Rome

Outside the Walls

We left Rome last week to go to our house in the countryside. It was possible to do so under the conditions imposed by the Italian government since it is our domicile in Italy. When moving, we now need to carry a self-certificate to justify the reason for our move. It is allowed under four…

Friday 13 March: a day in Rome in the time of the coronavirus

8h00: wake-up

Rome in the time of coronavirus

Rome is in shutdown. All the shops are closed except for food markets, supermarkets and pharmacies. Bars…

Nespresso was conceived in Rome

Italy is famous for its art of making coffee, which has been exported worldwide through the espresso…

Living in a city that isn’t yours

My morning work commute in Rome is very pleasant. Starting in piazzale Flaminio, I cycle through the…

On Learning to Drive in Rome

Yes, it’s as hectic as one would think.

Trajan column unravelled

In the second century of our era, Roman emperors had become very sophisticated communicators. They had discovered…

Rome falling to globalisation

Carrefour express is one of my pet hates. This French retail chain embodies everything I dislike about the…

Changing perception of beauty

Would we today pay attention to the Belvedere Apollo if we were not told that it was the most praised statue of the Antiquity, admired by Michelangelo and his contemporaries? Would we have the eye to appreciate it? I have my doubt. Less sensitive to its beauty as our ancestors…