These poor folks do not need any more of this weather. Yep, it is Friday and it has been snowing again for about 6 hours (now about 8pm). You go by even the "tourist" cafes in places like Piazza Rotonda and there are very few people in the square, much less eating outside. Go to a side street and they are vacant.

I look out my window at the 3 cafes at my location, no people, heavy snow crushing the canopies, the wait staff trying their hardest to keep the snow off and not allow the tops to collapse. This is exactly what happened last weekend, weather goes to hell and the tourists don't come out. Just what a country in financial trouble needs.

Hopefully it gets better in the next week or so.

dave

I'm afraid my original post came out sounding wrong. I mean it to be my sadness for the local shops, cafes and folks who do not need any more things to go wrong for them.

dave

". . . and the tourists don't come out."

Maybe they're all in the museums today.

Hmmmm, you'd think they have to eat even if it's snowing.

>>Maybe they're all in the museums today.<<

Not in the civic museums. The mayor of Rome ordered them to close today and tomorrow.
http://en.museiincomuneroma.it/servi...ndizioni_meteo

Well, as luck would have it, I am visiting Rome now, for the first time! Got in last night, leaving Sunday morning. Had a guided tour booked tomorrow for Colosseum but the tour company told me today that it will be closed. Also there is a sign at the door of the Pantheon that says it is closed February 10 and 11. I already did the Vatican Museums today because I knew they would be closed tomorrow (I think the reason is that Vatican became independent on February 11, 1929 but I may be wrong). On a brighter note, I am really loving the location of my lodging, Hotel Smeraldo, near Campo de Fiori. And I've had dinner at the same place twice - it's called Pizza Re - AMAZING! Finally a kudo to Angel Tours and their guide Lindy who put on a great tour of Vatican-StPeters and a night tour of Rome tonight in the slush!
Just thought I'd post some current info for anyone else visiting Rome soon...

Unfortunately, the Colosseo/Palatine/Forum have all been closed for most of the last week. If you are nearby, we have our apt. a block over from the Pantheon and will be here until Monday. Glad to show you some sites that may or may not be available.

dave

This is so amazing! Here in Spokane, we had one good storm early in January, but nothing much since then--and this is a town that had 8 feet of snow--most of it on the ground at the same time--in winter of 2009-2010.

All of Europe has had snow storms yet here in DC, there hasn't been more than about an inch at the most! Not complaining but I hope by March, Europe will have warmed back up!

Well, we're due to get snow tonight here in DC, though it probably won't amount to much. I would so love to see Rome covered in snow!

I have friends in Rome right now who are going to the Italy v England rugby mach tomorrow.

it'll be one of the first times that rugby has been played in italy in proper "winter" conditions.

They have a week in all so i hope that they are finding enough to do.