The Trevi Fountain
I decided that maybe people might want to hear about more about our Roman Holiday. I know I'm not nearly as interesting as Audrey Hepburn (she was in that, right?), but hopefully you'll all enjoy this. However, in order than I don't get overwhelmed I'm going to update about my Rome trip in very short blurbs.
This issue: The Trevi Fountain
I really enjoyed the Trevi Fountain. I thought it was spectacular, and loved all the people milling around it. There appeared to be a mix of gypsies, real Italians, and of course tourists. There were all sorts of interesting characters, and it was interesting to see how vendors have adapted to selling their wares in this particular area. For example, one fella was taking pictures of happy couples in front of the fountain and then printing their photos on the bubble jet printer strapped to his chest. Another group of guys were dressed up as Romans and posing in other photos. There were a bunch of people who had climbed the side of the fountain and were sunning themselves it was so warm out.
Apparently its good luck to throw a coin in the fountain and make a wish. That's pretty standard fountain lore, but the catch here is that after you make a wish you're supposed to turn around so your back is to the fountain and throw another coin in over your shoulder. This is to ensure you will return to Rome. I think there are some people in the area who don't think this fountain wishing is sacred, because we spotted some men with a long magnetic doohickey (a much longer version of the thing Patrick got for Christmas). They weren't hiding the fact that they were scooping out the coins from the fountain. I'm pretty certain they weren't officials as they were drussed in pretty crummy clothing. Interesting to see them at work though, and nobody saying a word in protest.
About a 5 minute walk from the fountain is the most amazing gelato place in the world (I think its an actual fact). They had all sorts of copies of little blurbs written about them in various travel books, magazines, and the like. We all lined up to sample the goods. My first time in I bought two: honey and pistacchio, and Kelsie had merengue and chocolate rum. While we were waiting for everyone to finish I was in gelato heaven, and contemplated going right back in for seconds (being the little piggy that I am). I noticed our friend Shannon (with the world's biggest sweet tooth) had gone back in so I followed suit. This time I got a different two: pear, and grapefruit. I can't even begin to describe the pear. It was so much more delicious than a regular pear. How is that even possible? We'll never know.
So here is the information, in case you decide to come visit us in Florence and drop by Rome:
San Crispino
Via Panetteria,42
http://www.ilgelatodisancrispino.com/
So that's my take on the Trevi Fountain....if I think of more I'll update.
This issue: The Trevi Fountain
I really enjoyed the Trevi Fountain. I thought it was spectacular, and loved all the people milling around it. There appeared to be a mix of gypsies, real Italians, and of course tourists. There were all sorts of interesting characters, and it was interesting to see how vendors have adapted to selling their wares in this particular area. For example, one fella was taking pictures of happy couples in front of the fountain and then printing their photos on the bubble jet printer strapped to his chest. Another group of guys were dressed up as Romans and posing in other photos. There were a bunch of people who had climbed the side of the fountain and were sunning themselves it was so warm out.
Apparently its good luck to throw a coin in the fountain and make a wish. That's pretty standard fountain lore, but the catch here is that after you make a wish you're supposed to turn around so your back is to the fountain and throw another coin in over your shoulder. This is to ensure you will return to Rome. I think there are some people in the area who don't think this fountain wishing is sacred, because we spotted some men with a long magnetic doohickey (a much longer version of the thing Patrick got for Christmas). They weren't hiding the fact that they were scooping out the coins from the fountain. I'm pretty certain they weren't officials as they were drussed in pretty crummy clothing. Interesting to see them at work though, and nobody saying a word in protest.
About a 5 minute walk from the fountain is the most amazing gelato place in the world (I think its an actual fact). They had all sorts of copies of little blurbs written about them in various travel books, magazines, and the like. We all lined up to sample the goods. My first time in I bought two: honey and pistacchio, and Kelsie had merengue and chocolate rum. While we were waiting for everyone to finish I was in gelato heaven, and contemplated going right back in for seconds (being the little piggy that I am). I noticed our friend Shannon (with the world's biggest sweet tooth) had gone back in so I followed suit. This time I got a different two: pear, and grapefruit. I can't even begin to describe the pear. It was so much more delicious than a regular pear. How is that even possible? We'll never know.
So here is the information, in case you decide to come visit us in Florence and drop by Rome:
San Crispino
Via Panetteria,42
http://www.ilgelatodisancrispino.com/
So that's my take on the Trevi Fountain....if I think of more I'll update.