September 12, 2023

A Visitor

Posted by Janet under Italy, Travel, Visitors | Tags: , , , , , |
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So I’ve been thinking about what it’s like to first encounter a particular foreign city and be baffled by its customs.

Per esempio

Parco del colle Oppio
Tables in front of tiny bar in Roman park

I am having a lazy restful day in Rome this afternoon – sitting in the shade of a tree-filled park, steps above the coliseum. It’s quiet, lovely, cool. And this little kiosk sells coffee, sodas, ice cream. Drinking my FAVORITE beverage – which I only indulge in when I visit Roma — Lemon Soda. We can get it in America. It’s a not too sweet soda with a tangy kick of lemon.

An American family of four came to one of the tables, ready to just sit and cool off. And then groused when the guy serving the drinks told them they had to buy something to stay at the table.

Judgment alert (I admit it)!!!! But, what the heck were you thinking?! There are plenty of benches in the park. To sit. For free. But for crying out loud – this is essentially an open-air cafe. Didja really think someone (who!!?!) set out nice straw chairs around little cafe tables for your enjoyment?

They bought two small bottles of “sparkling water” for the four of them. And whined the whole time. They left in about five minutes. Complaining.

Dude!! When in Rome …

 

September 25, 2010

Afternoon in the Park

Posted by japaist under Rome, Vacation | Tags: , |
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Parco Oppio

I sit at a small cafe in the middle of a park — in the Colle Oppio.  We are just steps away from the Domus Aurea and a short walk above the Coliseum.  That means this was once part of Nero’s gargantuan Villa. An estate that in its time was even too much for the indulgent ancient Romans (my knowledge of the history of this area is superficial at best).

In this century, I am drinking una limonata, which the Italians also call – oddly enough – Lemon Soda. Not that it sounds anything like lemmin sew-duh, mind you.  It is a Roman indulgence of mine.  I don’t usually drink full-sugar (or “light” for that matter) sodas.  But, this is so good.

What I love about this park:  it is all Romans, just a few turisti like myself.  Otherwise, it’s grandmas with the little ones.  Or, old folks out for a stroll and a sit on the bench.  And, oh my goodness, the children yelling “Fabio” “Giovanni”,  kicking balls,  terrorizing the pigeons, and chattering in their perfect high-pitched “va bene”s.

Having said that,  it is very peaceful, a universal oasis in the midst of honking horns, purring scooters and German tourists screeching for attention.