Whoooo - hooooo SCARAMANZIA
by icunme
Hoooo, Hoooo - scaramanzia
SCARAMANZIA - a word without an exact English translation, veiled in mystery - the really B I G Whooo, whooooooo - this is serious stuff here so I need all the help I can get.
There are no lines of demarkation - superstition and religious legend are entertwined - religion and revelry co-exist side by side.
SO - PLEASSSSE - SEND ME YOUR SCARAMANZI - I REALLY NEED THIS INFO & I PROMISE TO ADD IT TO THIS LIST FOR ALL VT'RS COMING TO ITALY! Please indicate if your SCARAMANZI is indigenous to a specific region.
Common SCARAMANZI:
1. I threw my baseball cap toward the bed and my Italian friend made a flying leap to grab it in mid-air before it hit the bed!
2. He missed the catch - grabbed his balls, shook them.... (I can no longer tell a scaramanzia remedy from a guy who is simply a pervert!)
3. He began frantically looking all around for something - he was looking for something metal to touch against wood.
Above 2 and 3 rituals would negate the bad luck scaramanzia of number 1.
4. You DO NOT pass the salt from hand to hand - you put it down on the table in front of the person who asked for it.
5. NO 13 guests for dinner - never - ever - period. And, if you are the 13th guest - leave.
6. Black cat - even in the U.S. this was known - but here - very serious Wooo, wooooo. This friend would stop the car - turn around and go another way before crossing a black cat's path.
7. NO romantic candle in the bedroom - they put candles there when someone dies.
Now - I am here from the last 35 years in CA - I fear earthquakes, fires, mudslides, and Beverly Hills meter maids. But this is SCARAMANZIA thing is getting to me - slowly but surely.............
My thought was - why don't we all just go for an exorcism once a year - get rid of all the evil-eye, curses, bad luck scaramanzia - just like I have an annual pap test and mammogram?
Why no photo?? You guessed it - I have to check it out with my 89-yr-old scaramanzia lady to see if it is bad luck or not!
Monument Vittorio...
by Roeffie
Monument Vittorio Emanuele
This monument also known as Il Vittoriano was finished in 1911 in honour for Victor Emanuel II of Savoie, the first King of united Italy. The monument is built with marble. A few of it's nicknames are:
Wedding Cake
Typewriter
Train from Fiumicino Airport to Centre of Rome
by sue_stone
On our last trip to Rome we flew into Fiumicino Airport and decided that the easiest way to get into town was by train.
You can catch the train from the terminal, direct non-stop to Rome Termini Station.
The train goes every half an hour and takes around 30 mins. It cost us about 8 euros oneway.
Just remember to validate your ticket in the yellow machine on the platform before boarding your train.
We found it an easy and stress free way to get into town.
Our free breakfast
by EllenH about Gran Caffe
This breakfast was free, included with our room at the Pop inn hostel. I had read that the chocolate croissants were to die for so thats what I went for. It was very good and so was my cappucino. The place was extraordinarily busy with what seemed to be locals but this could have been it close proximity to the termini. The chocolate croissants were delicious but so were all the others my husband and son had. The coffees were quite good also.
The Colosseum
by sswagner
This could be Rome's most famous and beloved attraction. Whether or not you stick to the main sites or you prefer to wander from the beaten path, this is simply too unique to be missed. Therefore, get in line, buy the ticket, and see the interior of this arena which has inspired many ohers since then. Sure, the price is a little steep, yet there is really no substitute for this place. I do recommend reading a guide book and studying the design of the Colosseum before actually going in. You will see the underground passages exposed in the center. This story of gladiators and Christians continues to fascinate those who visit. Some people like to pose with the dressed up gladiators outside (for a fee). Others are here to see the intricate design of the arena. There is not much to say than has already been said. I would recommend bringing your camera and something to drink. Drinks are expensive in this immediate area as you might imagine. There is a metro subway route that stops here at the station "Colosseo" and several bus routes frequent this region. Transportation is very easy and quick from the Termini station area. As soon as you walk out of the underground station, the monument will be directly in front of you.
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Carlo Bilotti by Larry Rivers
Statue of Italy's First King
Great Eye with the bright ray of light
Valentino 45 years of style
