Picnic along the Appian Way and other Rome, Italy Local Custom Tips

Picnic here with this 2000 year old

statue

by icunme

The Appia Antica serves as a popular Sunday lunch picnic site for Roman families - following the half-forgotten pagan tradition of dining in the presence of one's ancestors on holy days. A 1990s initiative closed the Via Appia Antica to cars on Sundays, brings out the picnickers and bicyclists -- along with in-line skaters and a new Sunday-only bus route to take you there.

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Festivals Celebrations & Protests: KING Caught on Carol's Candid Camera

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Updated by icunme

on Feb 19, 2008

King caught on candid camera by

Carol

by icunme , 3 more photos

Yes, Italy's royal scandal starring the House of Savoy with KING VITTORIO EMANUELE III - he was deposed - exiled to Switzerland - begged to return - was granted his wish - returned - was arrested and imprisoned recently for criminal activity (gambling and prostitution) - confined to his quarters; but, here we caught him again - this time getting into his car at the Northern end of the street where we live just below Villa Borghese.
I made a swift get-away myself as he saw me take the third photo - started toward me - and is notorious for his mean temper (among other things)..................

*News flash - Feb 2008 - Ahhh - the saga continues as Italy's now-defunct royal family apologized for suing the Italian state for their 56 years of forced exile, the ANSA news agency reported.

"I'm sorry for the unpleasantness caused," Emanuele Filiberto (a good-looking guy - photo 4) told ANSA in an interview three months after his family, the Savoys, filed papers seeking 260 million euros (385 million dollars) in compensation plus interest. Filiberto's father Vittorio Emanuele, now 71, demanded 170 million euros in November and Filiberto, 35, asked for 90 million euros.

The Italian government rejected the demand out of hand, saying the state owed nothing to the former royal family.

"Italians were right to react the way they did," Filiberto said, adding:
"Italy does not need this extra problem. I don't want to create a problem for Italy."

The male heirs of the Savoy family were sent into exile a year after the end of World War II because king Vittorio Emmanuel III had collaborated with the fascist regime of Benito Mussolini on anti-Jewish laws.
After pleading to return to Italy, the family was permitted through a law reforming the constitution that was adopted in 2002.

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Website: http://www.chivalricorders.org/royalty/gotha/savoyhis.htm

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Signs, Signals & Superstitions: "The Finger" in Italy

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Updated by icunme

on Feb 16, 2008

Rotate back and forth from palm to

front

by icunme , 1 more photos

Well, anyone who lives in the U.S. has either given or been given "the finger" - a local custom particulary well-known among irate U.S. drivers - and, even more common during rush hour's road rage.
So now, Italy has "the finger" also - and a few signs are customary. Among them and probably one of the more common and certainly more civil, is this sign (with two fingers as shown rotate back and forth) used to let you know that "its not working" - "its broken" - if used when in the area of one's head, it means the guy is "not 100% there."
Note for drivers - If you're approaching a toll booth and you see this sign being waved out of a car window, look for the next toll booth with a green light because either this one is broken or the guy ahead of you is not paying and waiting for a person to issue a printed ticket (we're talking about a considerable amount of time if we're dealing with real people here).

We'll be adding a couple more here on "the finger" just for fun...........

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Signs, Signals & Superstitions: Italians Stop Smoking - don't hold your breath!

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Written by icunme

on Feb 11, 2008

by icunme

Cigarette sales in Italy fell by around 50 million packets in 2007 compared to the previous year, a report by independent thinktank Ref said Friday, February 8, 2008.
Sales in Italy have fallen since the government enacted a law banning smoking from all enclosed public spaces in 2005. In that year alone cigarette consumption dropped by more
than 6%.
One of the reasons smokers may be turning away from cigarettes is the rising cost of tobacco. The price of a pack of 20 cigarettes has gone up by 1.20 euros in the last five years - an increase of around 40%.
Generally, people refrain from smoking inside restaurants; however, it is not uncommon to be seated next to people smoking at the outdoor cafes.

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How To: Where is the Bathroom - Toilete - Ladies Room?

