James Gaston

Napoli a Roma

Roma map

Siamo a Roma 18 Nov 2024 Siamo a Roma 18 Nov 2024 Roma --

We are in Roma and that is Paul in the photo, standing in front of our ground-floor apartment. It is the green door to his right.

The photographer's back, my back in other words, is to Palazzo Farnesi, once a palace and now the French embassy. Vive le France!

At the end of the block (to the right in the photo) is Piazza Farnesi which is undergoing some construction work, and a block further is Campo de'Fiori, ditto. We will see a lot of scaffolding and temporary barriers while in Roma, off season being prime time to prepare for high-season.

In the opposite direction from Piazza Farnesi is the river Tiber and, on the other side of the river, the Trastevere neighborhood, where we will soon be headed to eat.

At first glance, as well as second, Roma is not what I remember. Of course that was decades ago, pre-internet, pre-google maps, pre-everything. Vacations were shorter. Trips were rushed. All I remember is a short stay at a grim hotel around the corner from Roma Termini, followed by the train to art-filled Florence then on to a seaside town on the beautiful cinque terre.

Paul standing next to our apt door on Via dei Farnesi, waiting for the keys

Via dei Farnesi looking towards Tiber

Buskers on Ponte Sisto

After unpacking and taking a break we headed over to the Tiber river then across the river to Trastevere. We crossed the river via the Ponte Sisto, a pedestrian-only bridge.

Buskers on Ponte Sisto

After unpacking and taking a break we headed over to the Tiber river then across the river to Trastevere. We crossed the river via the Ponte Sisto, a pedestrian-only bridge.

Buskers on Ponte Sisto

After unpacking and taking a break we headed over to the Tiber river then across the river to Trastevere. We crossed the river via the Ponte Sisto, a pedestrian-only bridge.

The Tiber at night

According to my travel guide, this part of the Tiber River once flooded frequently. In the 1870s, the Romans removed the threat of flooding by walling off the Tiber. They built the tall, anonymous embankments that continue to isolate the river from the city today.

The Tiber at night

Ponte Sisto

Piazza Trilussa

Just across the bridge we encountered a couple of parked Carabinieri plus a crowd of mostly young people singing along with a busker, popular music from artists like REM, Sting and U2.

Piazza Trilussa

Just across the bridge we encountered a couple of parked Carabinieri plus a crowd of mostly young people singing along with a busker, popular music from artists like REM, Sting and U2.

Piazza Trilussa

Just across the bridge we encountered a couple of parked Carabinieri plus a crowd of mostly young people singing along with a busker, popular music from artists like REM, Sting and U2.

Piazza Trilussa

I just like this…

Piazza Trilussa

I just like this…

Piazza Trilussa

I just like this…

Trastavere is bustling at night

Trapizzino

Trapizzino makes hand-held taco-like pizzas. Tasty and popular. Grab one to go, with a beer, or sit at a table.

Trapizzino

Trapizzino makes hand-held taco-like pizzas. Tasty and popular. Grab one to go, with a beer, or sit at a table.

Trapizzino

Trapizzino makes hand-held taco-like pizzas. Tasty and popular. Grab one to go, with a beer, or sit at a table.

Piazza Trilussa

Singing on the steps in Piazza Trilussa

Busker at Piazza Trilussa

A crap photo but it is all I have of the fellow. Nice voice, he did a good job picking songs and leading the crowd.

Busker at Piazza Trilussa

A crap photo but it is all I have of the fellow. Nice voice, he did a good job picking songs and leading the crowd.

Busker at Piazza Trilussa

A crap photo but it is all I have of the fellow. Nice voice, he did a good job picking songs and leading the crowd.

A nightcap

The sweet shops, offering gelato and pastries, stay open late in Italy.

A nightcap

The sweet shops, offering gelato and pastries, stay open late in Italy.

A nightcap

The sweet shops, offering gelato and pastries, stay open late in Italy.

Napoli a Roma

Roma map