Just moved to Rome

Via Giulia...

2011-08-15T02:10:00.000-07:00

Campo de Fiori by Night

2010-06-18T02:00:00.000-07:00

Roman CaRniVaL 2010

2010-02-08T06:33:00.000-08:00

First I have to excuse myself for not writing for over one week, as that post suppose to be posted last Sunday... well, that is all the fault of Italian Internet service which had cut my connection for a week... Yes, yes... it's 2010 and we are in Europe! Ou...yes... and just to to compare-monthly fee for that amazing service is double than in Germany!

So...coming back to Carnival...

The weather was really amazing last Sunday, so I climbed up to on of the best view points, I took my place on a high fence, as many others, took of my juice and in between watching people "carnivaling" started to read "Antichi mastieri di Roma" Ancient Roman Professions which I got from and an "Old Italian Street Book Salesman" just beside the piazza.

And I have found that:
BARBERESCO - man assigned/allocated to horses which were taking part in the Roman Carnival Horse Race; some were responsible for letting the horses go, some were stopping them at the end of the turn to direct them in the right track. Unfortunately I did not see any horses that Sunday, but there is still couple of days to go :) and in fact-there is something today! check it out

Actually the main race of the Traditional Roman Carnival was the one of the BARBERI - small horses adorned for this occasion. Incited in Piazza del Popolo by the shots and raised by the sharp spikes on their sides they were running to be captured in today's Piazza Venezia. Cardinals had own 'barbero' and were watching the race from the tribunes and stages set up along the way.

No horses and just few "artisti di strada" but it was really nice, kids as well as parents wearing tails had a lot of fun. Now, one week later I just regret I did not participate in other events...

Well, I'd better start to prepare myself to go, couse there are only 2days left now...

BeauTiFuL SunDay in the CenTRe?

2010-02-07T11:07:00.000-08:00

Yesterday in the morning, even it was Sunday, I moved out for a meeting at Casa del Jazz. Yes, this week I was lucky, I came before time and the hall was already full but I cought the last seat (as I came alone :D ) and in the 3dr row!!! It was really pleasant session... I have found a new face of Luoise Armstrong .

"I don't care what the weatherman says... when the weatherman says it's raining"

The way to Casa del Jazz, just beside Parco degli Scipioni and Terme di Caracalla.

And if fact I did not care and it was as beautiful and sunny Roman day as you can ever imagine. After "something for the ears" I wanted to please my eyes as well, so I took a tour to the city center...I can never be bored with this city, it is so amazing, each street is breathtaking, I mean really every street... when the sun is shining it looks like paradise... when you take a tour in the bus around the Colosseum and then you're passing through all those sweet narrow streets, to find Santa Maria Maggiore... It is so amazing. I jump out of the bus and went to visit it to then take a walk in those tiny tiny sunny streets with all those little balconies with blooming plants and laundry. I mean- how can one not fall in love with this city? How???

At lunch time... Yes, what do you do at lunch time when you are in Rome? You go to the fancy restaurant...? Nooou... You take piece of pizza rustica and pick any ancient stone to sit and enjoy your meal! I promise you, no charming Italian waiter will make that impression on you as Area Sacra Agrentina for example... :)

Finally I decided to visit the center of the center to see how the Carnival is doing... I took subway to Piazza del Popolo and... yes-on Sunday and obviously it was crowded but this time it was magic tightness of the Sunday Carnival afternoon...

No, it isn't snow... it is SUN & CONFETTI :D

Fortunately it has nothing to do with the "traditional" Roman Carnival, unfortunately it is not as splendid as the one in Venice, but it has many attractions for kids and that has a special charm I have to admit... and about that in the next post :)

Feste Romane - Tradition of Roman Carnival

2010-02-05T04:00:00.000-08:00

Following Roman history we can say that for Romans, those from last centuries, LE FESTE - celebrations in general, were something really serious. They were quite numerous to happen during the year and in some periods required previous reservation of time...

