Recently in Rome Category

I do not consider myself to be a religious person, although I do have this thing for religious icons. My latest acquisition involves old, disused holy water fonts and vintage Mary statues and miraculous medals. I have no idea why, but it just 'is' at the moment.

Hence, when I was in Rome last year feasting on great food, ancient art and religious icons galore I found that I was suddenly surrounded, as it were by nuns in full habit. It seemed that everywhere I turned there standing before me was a nun. I spotted nuns shopping at Campo dei Fiori, standing outside Zara and chatting on their mobile phones.



The one above taken on the Rome Metro is a current favourite of mine.

Last year I went to Rome seeking hope, happiness and answers

And like the proverbial tourist I threw three coins in the fountain

One coin for each child of mine

and a coin for me...

Three coins in the fountain,

which coins will the fountain bless?

Last year when I was in Rome I went a little crazy taking photos of nuns. It started off quite innocently when I took a photo of a nun in full habit on the Metro. Consequently I ended up with all sorts of photos of nuns on the run.

I have a photo of a nun on a mobile phone and another photo of one texting on her Blackberry. I also have a great photo of a group of young nuns standing outside of Zara.  Hence, the last thing I expected to find at Campo de' Fiori that morning were two Canadian nuns and a bemused Roman butcher.

Alas all good things must come to an end (well so the saying goes), but not until you spend the last three nights of your well earned child-free holiday in the heart of Roma! On arrival Mr Man and I quickly checked into our gorgeous little hotel Condotti Palace on via della Croce and changed into some comfortable walking gear. With no time to waste we walked into a local bar and ordered two espressos as we needed the energy boost. Despite the protests we decided to take our coffee standing like the locals as we were not going to be duped by the smiling Roman barista! We then spent the rest of the afternoon and early evening walking around Roma breathing in all things Roman - Piazza di Spagna, Fontana di Trevi, the Pantheon and Piazza Novona - sigh!

The following morning we decided to head out on foot to Campo dei Fiori as we wanted to check out Spazio Sette on Via dei Barbieri (we also needed to try and walk off some of that Maltese bread). As we approached the piazza we were thrilled to find that the market was still on. I urged Mr Man to whip out the camera and start taking photos (of food of course). We looked a right sight arguing amongst the morning shoppers as he wanted to take photos of fountains, roof gardens and steeples and I wanted him to take photos of roasted porchetta, salumi, mountains of cheese and countless fruit and vegetable stalls. But all that came to a stop as we clapped our eyes upon Forno Campo dei Fiori.





This was going to be my very first taste of pizza Romana and I wanted to savour it. So I sat myself down on the edge of the fontana for this memorable food experience. There is nothing quite like flat, golden Roman bread that has been baked in a traditional Forno (stone oven). It was light and airy yet crisp at the same time having been brushed with olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt (yes - the salt thing is a repeated theme)! Mr Man opted to have the pizza Romana topped with potatoes and zucchini flowers, whilst I chose to stay in the 'zone' and go with the tomato option. After we had both stuffed our faces we took one look at each other and without saying a word proceeded to walk straight back into Forno Campo dei Fiori and got another €10 worth of Pizza Romana. What can I say, walking makes you hungry!

For those of you in the UK who can't get to Rome just at the moment fear not as Spianata & Co the protégé of Forno Campo dei Fiori have five shops in London. Seriously, no thanks required instead please send me lots of photos of delicious Spianata bread!