Escaping to Rome for a couple of days was the best thing I could do. Although it rained most of the time, there were some spurts of sunshine each day. I welcomed these with open arms as frankly London weather has been making me contemplate immigrating to New Caledonia (how’s that for an unusual plan?). In Rome somehow even the rain seems to work. Rather than boring there is something dramatic about Rome’s stormy grey sky. It adds to the city’s breathtaking beauty and allure. Just like a beautiful girl, Rome can get away with a tantrum or two.  In fact I ended up enjoying it even more for it.

When in Rome one needn’t make plans. Strolling around is entertainment in itself. The small alleys, the embellished churches, the antique temples, the ruins, the magnificent fountains and the hypnotizing shop windows make for an abundance of eye candy. Never does it cease to amaze me. Adding to that I am the most disoriented person on the planet hence everything is always new to me anyway.

Of course the price Rome pays for its beauty is being swarmed by tourists. Naturally everyone wants a piece of the above. In January I imagined not a soul would be there. Admittedly that was a slightly ambitious assumption. Of course there were quite a few wandering cameras about but thanks to the rain I managed to visit two of the most typical attractions nevertheless. Previously I have never attempted to visit the Colosseum. You see to me visiting such a sight requires a sight specific dresscode: a hideously practical bumbag, a purple Patagonia fleece and a huge camera dangling around ones neck, in short the typical tourist attire. Oh yes and of course you must be wearing open-toed orthopaedic sandals, preferably paired with white socks. I do not find myself in such an outfit very often (gasp). In my humble observation this look is accompanied by a general lack of interest in the actual attraction. To me this is most definitely one of the world’s curiosities. You would think that spending hours in a queue must at least mean that these poor souls are gagging for it? Not at all! The monument is purely visited for the Kodak moment. The sight is immediately scanned for the most obvious trademarks. Then the wife/sister/cousin/granny is propped against it. A big cheese is followed by a snap. Hurrah! The end of a been-there-done-that-quest is marked. You get the picture. Therefore I try to avoid the clichéd sights as best I can. That day however I thought I might give it a try and what do you know? For a couple more Euros I was able to jump the queue and landed in the middle of the Colosseum within moments. (No, I did not bribe the warden. I simply paid for an audio guide.)

Mission number two was St Peter. My good friend suggested that we go there for Sunday mass. In my books he might have suggested a quick trip to Mars and back. I have visited the cathedral on quite a few occasions, papal masses, private sightseeing tours, the whole shebang. In my memory the undertaking always involved crowds of people and consequently the pulling of various chains (rather than strings) on my mother’s part. Gotta do what you gotta do, right? The idea of attempting such a mission on my own sounded quite adventurous but then again that in itself is reason enough I thought. Miraculously we didn’t even need to make use of my skills in persuasion. Never have I seen the church quite so empty. A few minutes to get through the metal detector and in we were. I was able to fulfil my Sunday obligation and see one of the most beautiful sculptures in the world, the Pietat, all in one blow. I’m loving January in Rome.

A place to kill two birds with one shot by the way is at the Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina. The beautiful little church has a spectacular crucifix painting by Guido Reni above its altar, making it always worth a visit. Just opposite the church you have Ciampini, a classic spot for a yummy break. Breakfast, an afternoon Cappuccino (yes only a German would recommend such a cardinal sin) an Aperitivo, it’s the place to go. It’s ideal for people watching too as it attracts an interesting crowd. The place does delicious Tramezzini and the dolces are to die for – a well deserved treat one might say!

Talking of food there are few better places to eat in this world than here in Rome. Rome is really one ginormous deli. Willy Wonka would have felt quite at home here, scrumptiousness as far as the eye can see. Ice cream parlour after ice cream parlour, bakeries and then of course the cheese, the ham, the bread, milky pouches of Mozzarella di Bufalla – nowhere does it taste quite the same. Then there is also the countless Trattorias, Osterias, Pizzerias, it just never ends. Forget France if you ask me, there is no place like Italy when it comes to food. How on earth do they make a damn zucchini taste so good? I have a particular soft spot for aged Parmigiano Reggiano. It’s best bought in huge chunks of 2 kilos realistically lasting you several months. On my way back from church I came across a window filled with huge triangles of Parmigiano. I had to buy myself such a chunk. My hand luggage was suddenly devastatingly heavy but on the upside I would have survived being stranded on an island had my plane crashed. I rather fear I will get through my slice in no time.

Anyway those Romans really have it nicked. Life is all about a bit of indulgence. After all you only live once, right? Well they don’t say when in Rome for nothing.

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