"Chiuso appena l'apparto teatrale,
stanotte la Madonna entra in ner mese:
e ffra cquinicsi ggiorni pe' le cchiese,
principia la novena de Natale.
E ddoppo, ammalappe'na se lo' intese
le pifere a ffini la pastorale,
riecco le commedie e'r Carnovale:
e accusi sse va avanti a sto paese"

Happy, skittish and coquettish nature of Romans, their playfulness attitude, was hitting foreign travelers, who were simply shocked by their way of having fun. Hmm...

One of the first mentions about their attitude is from around 1550, when a Turkish Muslim, after a long trip, coming back to his motherland, reported, that at the particular time of the year "i cristiani IMPAZZIVANO" - Christians go mad, to then regain their minds thanks to dust scattered on their heads'.

A show that today we will call uncivilized, but in the past centuries was the most popular entertainment of the Carnival was the human race - and at first - race of Jews. It was forbidden for Jews and Christians to have common activities and the race became an opportunity for ridicule and harassment. The harassment was increased by the journalists of the time. Leader became a spokesman for this anti-Semitic intolerance, we will currently say, but which corresponded to the sensitivity of the gross era. This comes to the race that participants, defined by a reporter: BIPOD BEASTS, were taking part with a full stomach to be more tired. A report from February 1583 points out:

"I soliti otto ebrei corsero ignudi il palio loro, favoriti da pioggia et vento degni di questi perfidi, mascherati di fagno al dispetto delle grida"

And that would mean: the usual eight Jews run naked on their prize, aided by rain and wind worthy of those perfidious, mud musk in spite of the cries. There is no wonder, because at the time there was the same authorities, which while setting the temporary regulations- prohibiting Jews from molesting, at the same time subjecting them to numerous humiliations. Forcing them to participate races but also oblige them for the rest of the year to reside in the ghetto and wear a distinctive mark, or forbidding them to celebrate certain holidays or to undertake many economical activities.

In 1668 Clement IX abolished the race but in return asked for a sum of money and the community was forced to pay the tribute, which was used to decorate the gallery of the city, banners etc. For elderly was not given a better fate though, in exchange for the pittance they were forced to run naked.

It is hard to imagine how that could ever be considered as an entertainment, but for Romans human races were very much appreciated. For example from a document from 1633: "For fun and recreation during these hot summer days earlier by particular people was made a race of lame in Trastevere (...) with great pleasure of numerous spectators which came to watch it."

It was Paul II who brought back the Roman Carnival to the ancient splendor, in 15th century. The Pope, who was living at Palazzo San Marco (near present Piazza Venezia), moved to the center of entertainment from Testaccio. For several centuries the area remained the heart of DIVERTIMENTO, and it's period of glory lasted until the end of 18th century. Traditional celebrations continue though even in the 19th century, but have nothing to do with the splendor of the previous period.

Some, regretting the past, were hoping to complete disappearance to the celebrations, only by political considerations. After the fall of Roman Republic, and power in recent year, the papal authority attempt to encourage Romans to wear masks and walk across the streets to give the impression of normality, unfortunately with limited success... In 1837, on the contrary, fearing the riots and political protests, celebrations were banned. In 1876 this epitaph was spread:

"Di Roma il Carneval qui morto giace;
Dorma egli alfine e Roma lasci in pace."

Which means: Carnival of Rome lies here dead; sleeping finally, to live Rome alone, set it free. Tradition is continued, outlast, despite the efforts of the special council created to revive the fortunes of celebrations, leaving only the pale memory of those days when Roman Carnival was the greatest attraction for travelers and commentators.

iL CaRneVaLe in Rome

2010-02-04T14:37:00.000-08:00

After a long long period of neglect in the Eternal City, comes back the REAL CaRniVaL! Starting just tomorrow: 6 - 16 Februar

From my magic book "Feste Romane":

'Intorno al 1550 un turco di religione musulmana, diritorno nel proprio paese dopo un lugo viaggio, riferi che in un particolare periodo dell'anno i cristiani IMPAZZIVANO, per poi riaquistare la ragione grazie ad una polvere che veniva loro casparsa sul capo' / Aroud 1550 a Turkish Muslim, after a long trip, coming back to his motherland, reported, that at the particular time of the year Christians go mad, to then regain their minds thanks to dust scattered on their heads'

Hector Berlioz in turn, in 1843 composed Roman Carnival Overture made up of material and themes form his opera Benvenuto Cellini, including some music from the opera's carnival scene - the overture's title. By the way...one of his bests.

