ROME 24/3– Day 1: A casa

The 1st day of my Roman Sojourn.  This morning the sun rose at 06:09 and it is set at  18:26.  Still “daylight saving” here.  The Ave Maria bell ought to ring at 18:45.

WELCOME REGISTRANT:

Patrick508

The airport was empty at customs.  I basically walked through with no lines or waiting.   Luggage came quickly.  The taxi non existent, but the traffic coming in was really bad at Caracalla and then Circo Maximo.  Road work and the city ********* diverted all traffic past the Circo to the Aventine because of some event they were preparing   Horrible.    The cab driver, from just about the moment we start, swore a creative blue streak in Romanaccio the entire way.  Yes, I understood every bit.  That’s get the Roman juices going again.

There was strong fog this morning and still a lot of haze even in Rome.  As we came in by the P.za Venezia.   Massive cranes in the center as they work on the Metro.  A serious pain in the thing.

I dragged myself to several shops for supplies and staples and something to fend off starvation.   La Signora™ at the vegetable stand was in good fettle today and we were all happy to see each other.  She’s been there for over 60 years and I’ve been going there for over 30.   The artichokes are here.   I will make some one evening.

Small tomatoes and mozzarella balls.

Lunch.  No bread.

Later, before meeting friends at the Campo at the usual watering hole, I stopped in at the butcher looking for something to eat when I got home.  I didn’t have anything, as it turned out.

They make vitello tonnato year round, God bless them.

A glimpse of the piazza I traversed a couple times.

Campo de’ Fiori.

I stopped at said my prayers before the Madonnella of the area.

Some nibbles with friends in the evening.  At the bottom is honey.
Tomorrow, more shopping for basics.  I contemplate going up to Santo Stefano, because it is the Roman Station.  I have to go to a couple clerical shops for items.  It should be a nice days.

Also, I got flower for the apartment, bright yellow and fragrant freesia.

Meanwhile, white to move and mate in 3.

NB: I’ll hold comments with solutions ’till the next day so there won’t be “spoilers” for others.

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