Almost two weeks in Roma...

 

Buongiorno y'all!

 

I know that I have not been updating the blog as faithfully as I would like to and I am sorry about that.   We are in a hotel whose Internet service leaves a lot to be desired (that's why no pictures - I will post them later).  The Grand Hotel Beverly Hills (Yes - that is where we are staying. You can laugh, I did!) is a truly lovely hotel about a 5 minute walk to our new apartment.  Being so close to the new home it has given me a chance to survey our new neighborhood.  I feel like my brother Ray (the marathon runner) because I have walked about 23 miles every two days - though I think he is quicker...

The weather here in Roma has been wonderful.  Daytime it is in the 60s and at night in the 40s - we have been very lucky in that it has been sunny most of the time.  Great weather for roaming and eating. 

 

Tom and I have already found two wonderful restaurants within walking distance and have become regulars.  One is Fiore di Zucca (the Zucchini Flower), the staff is fun and it is always buzzing.  The other is La Balestra (the Crossbow) which is a Mom & Pop place where the older Italian waiter is now telling us what we will be having.  Tom loves the second place because they serve Trippa (Tripe - don't ask he loves it) and Thursday is Gnocchi night (homemade and amazing).  I have to thank all the walking I have been doing or I would probably have put on about 25 pounds.

 

Tom is settling in to his new job.  He has been working long hours trying to learn 'the Italian way' of doing things.  We have both come to the conclusion...if you want something done immediately, don't have it done in Roma.  The Italians have an amazing laid-back nature which is refreshing but also can be very annoying.  His Italian is improving greatly while mine not so much.  He is meeting with a tutor today so hopefully we will both start taking lessons soon.

 

So, lets get to the update on the apartment...  Our stuff finally arrived in Naples (one week late) and we are awaiting customs clearance. Meanwhile, the Italian Gas Company has decided to rip up the street right outside our building to put in a new gas line.  Thinking how 'laid-back' the Italians are you would think this could take forever but they seem to making quick work of it.  Hopefully, they will finish, our stuff will clear customs, and we will be able to move in next week!  Keep your fingers crossed!

 

I don't want to ramble too much, so for right now those are the updates.

I have decided to try and upload two photos for this entry

<< the latest addition to the Garguilo-Leone family,our New Lemon Tree!

 

Shopping fun, a basket of Prosciutto at our local supermarket!  Yum! (above right)
   More pictures and updates of this amazing city when we have better Internet.

 

More updates to follow - until then we hope everybody is happy, healthy, and having a great 2011!

For this entry we would also like to wish Happy Birthdays to my Dad (Wow - 91 this year), my brothers Mike & Gene, my sister-in-law Noreen, and our close friend George!  We love you all and miss you all!

Ciao for now...