In the middle of 17th century, Pope Benedict XIV gave of an encyclical letter abot the matter. He was very concerned, on Shrove Tuesday celebrations continued until late midnight. After a whole night of revelry, numerous were still wearing usherette at the church ash ceremonies, thinking of severe vita terrena, to spend then a major part of Wednesday sleaping...

Rome unfortunately lost the tradition of the Carnival, but hopefully starting with this year, will renew its long and FAMOUS tradition that could be compared to the one in Venice!

Well, talking about both... Venetian Artist will parade on Via del Corso during the inaugural parade on 6th February along with about 60 horses and vintage carriages!

Those 10 days the main city squares : Piazza Navona, Piazza di Spagna Piazza del Popolo will become the theater of comedy shows. From Thursday, 11 Piazza del popolo will host the "Village of Culture and Tradition"-rediscovery of the carnival rides of the Berbers, to enhance the relationship between a man and a horse. Even until 1870 the carnival was celebrated by the Roman at Piazza del Popolo, which was the starting point of a wild horse race through the streest of the city! So also 13 & 14 February - sempre a Piazza del Popolo - will be a horse show. And in the same place will end this 10day fun- 16 February is scheduled a concert by Angelo Barduardi followed by fireworks.

MUSA cercasi...

2010-02-03T09:15:00.000-08:00

I'll just place some adds I've found lately in the roman newspapers...
and leave it without any comment... because we've got crisis, right?

It's written: "Musa cercasi: Scrittore cerca ragazza bella presenza max 29 anni disposta ad accompagnarlo viaggi lavoro e piacere" = "One searches the muse: a writer is searching for a good looking girl max 29 years old ready to accompany him in his travels work and pleasure."

Another one: "GIOVANE razazzo37enne serio pulito passionale corpo atletico 1.75 69kg offresi per compgna solo x donne 48-65enni T:......."
which means...: YOUNG boy 37 years old (I prommised so I will not comment :P) serious clean passionate athletic body offers himself only for women 48-65 years old. Tel:..."

and another: "ABBIENTE cerca Accompagnatrice 20enne Straniera. Dolce riservata carinissima. Sms T:..." = "WEALTHY is looking for a company of a female in her 20's forigner. Sweet reserved/unapproachable very pretty/cute."

and: "ABITANTE centro generoso simpatico cerca giovane accompagnatrice esclusiva continuativa T:..." = "Center inhabitant generous nice is looking for a female company exclusive on-going Tel:..."

or: "ACCOMPAGNATRICE alta 20enne cerco per prima esperienza riservatezza e generosita' sms T:..." = "FEMALE tall 20 years old I'm looking for the first experiense secretivness and generosity sms Tel:..."

and: "ACCOMPAGNATRICE studentessa 18-20enne carina e alla prima esperienza sono piacente serio colto e molto riservato T:..." = " FEMALE student 18-20 pretty and for the first experience/raw, I am attractive serious cultured and very discreet Tel:.."

"Cerco studentessa alla prossima esperienza per incontri saltuari... "
"Accompagatore con auto propria..."

and so on
and so on
...

Ponte Regina Margherita

2010-02-01T08:35:00.000-08:00

Three walled-up arches (length: 103,1 m / width: 20,9 m)

When you arrive, along the shore, at the point of the Tiber, where the floats are docked in the "Tevere Remo" and "Rare Nantes", a meeting place for many Romans, you will find yourself under the arches of the Bridge dedicated to Queen Margherita of Savoy, first sovereign of Italy, "beautiful face and great heart."

