Il nostro amico e corrispondente da S. Francisco , Tony Tasca , è a Roma.
Di seguito pubblichiamo il suo diario di una giornata romana.( per la traduzione usare Google o altri siti che forniscono un servizio di traduzione)
Tony Tasca sul terrazzo della redazione di Tre Righe
The Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotele is often quoted to have said that you cannot be in the same river twice. Why? The water continues on its way, so the river is constantly changing.
Italy is no longer my home, although I referred to it as such. I left 61 years ago! My home is now the USA. Returning is always a treat ... a journey back to my younger restless days. It does take me perhaps a week of total immersion to become once again a local ... even the language does not come back easily. I need to transition from thinking in English to thinking in Italian in order to avoid classical translation anomalies.
I have my ritual. Stay 2-3 days in Rome alone. Walk 6-9 miles. Become absorbed in the local life, smells, peculiarities, and sights. It is my way of transitioning from my world to that of my paesani.
Rome, the eternal city, is uniquely qualified for such experience ... no place else will you find the ancient mingling with the medieval, the renaissance blending with modernity, the contemporary revering the classical. It can be a dirty place, noisy, garrulous, but always inviting and seductive.
After checking in at the Ambasciatori Palace Hotel in via Veneto, I had a simple lunch: a big mixed salad and pasta with mushrooms. A 4-hour nap helped remedy the sleep deficit and jet lag. I called my brother Angelo to let him know I was in Rome safe and sound.
The hotel is one of my favorite **** hotels in Rome. It captures the grandeur of the last century and avoids the monotony of modern day architecture. Large rooms, enormous bathrooms, high sealing, marble floors. Spectacular breakfast buffet. Friendly staff who have not forgotten the meaning of service. Price? $ 130 per night including breakfast.
I did not want to eat at the hotel again. So I exited the hotel, located across the street from the American Embassy. Via Veneto is the chic Rodeo Drive of Rome, where people say the dolce vita was born and thrives to this day. Just the words bring the imagery of Federico Fellini and remembrance of the famous actors Marcello Mastroianni and Anita Ekberg, the stunning Swedish actress, who passed away recently.
I saw across street a bistro open. Most places are closed on Sunday. Romans take their sabbath seriously -- time with the family, time to recharge. The joint suggests its mission: cater to the lonely tourist in search of back home food and favorite Italian plates.
Welcome to Frankie's Grill and Pizzeria.
I entered and noticed only two young women eating there. Once seated, I picked up from eavesdropping that they were American. A great looking hostess with high heels and tight pants brought me the menu. She noticed that I spoke Italian and asked me I was from Italy. I told her that I was born in Italy but had emigrated 61 years ago. She complimented me for not having lost contact with the country and fluidity with the language. She then began to pepper me with questions, some a bit too personal. I put aside the vanity to which old men can succumb when a beautiful lady takes an interest in them, and placed my order.
A pizza with anchovies, aptly called Napoli, in honor to its birthplace: Naples! I also ordered a small bottle of mineral frizzy water. I needed to take my medicines.
Soon two young Chinese women entered, followed by a couple that spoke a language I did not recognize. Hungarian, Slavic? My guess!
Waiting for my pizza, I started to gaze around. The TV is playing music videos ... no one is paying attention. The head waiter would greet passerbys and invite them to come in. Not one took his invitation until two young guys asked to see the menu. Satisfied with what they saw, they walked in. They spoke American English. We are now 7. Too early for locals. It is 8:15 PM.
My pizza came (see picture below). Nice, enticing, bubbling! I am really not very hungry. I have to eat to take my pills. I started to munch ... and like the famous Italian proverb suggests ... hunger comes with eating. Your taste buds awaken and you start to eat even though you are full. That is why it is smart to get up and leave the dining table when you are satiated. I downed about 3/4 of the pizza and then asked the waiter to take the plate away lest I would eat the whole thing.
I continued sipping my mineral water. The waiter came over and told me that the chef had made that day fresh tiramisu. Would I want to have some? How can I refuse? Yes, I would. Next thing I know this beautiful dessert is staring at me. See picture below. It was magnificent, better than what I expected! Extra full, I asked for the bill.
It came to € 12.20. I left € 15 and returned to my hotel room.
