviews & Opinions
BONUS PASTOR Hotel Rome
9 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jan 19, 2013
Trastevere House
30 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 8, 2013
Domina Roma Capannelle Hotel & Conference Rome
235 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 20, 2013
Residenza Monte Mario
99 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 24, 2013
Hotel Panda
225 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 17, 2013
Flaminio Village Bungalow Park
78 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 18, 2013