The opening put the full stop to the use of boats and ferries. Toto er Bigio, was reached to garments of walks of Ripetta the Prati di Castello, where you could enjoy the real Roman cousine al fresco or the wineyard. Toto's boat, flat buttom, bow and stern alike, came forward and backword, securedby rope streached betrween the two sides and driven by a pole. Written in 1964: From the begeining of '500 was sought at the ferry to neutrileze the effect of the stream by a rope streachet between the two shores. The boat was covered with a tent to procect the passengers from sun and rain. Later it was replaced by a real wood cab with dual pitched roof. This is the "boat" which recalles beautiful in the sonnet "Er Flood" by comparing the ark of Noah.

By Regina Margherita Bridge suicides were jumping often tired of life, to finish in the swirling river. It is sad that the first suicide was the same foreman who had provided input to the construction of the bridge.

coMPLain

2010-01-31T07:54:00.000-08:00

Yes.
I said I will never again go out on Sunday.
No.
I could not keep the promise.
Yes.
It pissed me off again.
Yes.
Like hell.

No.
I did not plan to go to CENTRO STORICO.
Yes.
I have finished there again.

Yes.
I hated Rome for a while.
Yes.
It is impossible to hate this city.
Yes.
I still love it like crazy.
No.
I will never accept current public transportation state.

Today, on Sunday, 31 January, at 12pm, at Casa del Jazz, out of the center... has started new cycle: Fascinating Rhythm dedicated to the biggest American jazz composers, presented by great persona of Italian Jazz and culture in general - Lino Patruno. Free fee -150 seats. Perfect. As we talk about Sunday and something for free in Rome - I decided to be there quite early...

Yes.
By train...
the one at 11:05 did not arrive AT ALL... next one though... the one suppose to leave at 11:23, has appeard on the station at 11:45...
Yes.
I did not make it.
Yes.
It was full.
Yes.
Planty of others waiting for a chance to get a seat.
Yes.
It was raining again.
No.
Casa del Jazz is not close to the station.
Yes.
I looked like wet chicken and my make-up was streaming down till my feet.
Yes.
My next arriving train was after 1hour.
No.
I did not want to wait that long, especially that I did not even see a glimpse of the show...
Yes.
I took the first bus arriving, direction: "somewhere".
Yes!!!
I end up in the centre of Rome on Sunday AGAIN.
What?
Of course it was crowded!
&wet&cold...

Yes.
I could not be angry for long. Even if it's rainy and crowded and ...
it is still ROME :D
... and I love it.

La Domenica a Roma non si esce...

2010-01-17T11:03:00.000-08:00

I love Rome. I really do. I do! I do! I do!
(want a proof?)
but...
just simply
I will never
ever ever ever
do it again
on Sunday.

That's it. That's my statement.

Rome indeed is beautiful. No doubts. That will hopefully never change
but...
who can destroy all its BEAUTY
...?
hmm...
what abut...?
...
PEOPLE!!!!!!

yeah...

oh, sure! everybody's got the same right to see Fontana di Trevi, right?
Residents...finally having free time on weekend to have a walk in the center of their splendid city... and tourist... who have paid money just to see it...

right?

aha...right...
want some evidence???
I bet you do...

voila!

mentioned Fontana di Trevi... Sunday afternoon-end of December
(yes, yes-those tiny black dots...yes...hundreds!)

...Pantheon + handsome guy + sexy lady + ... what was that? ah, yeah: GARBAGE TRUCK!!! Sunday noon - beginning of December

Via del Corso, Piazza della Minerva, Piazza della Rotonda - Sunday afternoons in January

and don't even ask me about Via dei Condotti... I couldn't take of my hand to make a picture...

So... I really hope to see you here, enjoying home of Romulus & Remus, but just please - plan it during the week, OK?

