Day 4: Walking, Cooking, Falling, and More Walking
We spent the morning walking around the Jewish Ghetto and experiencing the outdoor market scene at Campo de' Fiori. For lunch, we were off to a private cooking demonstration where we learned to prepare a real Italian meal.
In the afternoon, John and I climbed the steps up the Victor Emmanuel Monument. The views from above were spectacular! After we came back down, John twisted his knee while crossing a street. Even though he was in pain, he remained such a trooper as we walked around town for the rest of the day.
Favorite Memories
Jewish Ghetto
For over 300 years, the Roman Jews were forced to live in a walled quarter with gates that locked at night.
Today, much of the old ghetto has been torn down, but you can still see remnants of the past.
In Rome, who needs a dryer when you can just hang your clothes out the window! (I would like to try this back home, but I am sure the HOA would come after me.)
We saw many homes where people decorated the outside of their walls with art. Some were bought, but some were "borrowed".
Many homes had beautiful flowers outside the windows.
Pork - It's What's For Dinner
John found paradise in a window full of pork and other meats. (He is a huge fan of all things porky.)
Lunch
We watched a cooking demonstration and enjoyed lunch at Lumie di Sicilia.
Salvatore and his chef showed us how to make a salad, two kinds of pasta, and a pork entree.
Here were the finished dishes. Mangia!
This was the “Pork Roll Stuffed With Something”. Okay, that wasn't exactly the official name, but it was delizioso!
Cannoli are tube-shaped shells of fried pastry dough, filled with a sweet, creamy filling containing ricotta cheese and chopped succade (candied citrus peel). I normally do not like cannoli, but these were really good. I ate three.
Victor Emmanuel Monument
The monument was built for Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of a unified Italy.
Here I am taking a pilgrimage up the enormous flight of steps to the Victor Emmanuel Monument.
John quenching his thirst half way up the stairs.
We made it to the top! But since it is also a long and scary way back down, they should put in a slide.
Dinner
At Perilli in Prati, my bolognese was SPICY but well worth the volcanic heartburn I received afterwards.
Castel Sant'Angelo
Ancient Rome did not allow tombs within its walls, so Emperor Hadrian built this towering tomb for himself. It was also the burial ground for many emperors, a fortress, a prison, and a pope hideout whenever Rome was under seige.
