A Tatas Roman Holiday

The re-enactment of Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday was going on last week. Well not exactly, but I can say that I starred in the recession 2009 version involving babies, diapers, bidets and Italian Nonnas. Claudia, Lulu and I drove the 4 1-2 hour journey to Marina San Niccola last week to stay with her mother and her mothers twin in their twin villas 30 minutes north of Rome on the seaside. Yes, you read correctly. It was an interesting first day meeting these two. Normally when I think of all of the twins that I have come into contact with they are all younger, but as all people do, they get old. And as if they weren’t identical already, their houses are exact mirrors of one another with slightly different décor

The house was nice, every room had its own bathroom (not in-suite but next door) and I got to share with Lulu… of course. It was easy to get into a routine there because they are very orientated to be that way. Well it might have something to do with fact that the other Nonna (Maria Teresa) has a live in cook from the Ukraine named Galia. For 10 years she has been away from her family, learned Italian both the language and cuisine and now does everything for them. She was incredible. The food that she prepared for both lunch and dinner was something that could have been served in a restaurant. Just a few examples: pasta with what seemed like a bruschetta sauce, FRESH bread (white or wheat everyday), whole fish, a variety of meats barbequed, tuna with sautéed veggies (that was a shocker didn’t look like tuna and made me gag just a bit), a rice dish with curried pork, pepperoni’s (Italian version of small bell peppers) sautéed and seasoned to perfection and of course a few types of pastas and several cheeses. Oh yes and wine, but we will get to that later.

Let me fill you in on the family a bit. The sisters spend the month of July near Rome at the seaside and then in August go to Torgiano, near Perugia to their villas in the country to have the whole family for a visit. The other family is very well known in Genova because the last name, Spinola has papal history meaning that they are related to a pope in the days that they were able to marry. They even have historical papers at their villa in Torgiano stating some family history. I was informed that their family owned all of the land from Perugia to Assisi.

When we arrived in Marina San Niccola the other sister had her daughter (40s), granddaughter (9) and their tata there. Amazingly enough the other tata is from Colorado Springs and is 19. We hit it off immediately. Maybe it was a desperation for English. Maybe it was a need to vent about the experiences we were having and if we were crazy to think that sometimes its just too much, or maybe it was the fact that we are two girls living the dream in Italy and wanted to share it with someone who would understand. Regardless we had a great time and she having been there for a week already was able to show me the ropes of what to do and not to do in order to fit in.

The day after we got there the families let us have to day off to travel to Rome and explore the eternal city. Allison and I spent the day walking from St. Peters, where I got to see the tomb of Giovanni Paolo II and St. Peter, to the Spanish Steps where we of course had to take the token Audrey photo on the steps. From there we made our way to the Trevi fountain and threw three coins in with the hopes of returning with a love (I think that is the rule with three coins but oh well). At this point the heat had gotten to us to we grabbed some food and drink – caprese on foccacia bread- and sat under the entrance to the Pantheon and watched as tourists entered and exited the famous church. We explored the area around and then decided that a gelato was necessary so I took us on an adventure to find Blue Ice, a gelateria that I had gone to as a senior in high school – success! And yes it was still wonderful. The rest of the afternoon we climbed to the top of the Victor Emanuale building with the best view of the Coliseum, posed for a few photos and then hoofed it to the base of the Coliseum and Roman Forum. Sadly we were too cheap, too tired and too sweaty to be bothered with the throngs of tourists following plastic flowers listening to guides to pay the 8 euro and 9 euro entry fees so we glanced from the outside in.

The next day everyone left but Lulu, me and the Nonnas awaiting the arrival of Claudias brother, his wife and her parents. I was thrown into a family reunion without a team t-shirt and not knowing who to represent. For the most part all was well but it was quite the experience to be part of, yet so far from a family.

The seaside there was wonderful. Black sand and plenty of people watching to be done. In the evenings I would walk to the centre and grab a gelato hans solo and just sit and listen to the water. Later in the week I was able to go to a market in a nearby town where the clothing was in bins for 3-5 euro. I was in awe and so ready to buy, I mean who pays that kind of money for cute clothes! All in all it was a nice time but I was so glad to get back to Casella, especially after a 3 1-2 hour train ride with Lulu who wanted to wander the aisle. No fun.

The update on Florence to come but my hand is cramping and the little angel is waking from her nap. Until next time.

JIA