Ponte Nenni-Metro Bridge

2010-01-13T10:39:00.001-08:00

Ponte Nenni - "ponte della Metropolitana"

Three walled-up arches (length: 121,6 m / width: 25,4 m)

Nenni Bridge named also "Metro Bridge" as it is connecting 2 subway stations: Flaminio and Lepanto. Falls within the civil engineering works involved in the second line of the subway and on the stretch between Piazza dei Cinquecento and via Ottaviano. However, just in 1980, at the opening of the subway, Pietro Sandro Nenni, another italian socialist leader, was considered appropriate to dedicate the bridge.

If u'd like 2rad more...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pietro_Nenni

Ponti di Roma - Matteotti

2010-01-13T09:05:00.001-08:00

Ponte Giacomo Matteotti

Work of the architect Augusto Antonelli inugurated in 1929 to connect two disctricts of Rome: Prati and Flaminio. Pre 1945 called „Ponte delle Milizie“ /„Ponte Littorio“.

Three walled-up arches (length: 138,6 m / width: 20,1 m)

The purpose of the construction of this bridge was to be connect two districts of Rome: Prati and Flaminio. A need that in 1917 the City of Rome was to meet. Unfortunately it was a turbulent period for public finances because of the war still in progress. Construction suffered a delay of three years, then finally in 1920 a competition was launched which had its positive effect: 34 architects feel able to participate by presenting 44 possible solutions. Among all, the choice fell on the architect Augustus Antonelli, marked by the motto "Aurea Simplicitas.

Due to the location of the bridge axis with avenue of the Militia, at first it was decided a logic name, which is precisely that of „Ponte delle Milizie“. But much other barriers did not allow managers to take forward the work of construction, for which the problem of the name attributed to the work took second order.

However, difficulties were reset to zero thanks to the intervention of the state that is at the expense of spending. So in 1924 the site was set in motion in official form, but only in 1926 were begun the work of the foundation. The posting of two years was due to political facts derived by the advent of Fascism, was in fact June 10, 1924 the Socialist deputy Giacomo Matteotti fell violently in the hands of persons unknown, the victim of a punishment for having clearly stated, within the room, decided accuser of Fascism. It was an act of courage of the deputy who decreed its end, but even if briefly, was able to topple the arrogant audacity of the new holders of the fate of the country.

The work was resumed and completed in 1929, so that the official inauguration could take place on 21 April, the same year. At that particular moment in history the bridge was called "Ponte Littorio", in honor of the symbol of the regime.

But that name was destined not to last. With the fall of Fascism The Littorio Bridge, having no further reason to be so called, acquired the new title: Matteotti, in memory of the socialist deputy, who died right near the bridge itself, and found dead two months later, 20 kilometers from Rome.

Ponti di Roma - Bridges of Rome

2010-01-13T07:58:00.000-08:00

Once, when I've been waiting to long for a bus (as usual) and the weather was really splendid as for January afternoon, I decided to take a walk at least for half an hour, before I'll get back home. I was beside Lepanto and at the end of the street I could see a lot of light and the River Tiber. As a extreme light addict I find myself on the sunny bridge within seconds. When I took a look around I've discovered an amazing view to numerous gorgeous bridges which cross the Tiber...

The city of Rome contains a lot of beautiful bridges. Famous ones include the Ponte Cestio, the Ponte Sant'Angelo, the Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II and Ponte Sisto. Currently there are five ancient Roman bridges still remaining in the city. Most of the city's public bridges are built in classical or renaissance style, but also in baroque, neoclassican and modern. According to the Encyclopeedia Brittanica, the finest ancient bridge remaining in Rome is the Ponte Sant'Angelo, which was decorated with 10 statues of the angels, designed by Bernini in 1688.

As I was walking along the Tiber crossing one bridge after another discovering their beauty and history I decided to write about each of them, separately. That suppose to be the first post from HuGe FaScinaTinG mYsTeRiouS inTeReSTinG CoLoRFuL unFoRGeTaBLe PicTuReD series: 'Ponti di Roma'. I'm going to see, touch and pass though every existing bridge in Rome and give you detailed relation about it!

So till 'Ponte Matteotti'!

