A Special Weather Posting - Snow in Rome!

We interupt our regularly schedule posting for this Special Weather Posting!

Well, Yes, it does follow Tom & I!
It has snowed here in Rome!
This storm brought 10-13cm (3-5 inches)
Last snow in Rome was in 2005. There was just a dusting of snow.
The last accumulation happened in 1986. At that time there was 20cm of snow that paralysed the city...


This snow (called 'neve' here) did a great job of crippling the city too!
Since this is hopefully a once in a lifetime experience - I needed to grab the camera and go out!
The snow accumulated very quickly and at times the flakes (the snow - not the people) were as large as limes. I decided to hop a bus down to the Colosseo to take pictures. Normally, this trip would take about 15 minutes. This time, in total this trip took me over 2 hours. The roads were a mess and everybody was trying to get somewhere...at the same time they were taking pictures of this amazing event and talking on their phones. Mopeds were crashing in the streets, cars were sliding into other cars and buses were fish-tailing all over the place. Since snow is not common here in Rome - I found it funny that they had workers out spreading sand on the road by hand - when I say by hand - I mean by handfuls, individual handfuls...

Scooter being picked up & moved...

Via Veneto...

We moved one block in 20 minutes. Finally, we got about half-way there, the bus stopped and the doors opened. The driver told us that service was being suspended and we all needed to get off. Luckily, we were near Piazza Barberini and a local Metro stop. I hopped the Metro down to the Colosseo - it was packed. You didn't even need to hold a handrail - the pure amount of people kept you in place.Finally, down at the Colosseo and it was wonderful...
The snow was falling, the people were in shock and the pictures were great!

The Colosseo

Arche of Constantine

I Metro'd back up to our neck of the woods and decided to take a walk through the Villa Borghese - I knew the snow and the trees would look wonderful...and they were...

Let it snow...

Let it snow...

Let it snow!

Overnight we had even more snow...we woke up to a good 6 inches on the terrace...

  

  

Since the snow outside and we had nothing better to do - the logical next step was to...

Make..

...A...

...Snowman!

After having a little fun we decided to go out for a walk and meet some friends for lunch...

The Spanish Steps

Largo Argentina (where Caesar was killed)

After a wonderful lunch and a nice walk home - the sun was setting on our little storm...

Finally, I found some local news photos of some of the places we never got to - I hope you enjoy!

St Peter's from above...

St. Peter's lit at night...

Nuns playing at St. Peter's...

Trevi Fountain at night...



Aftermath...

Lots of stores closed, schools off on Monday, and downed trees being cleaned up!

We now return you to your regularly scheduled blog...

Next on the agenda - Cooking with Diane Seed!

Love to all...abbracci a tutti!

And enjoy your warm weather!

Ron & Tom