Exploring our little Italian neighborhood

 Today is our day off in Italy.  Many of the tour group are going to see the Vatican or visit churches.  But Steve and I prefer a more low key off day.  We walked hand in hand around the neighborhood visiting different shops.  We greeted everyone with a "Bonjourno!".  The little neighbborhood is filled with mothers with strollers, women doing their shopping, men and women young and old walking their dogs.  It wasn't crowded like tourist areas, I felt at home just walking around enjoying the beautiful day in Italy.  We found a little cafe for lunch and had Cacio e pepe.  It's basically noodles, cheese and pepper.  Bennie said it's a must because it originated here in this part of Italy.  Then at the bakery we had Cannolis.  I noticed in London, France and now Italy that no one wears a T-shirt. I guess I was thinking about it because I mostly brought all T-shirts to wear.  I will admit a lot of people were wearing coats because it was somewhat cool outside but it didn't look like they had on a T-shirt.  I am wondering if it is more an American thing or it was just where we were that they didn't wear T-shirts.  

Other differences I noticed: In London, France and Italy all the elevators begin on the 0 floor.  If you are picking a food item up it is called a takeaway.  In Italy, I saw NO pickup trucks and nearly all the cars were very small.  Liz might be able to fit in it but I don't think I could.  Oh and I meant to tell you that in Paris, you could sit at a cafe forever and they would never bring you the check.  You have to actually catch their attention and ask for it.  Interesting.

Surrounding the hotel there are many, many food places.  Places for breakfast, lunch, dinner and bakeries for dessert.  They are just little neighborhood places.  No chain restaurants.  Tonight we are thinking of going to a sisilian restaurant.  Bennie told us two other favorites that come from this part of Italy: Carbonara and Amatriciano.  So we may find a place that serves that, or we may just have lasagna or spaghetti and compare the taste to the US.  Choices, choices.

When one thinks of Italy, I daresay what comes to mind is pasta.  But the breads and the desserts here!  Oh my!    It's a secret I guess the Italians are keeping all to themselves.  

We have a busy, busy day tomorrow on a guided tour to the Colosseum but opted out of going to the Catacombs.  Then we have a farewell dinner.  Some of the tour group will be headed home the next day and others of us are headed to Spain.  It's going to be an early start tomorrow and a tiring day tomorrow so I figured I'd get some writing in now.  

As you might be able to tell, Steve and I are loving it!! 

Arrivederci 

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