THaNK U4 inteRnet & SkyPe

2010-01-03T05:06:00.000-08:00

2 aLL ppL haVinG FamiLy& FrienDs aLL arouND tHe GloBe!

tHank U LoRD 4 aLL u'Ve doNe 4 me...

ThaNK U LoRD 4 inTeRneT & SKyPe.

HaPPy aMaZinG iTaLiaN NeW 2010 !

2009-12-31T10:22:00.000-08:00

I wish an amazing upcoming year 2010 to be the most Italian year ever! To all LoVeRs of ITaLy and not only... I wish more & more people will fall in love with that marvelous country, its culture & its people. Happy New Year to... Everyone!!!

MeRRy Christmas EveRyoNe!

2009-12-24T11:30:00.000-08:00

SoMe MoRe PHoToS

2009-12-22T05:49:00.000-08:00

It rains continuously for the second day now and it does not look like it's going to stop soon, so I decided to place some more photos of SUNNY ROME to bring the mood back :)

Kertész contra Fallaci

2009-12-18T14:40:00.000-08:00

During one of my first days in Italy I went to a bookstore to pick up something what I could read during looong trips to the city center and what would help to improve my Italian.

By the way - Italian do not read on the way to or back from work, not in subway, not in buses, not in trains. There is really few of them and mostly - older generation. Unfortunately. There is no comparison to Germans, I have to admit. But I hope that Italians read at home...

Bookstore was full though-of people and books :) I really could not decide. I was cruising around every second finding a book that I wanted to read since long time. But could I manage to read A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini in Italian??? Then I decided that my first book bought in Italy must be from Italian writer. I have to confess that I did not know many of them, so after half an hour trying to discover who is who I have chosen Oriana Fallaci, Letter to a Child Never Born.

As a big fan of Imre Kertész, I have red his 'Kaddish for a Child Not Born' three times, I wanted to see if there is any analogy between two books, as Fallaci's title sounds a bit similar.

As I started to read it I could not get red of the filling that I'm just reading a copy of Kertész's 'Kaddish'. I was simply sure that Fallaci was 'strooongly influenced' by his book...

Both written as a dialogue between professional writer and the unborn child, both autobiographic, both detail their struggle, both mention about failed relationships.

As I started the research I discovered that Fallaci actually wrote her novel in 1975, while Kertész's 'Kaddish" was first published in 1990. Both were born in 1929... Fallaci is writing as a young woman choosing between her career and maternity, Kertész instead is writing as a mature man in conclusion of his career. Each one has a different reason for not having a bairn, but the words they both use 'talking to the unborn child' are really really alike.

I was trying to find some professional comparison of both books but I was left with nothing. It looks like nobody have ever seen analogy between those two monologues except me.

I admire, acclaim and respect Imre Kertész as a writer and as a person. After all he had been though during the war, he had decided to live in Berlin. I would like to remind that Kertesz won the Nobel Prize "for writing that upholds the fragile experience of the individual against the barbaric arbitrariness of history". Nevertheless I still have that feeling that someone was a little bit to much 'influenced' by another...

Sunny DeCeMBeR

2009-12-15T03:20:00.001-08:00

My first full free day in Rome I decided to dedicate completely to... Rome! Without any particular sight seeing plan, most of all without the map and even more important - without the watch. Well, the only thing was, that I wanted to taste the city before the sunset.

I arrived to Stazione San Pietro and from there I took the bus with most 'touristic path' ever: 64! Its route is between Basilica di San Pietro and Stazione Termini . It goes through the center of the center, very slowly... stopping every 50m. You can feel there a bit of daily Roman life and jump out on any stop you want - always being just in the front of a magnificent monument. From there Rome is all yours!

I was going with the direction of the sun rays :) Even December in Rome is sunny, Rome is simply amazing. Those are some of the pictures I took passeggiando e prendendo il sole, proprio in dicembre... The sun is shining all day long, making the city alive... the air is warm and soft... birds are twitting like crazy... if you are Eastern or North European you know what I'm talking about...

For me it's just simply paradise... well, at least that side of the city...

