I Returned From A Week In Rome Yesterday-Ask Me Anything

[Kathy in Cambridge]

A fabulous city...Rainbow flags with 'Pace'(Peace) Everywhere...the Food, My God, The Food!...The architecture...wow

[trotsky]

1. Did you see the catacombs??

n/t

[Kathy in Cambridge]

4. No...I'm claustrophobic

I wanted to, but was advised against it by a friend who said I'd probably freak.

[trotsky]

11. Aw, that's too bad.

I'm also claustrophobic - slightly - but the catacombs didn't present any problems for me. The paths we took went through quite large hallways and our tour guide kept us entertained enough that I didn't think about it much.

Glad to hear you had a good time!

[Kathy in Cambridge]

35. Not enough time to see everything either

next trip I'll try the catacombs...it took me two days to go through the Vatican Museums...

[meegbear]

2. Whacha bring me?

Hmmmm? Hmmmm?

[Kathy in Cambridge]

6. Will a sexy 20-something Italian guy count?

;-)

[meegbear]

8. Beggers can't be chosers .....

:evilgrin:

[SiobhanClancy]

19. Sorry....

I think that one is for me:)
Welcome home
:hi:
(Just kidding..*what* would I do with a 20-something Italian guy?)

[Kathy in Cambridge]

25. Italian men love women-I got hit on by a 19-year old

too funny...

I am still jet-lagged, and actually happy to be home, though the weather was much warmer (60s) in Rome.

[LynneSin]

3. Screw it about the food - I want to hear about the men

And where's that Roman Man you promised to bring me back??

:shrug:

[Kathy in Cambridge]

7. They're gorgeous, but short

I'm 5'4" and many were my size. They dress great too. They're really flirty so I had a good time. As a blonde I got a lot of attention-good for this old lady's ego.

[La_Serpiente]

5. How is the media there?

Is it true the Bersculoni has a stranglehold on the media? Is the political left rising in prominence?

[Kathy in Cambridge]

10. Italian TV sucks, but you do hear more about Iraq and dissent

They regurgitate and dub really bad American TV, but the news does cover demonstrations and anti-war stuff. A lot of Italians don't like Berlusconi.

[GOPisEvil]

9. Were you able to sneak a lovely Italian woman aboard your luggage?

I have *got* to do Mediterranean Europe...Must. Make. Time. Save. Money.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

12. Sorry, Davey, though most are under 5', I couldn't fit one in my bag

full of kitchen items and food. I only bought one purse in Italy, which is a record for me!

[GOPisEvil]

13. I *knew* I should have given you money to ship her directly!

Dangnabbit! x(

One purse? Who'd have thunk it? ;-)

[Kathy in Cambridge]

14. You have got to get to the Mediterranean countries

such history, culture and food! and the people are really friendly.

you would definitely find an Italian woman there ;-)

[GOPisEvil]

16. Well, actually, I *have* been.

I was born in Athens, but we left when I was 2. I haven't been back since.

It's on my list of things to do...sigh...

[joeybee12]

15. I'm extremely jealous--what should I do about it?

Well, you said anything!

[Kathy in Cambridge]

17. There are some really cheap flights in the winter-take a long weekend!

Nov-March Alitalia often has flights under $400 (ours was $300)...depends on your origination city, I think. Boston and NYC are often cheaper to fly out of to Europe.

[joeybee12]

18. You're right--and I've been there in January and the weather is

fantastic then! Sunny, cool in the mornings, but dry.

How was the weather during your trip? I hear November can be a rainy month in Roma.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

32. One torrential downpour on Thanksgiving night-at the Trevi Fountain

My shoes and coat took two days to dry. Otherwise three sunny days and two cloudy days (but no rain). Not too bad, in the mid-50s to mid-60s.

[jonnyblitz]

20. I am still in Amsterdam

oh yeah i am not coming back....what's his name ain't the boss of here!!

[SiobhanClancy]

21. Really?

Not that I'd blame you:)

[Kathy in Cambridge]

22. Lucky you!

Can I come visit?

;-)

[BurtWorm]

23. Is it really better than the North End?

I used to live in a fifth floor walk up on Clark St. off of Hanover. We were hoping to get to Italy this year but our economy has gone sour. Maybe we'll go to Boston instead! ;)

[Kathy in Cambridge]

24. I LOVE the North End

in fact, I can get almost everything in the North End (and Italian-American suburbs like Medford, Somerville, Revere and Saugus) food-wise that I can get in Italy. The Italian food is as good in Boston (and Arthur Avenue in the Bronx) as it is in Rome. The quality of the produce is higher in Rome because of the year-'round growing season.

The exchange rate was hell-going out to eat was at least $30 each, unless we just had take-out pizza. We had a kitchen so we went to the market on Campo di Fiori to pick up food and cook ourselves.

When did you live in Boston? And if you decide to visit, you should PM me and we'll meet for an espresso and cannoli in the North End!

[BurtWorm]

27. I lived there in 1981-2.

Long, long ago. And if we ever do make it up to Boston, I'd love to have an espresso and cannoli widja. We usually by-pass it completely on the way up to Maine, but I'd love to take my daughter for a visit. It's a great city. Great area. I don't think my wife, who's a native NYer, has ever been there either, oddly enough.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

29. Boston has the reputation as an Irish town, but

it's just as Italian. i'd love to show you and your family around town. The restaurants alone are worth the visit (which is what I say about NYC too).

[SiobhanClancy]

30. Thank God for the Italians....

imagine if instead of Italian restaurants in the North End we had Irish restaurants?:)

[BurtWorm]

31. Thanks for the offer!

I hope to take you up on it one of these days. Maybe in the summer of 04.

:toast:

[Kathy in Cambridge]

33. Maybe i'll see you in NYC during the Repub Convention in August '04

I have a feeling there will be a lot of us DUers there!

[BurtWorm]

34. I'll be here!

I hope to meet a lot of you all then.

[DemOverseas]

37. Glad you had a good time......

but the food in the north end of Boston is no where near the food in Italy. If you ate at tourists places in Rome I can see why you may think this. And why do you think the women here are all 5' and under? The younger generation is filled with tall gals. Italian TV is also great. You must come back and visit us in the south of Italy so we can show you stuff and feed you.

[soleft]

26. Dove il gabinetto?

[Kathy in Cambridge]

28. Ou est les toilettes?

je ne parle pas bien italien; maintenant, on dit 'i servizi' pour 'il gabinetto' in Italie.

[no_hypocrisy]

36. Come sta Lei?

Roma e bella cita. Mi piace L'Italia anche.