Sign in with Facebook"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: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.
Reviews (43)
The English Cemetery
Off The Beaten Path
(13)
The Cimitero Acattolico. Usually called the English Cemetery or the Protestant Cemetery, even though it was for anyone... more travel advice
Cool Bar
Nightlife
(5)
I came here a lot once I had been introduced to it by a local. It has a great ambience, with nice outside tables and... more travel advice
Ponte Rotto
Off The Beaten Path
(13)
This is one of my favourite things in Rome. Perhaps because the name seems funny to me - even though it simply means... more travel advice
If you can afford to buy this frock ...
Warnings and Dangers
(5)
... at Dior in Via Condotti, don't bother to read this tip. While Gillian was visiting she wanted to buy a stack of one... more travel advice
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Shopping (1)
Every Sunday -
Hotels (5)
See All Almost Okay - 2007 -
Local Customs (2)
See All Vespa? No.
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Share Your TravelsLatest Activity in Rome
- Posted in Travel Australia Forum "Re: 3 weeks in Australia"
- Commented on one of goodfish's Rome tips
- Wrote a Review The Keats-Shelley House about Museums in Rome Off The Beaten Path
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- updated a Rome Travel Page "Living in Rome"
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Comments (149)
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
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.
You Crack Me Up!!
Hi Jen - lots of great new stuff here - but a long time since I visited. Torna Roma? <(•¿•)>
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.
I had enjoyed your older pages, but I like these ones even more!
An excellent page, very well written, full of humor! Grazie, mi piace molto! And nice new updates about Keats and Forza Italia!
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.
I do truly enjoy your Rome writings...beautiful and entertaining stuff!
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.