I hope to get a good night's rest. Tomorrow I will invite some friends to come and dine with me tomorrow night. After breakfast I will take a 3-4 miles walk to Campo de' Fiori, the medieval open air market, ideal for shooting some photos. I might walk back if not tired. The forecast says it will be sunny but brisk.
Italy is no longer my home, although I referred to it as such. I left 61 years ago! My home is now the USA. Returning is always a treat ... a journey back to my younger restless days. It does take me perhaps a week of total immersion to become once again a local ... even the language does not come back easily. I need to transition from thinking in English to thinking in Italian in order to avoid classical translation anomalies.
I have my ritual. Stay 2-3 days in Rome alone. Walk 6-9 miles. Become absorbed in the local life, smells, peculiarities, and sights. It is my way of transitioning from my world to that of my paesani.
Rome, the eternal city, is uniquely qualified for such experience ... no place else will you find the ancient mingling with the medieval, the renaissance blending with modernity, the contemporary revering the classical. It can be a dirty place, noisy, garrulous, but always inviting and seductive.
After checking in at the Ambasciatori Palace Hotel in via Veneto, I had a simple lunch: a big mixed salad and pasta with mushrooms. A 4-hour nap helped remedy the sleep deficit and jet lag. I called my brother Angelo to let him know I was in Rome safe and sound.
The hotel is one of my favorite **** hotels in Rome. It captures the grandeur of the last century and avoids the monotony of modern day architecture. Large rooms, enormous bathrooms, high sealing, marble floors. Spectacular breakfast buffet. Friendly staff who have not forgotten the meaning of service. Price? $ 130 per night including breakfast.
I did not want to eat at the hotel again. So I exited the hotel, located across the street from the American Embassy. Via Veneto is the chic Rodeo Drive of Rome, where people say the dolce vita was born and thrives to this day. Just the words bring the imagery of Federico Fellini and remembrance of the famous actors Marcello Mastroianni and Anita Ekberg, the stunning Swedish actress, who passed away recently.
I saw across street a bistro open. Most places are closed on Sunday. Romans take their sabbath seriously -- time with the family, time to recharge. The joint suggests its mission: cater to the lonely tourist in search of back home food and favorite Italian plates.
Welcome to Frankie's Grill and Pizzeria.
I entered and noticed only two young women eating there. Once seated, I picked up from eavesdropping that they were American. A great looking hostess with high heels and tight pants brought me the menu. She noticed that I spoke Italian and asked me I was from Italy. I told her that I was born in Italy but had emigrated 61 years ago. She complimented me for not having lost contact with the country and fluidity with the language. She then began to pepper me with questions, some a bit too personal. I put aside the vanity to which old men can succumb when a beautiful lady takes an interest in them, and placed my order.
A pizza with anchovies, aptly called Napoli, in honor to its birthplace: Naples! I also ordered a small bottle of mineral frizzy water. I needed to take my medicines.
Soon two young Chinese women entered, followed by a couple that spoke a language I did not recognize. Hungarian, Slavic? My guess!
Waiting for my pizza, I started to gaze around. The TV is playing music videos ... no one is paying attention. The head waiter would greet passerbys and invite them to come in. Not one took his invitation until two young guys asked to see the menu. Satisfied with what they saw, they walked in. They spoke American English. We are now 7. Too early for locals. It is 8:15 PM.
My pizza came (see picture below). Nice, enticing, bubbling! I am really not very hungry. I have to eat to take my pills. I started to munch ... and like the famous Italian proverb suggests ... hunger comes with eating. Your taste buds awaken and you start to eat even though you are full. That is why it is smart to get up and leave the dining table when you are satiated. I downed about 3/4 of the pizza and then asked the waiter to take the plate away lest I would eat the whole thing.
I continued sipping my mineral water. The waiter came over and told me that the chef had made that day fresh tiramisu. Would I want to have some? How can I refuse? Yes, I would. Next thing I know this beautiful dessert is staring at me. See picture below. It was magnificent, better than what I expected! Extra full, I asked for the bill.
It came to € 12.20. I left € 15 and returned to my hotel room.
I hope to get a good night's rest. Tomorrow I will invite some friends to come and dine with me tomorrow night. After breakfast I will take a 3-4 miles walk to Campo de' Fiori, the medieval open air market, ideal for shooting some photos. I might walk back if not tired. The forecast says it will be sunny but brisk.
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