I MeZZi PuBBLiCi ... PuBliC TRanSPoRTaSioN

2009-12-14T05:37:00.001-08:00

I arrived to Rome late evening, so there was no way to go out to see the city... I did it obviously strait away next day in the morning... First I took NOT-american-coffee... and then, when I was (ALMOST) ready to face the day, I started my discovery: 'HOW DOES PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION WORK HERE ?!?!?' As my new flat is not right in the front of Colosseum...

According to the information I've found on some veeery usefuuul website, I should be able to buy a monthly ticket only at main stations of Rome. Thanks God - NOT true. You can buy any kind of ticket, except for an annual one, in any edicola (newsstand) or tabaccaio (tabacconist) as well. And prices are reeeally law as for European capital, so NE VALE LA PENA. Well, to be honest - price goes with quality. And that means:

YES! there is a subway in Rome, yes -only two lines...

YES! there is also train connection inside the city, yes -even 7 lines

NO! do not exepct che il treno arriva in orario (that it will come on time...) oh no...

NO! not ogni treno che passa si ferma in ogni stazione (not every train that stops even at San Pietro will stop on other small stations in Rome) if it says Treno DIRETTO x Viterbo, do NOT enter it unless you really go to Viterbo :)

NO! you can't pass from one side of the city to another with 1 short trip (75minutes!) ticket...unless you are really lucky and your transportation will actually arrive on time, but if you choose to go with the bus - don't even bother... it will take ages.

NO.. nobody said that a trip of one bus must take less then 10 hours one way... OK, I will not exaggerate - 2,5h... So if you are sitting in the bus and you don't know where you are going, do not even think 'OK, I'll get out on last stop...' Jump out of the bus before it will take you to periferia with no way out :P

NO.. while traveling with a train inside Rome do not count on a screen editing the name of next stop, do not believe the speaker either, it likes to repeat the name of one station couple of times, even when you have passed that one half an our ago and you are on the other side of the city...

NO.. do not count on the screen in the bus either... they used to show only the name of last stop. You better sit comfortably beside window and watch carefully names of the streets you're passing :D

Here is the website to the main transportation company in Rome: www.atac.roma.it
Yes, there is English version. No, it does not translate actually all the information you can find in Italian. For those who are planning soon a trip to Rome I place some information which you may find useful:

Tickets
(valid in all area of Comune di Roma for the bus, tram, filobus, subway A and B, bus Cotral; regional trains inside Rome, 2°cl: Roma-Lido, Roma-Viterbo, Roma-Pantano) www.atac.roma.it/index.asp?p=19&i=14

€ 1,00 - valid till 75 minutes from the moment you stamp it (in subway 1 entrance only - you can change between the lines but once you're out you can not pass through the gate with the same ticket!)
€ 4,00 - valid 1 day ( till 24 hours), unlimited number of trips
€ 11,00 - valid 3days - counting from a date you stamp it, so you don't want to do that at 11:50 pm
€ 16,00 - valid 7days - counting from a date you stamp it, same story...
€ 30,00 - monthly personal ticket
€ 46,00 - monthly impersonal ticket

Monthly personal ticket - you have to write your name and birth date on it and stamp it only one time. It is valid one calendar month as printed on the ticket; not 30 days from the date you stamp it! After the 7th day of each month it is really hard to find personal or impersonal monthly ticket, so you always want to buy it at the beginning of the month.

Well, if you are already in Rome let me know, maybe we can meet for a cup of coffee.
And... enjoy the city! It's marvelous!

2009-12-13T12:41:00.001-08:00

I just moved to Rome, 01.12.2009. Yes, finally. After 7 year of dreaming of Italy, its culture, its food and people... of its magnificent atmosphere. Here I am. Finally. After living in Poland, Egypt and Germany. I am finally in the center of ... well it is not Roman Empire nor capital of art anymore... where did I finally end up... what is Rome today? How are its people in the middle of economical crisis? Does coffee still taste so good? I will be trying to figure it all out before spring, waiting for hot Italian afternoons.