Trajan's Column

What We Saw in Rome

We were in Rome for a week and a half. Church of Jesus [Church]: This church’s most amazing element was its frescoed ceiling. The way that it was executed, it really looks like figures are climbing into and out of it. This is hands down the coolest ceiling fresco I’ve ever seen, and I think it’s…

Cars in Rome

Surprising Things About Rome

There is a lot of trust, even for tourists. For example, at a bodega, I picked up some tomato sauce from a shelf in the shop that was far from the owner and harder to get to. The owner asked me how much it was and trusted me to give the correct amount (and translate it…

Cars in Rome

Why Rome Is Not My City

It is a very good thing that this is our second trip to Italy and not our first, or I might never come back. Now hear me out. I spent six weeks in Paris in 2001, five months in Lyon in 2004, three months in Los Angeles in 2005, two years in Manhattan in 2007, and 17…

Roman House

Where We Stayed in Rome

Neighborhood: Trastevere Also called: N/A Pros: Not in the heart of the tourist area, so the throngs aren’t as bad People are out at all times of night, so it’s fairly safe (though that’s true of much of Rome) Lots of transportation options: various buses and trams Cons: I thought most of the food in the neighborhood was…

Roman Cheese Plate

What We Ate in Rome

Take Sushi Ristorante Giapponese [Trastevere]: We might have gone a little overboard, after having very little lunch on the train to Rome. So, B got gyoza dumplings and seaweed salad and a salmon/avocado roll. I ordered an oshinko (pickled radish) roll, and sea bass, salmon and scallop nigiri. We also split a spicy tuna roll, which was…