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Updated by icunme

on Oct 2, 2006

Oh, there it is - Hotel Bernini

by icunme , 3 more photos

Whatever you call it in English - It is there on my Italian phrases page (ITALY) "Dove sono i babinetti? (doh-vay so-no ee bah-be-nay-tee?) Where is the toilette? (signs are written t-o-i-l-e-t-t-e in Rome).
A few ways to approach this: Look for the bathrom - sign will say "Toilette" in your restaurant, hotel, or museum before you leave. If you are out in the streets of Rome - I strongly suggest you look for the largest hotel - walk straight through the lobby to the bar and ask directions (they will speak English). The bathroom in these hotels are elegant and accessible. If you go into a bar, you're expected to make a token purchase if you use the bathroom - I don't recommend it in the ordinary bar - you are apt to find no toilette paper and no toilet seat (you wouldn't want to sit if there were one available) - always carry extra Kleenex with you for such emergencies. Often men and women use the same facility. Avoid McDonald's - always nasty and no paper. Vatican is immaculate and someone is there cleaning constantly. Always carry a nice little supply of paper napkins with you as even nice restaurants seem to neglect this little necessity and can have no toilet paper.
Again - the large hotels are your best bet - dash off the streets to heed Mother nature's call.
If you're really lucky - you be near Piazza Barbarini and can head downstairs to the lovely facilities in the Hotel Bernini. Photos here to guide you along - please don't tell them Carol sent you!:)

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Festivals Celebrations & Protests: FEAST OF SAINT FRANCIS - October 4, 2006

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Updated by icunme

on Oct 8, 2006

Parishioners carry Statue of St

Francis on lair

by icunme , 4 more photos

It is understandable that this feast day is so special to the people of Trastevere and, in particular, the parish of St Francis di Ripa. Masses were held to overflowing crowds throughout the day and culminated with a procession. Leading the procession, parishioners carried banners honoring St Francis - followed by Franciscan monks, a band playing along the way, local parishioners bearing the Statue of St Francis taking Christ from the Cross, the Pastor carrying the relic of St. Francis, and those who came to walk with him and pay their tribute.
This was home to St Francis in 1229 when he ventured to Rome to seek approval of the Pope for his order. Francis undertook this mission reluctantly and only to protect his community and prevent possible persecution for heresy by many adversaries.
In the 17th century the church was rebuilt and dedicated to Francis, the Ripa ("shore") referring to the shore of the Tevere (Tiber) river.
In the cell where the saint lived in this church is the black stone he had used as a cushion. An orange tree planted by St Francis thrives in the garden of the church.

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Festivals Celebrations & Protests: FESTIVALS IN ROME

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Written by icunme

on Sep 10, 2006

Concert rehersal

by icunme , 2 more photos

If we are not in the midst of a festival, there is one on the way. Check the Rome meetings/events often as I do try to list them as they are approaching. You are welcome to e-mail me at any time if you are here, in transit, or planning your trip. I'll do my best to find out what is happening or direct you to where you can find the information you would like.

The Festival of San Lorenzo was celebrated in various locations throughout Rome on August 10. This legend urges you to pick a star in the sky and make your wish and prayer to Saint Lorenzo - he's very generous on this day especially. As my nephew is yet another Lorenzo (although no saint, to be sure!) we did celebrate. I attended this concert and then joined Lorenzo the unholy and the multitude at a rousing wine tasting celebration on the grounds of Casa Cine in Villa Borghese produced by the vintners of Lazio.

This concert took place in the courtyard of the Church of St Ivers on Via Risorgimento and the photo of this facility speaks for itself. I met and sat with two lovely ladies - one I have been able to keep in touch with from Florence.

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Festivals Celebrations & Protests: Street Procession - Peruvian Festival

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Written by icunme

on Oct 8, 2006

Madonna of the Miracles

by icunme , 4 more photos

Rome is international - Rome is inter-cultural. The scent of incense in the air conveys to you that there is, very likely, a procession forming somplace near. Today our noses guided from Piazza Republica to Via Cavour where we were delighted to see this procession of Peruvian people honoring the Madonna of the Miracles.

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How To: Mr. Big Nose (Signor Nasoni) in Rome

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Updated by icunme

on Jun 11, 2009

OK - that's the way the locals do

it...........

by icunme , 3 more photos

Here are a few photos of the water fountain in the Piazza beside the Pantheon. Signor Nasoni - the Romans call these water faucets that you see throughout the streets of Rome "big nose" ("nasoni") - and nasoni was serving everyone well today - a warm summer day in bella Rome. Children were playing - tourists were filling their water bottles - a woman was washing a spot from her skirt - men were dowsing their faces - and, as intended, those who know how to drink from the top were quenching their thirst. Note the locals way of drinking from the faucet in photo 1 - you don't need to stoop too much to drink - just stop the water flow with a finger and the water will come up through a little hole in top of the faucet.
Photo 1 - Dad knows how to do this
Photo 2 - We can just play in the water, can't we
Photo 3 - One of the nice looking faucets
Photo 4 - Be sure to do it right by closing off the bottom faucet as that is where these guys drink!

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Festivals Celebrations & Protests: Nibble, quibble along the Tevere

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Written by icunme

on Aug 7, 2006

Both sides of the Tiber were active

by icunme , 2 more photos