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Rome For The Holidays: MaitaiTom's Eternal City Escapades & Christmas Caper

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Rome For The Holidays: MaitaiTom's Eternal City Escapades & Christmas Caper

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Old Jan 8th, 2010, 10:43 AM
  #101  
 
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I'm glad you enjoyed Cul de Sac. On a recent trip to Rome, we ate there twice - and really enjoyed the food and the wine. The first time we ate inside - which was cramped and the second time we ate outside which was nice. It's a popular place - people lined up waiting to get in for dinner. For dinner we had pasta with broccoli and pecorino, rolled beef with vegetables, oxtail (to die for) along with a Rosso di Montepulciano (fabulous). Also, the mixed salad is excellent. We're headed back to Rome in April - can't wait!

Thanks for your highly entertaining trip report!
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Old Jan 8th, 2010, 02:39 PM
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Tom, thank you for being such an entertaining writer. Rome is not in our itinerary this year but you are making me question that decision.

Next time you have zabaglione, drop a couple of amaretti cookies inside, it is heavenly!
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Old Jan 8th, 2010, 03:27 PM
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My week ends happily: Tom is still reporting. I am laughing out loud, and DH wants to know what in the hell is so funny. I tell him, no problem, I am just making plans for things to do in Roma in the spring.

Tom, you are the best! But bird poo in you wine glass, what's up with that!.

My favorite memory of last trip to Rome was Santa Maria in Trestavere and an American choir singing gospel songs.

Can't wait for more!
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Old Jan 8th, 2010, 03:37 PM
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Cheryl, marigross had bird poo in her wine glass. I just fell in it (the poo, not the wine glass).

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Old Jan 8th, 2010, 04:09 PM
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Tom,

You've <i>so</i> vindicated me. Now I can tell my daughter that even cool people have fallen in Rome.

Hey, at least you landed face up, and you hadn't just been blessed by the Pope!

Glad you broke nothing important and are home safe!

Paula
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Old Jan 8th, 2010, 05:12 PM
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it's cold and snowing here but with my wine and your trip report, so amusing, I'm warmed up
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Old Jan 8th, 2010, 05:14 PM
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>>>meloncello cream liquor.<<<

DD loves this stuff. I usually don't like the sweeter drinks, but I even liked it. Much better than limoncello.
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Old Jan 8th, 2010, 05:18 PM
  #108  
 
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Marigross: Bird poo in your wine glass: what's the matter with your aim! Need more information!
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Old Jan 8th, 2010, 06:23 PM
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Add me to the list of those who are thoroughly enjoying your trip report, Tom. I laughed out loud at "Down goes Frazier!" - although I will admit my first thought was that I didn't remember that happening on the TV show "Frazier" . . .
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Old Jan 8th, 2010, 06:40 PM
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This has been so entertaining. Thank you for posting! I have been getting some great laughs and have added some ideas for our next trip to Rome! I'll be looking forward to more.
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Old Jan 8th, 2010, 07:10 PM
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I love this post.
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Old Jan 8th, 2010, 07:36 PM
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Tom - you are in my dreams now. We're going to Tuscany next June, and I keep having these visions of your trip there. Now I'm dreaming about going to Rome to have Zabaglione at Cul de Sac, and DH keeps saying "when are you coming to bed?" - but I'm afraid I'll just dream on if I don't finish reading each posting. Where did you get the weird sense of humor?

And is there a Saint Tracy on the saints roster? (maybe there's a church in Rome.)

More, please!!
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Old Jan 8th, 2010, 09:52 PM
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Tom, I recently traveled with my aunt who is a sprightly 81 years young. I arrived at our London hotel before she did and was concerned that she wouldn't be able to easily navigate the shower/tub as it looked perilous at best. Anyway, I quickly contacted the desk and asked if there was a room with a more accessible bathroom. Lo and behold, such a room existed. I then emailed ahead to our Paris and Prague hotels and they were able to provide such rooms as well (these were mid-range. small. independent hotels.) I never did let her know I did this as she does not want to be thought of as needing any special treatment due to her age.

Anyway, for my future trips I think I'm going to try and ask for these types of accommodations as well even though I consider myself in fairly good shape. No sense in risking life and limb when there's Zabaione to be enjoyed!)
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Old Jan 8th, 2010, 09:54 PM
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Oops, I thought I used commas, not periods, in my sentence about our hotels!
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Old Jan 9th, 2010, 04:50 AM
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I really enjoyed Villa Farnesina but I'm a Renaissance buff.

I hope that 'Turned into a Tree' refers to Dafne at the Borghese, one of my all-time favorites.

I loved Theresa. I had seen many pictures of her over the years nothing compares to seeing her in 'person'. Most pictures focus on her face, eyes closed and lips parted, but I think that what really takes it over the edge into full sensuality is the foot that she dangles over the cloud with her toes curled.

Aren't those European drugs magic? There must be a conspiracy to hold their distribution in the US. 99.9% of all currently available OTC medications would sink into oblivion.

____________

Cheryl, the incident is described in detail in my trip report (its titled Ciao Bella!). We were sitting innocently sipping wine when suddenly there was a big 'plop' and a warm sensation on my hand. Pigeon bomb perfectly centered inside the glass. It was hilarious since (a) the splatter was minimal, extending only to my hand (yuk!) which was immediately washed and sanitized and (b) the waitress replaced the (half empty) glass at no charge.
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Old Jan 9th, 2010, 12:59 PM
  #116  
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Thanks for all the funny comments. Working diligently to get this all finished in next few days (including the Hollywood ending).

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Old Jan 9th, 2010, 01:41 PM
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Meanwhile, your thread has reminded me that zabaione used to be one of my favorite desserts to make--quick and easy with the right tools. Time to get a new bottle of marsala. . .
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Old Jan 9th, 2010, 01:45 PM
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As I sit in the Florida cold, with my warm, fuzzy slippers on, sipping my tasty red in a safe place out of the way of pigeons and poo, I eagerly await another installment of "As Maitai's World Turns". The suspense is killing me!
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Old Jan 9th, 2010, 04:57 PM
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Oh Tom,

Thanks for the best laugh I've had in a long time! I'm sitting here with my excellent Nebbiolo enjoying this so much. I'm making note of the street name where you slipped...thanks for the walking tip.
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Old Jan 9th, 2010, 05:14 PM
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Tom, thank you again for writing this. My cat is now giving me funny looks for giggling and laughing apparently at random. I'm so glad that I'm not the only person who falls and can't seem to work up proper embarrassment about it so instead must make random comments at the time.
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