“Roman Holiday” Starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck

…………….Whoops I mean starring Tamara and Aldo!

It started with a friend who had an Italian friend who lives in Rome. He was contacted and said he would be delighted to show me “His Rome” not the tourist Rome. We agreed on a time to meet and Aldo age 75, arrived on a small scooter. I had a heart attack on the spot and told him I could not and would not ride that small scooter around Rome.

He replied with the most charming Italian accent “Come on, please don’t be afraid to have an adventure.” This guy did not know who he was talking to when he spilled out the word “adventure,” which is my middle name. And who could say no to that Italian accent. So, I donned the helmet and jumped on the scooter.  Well, not exactly “jump” but come on, I am 70.   

I would like to report that this 75-year-old drove slow and cautiously. No, that was not the case. He drove at neck breaking speed, weaving in and out of traffic, cutting in front of cars, jumping in front of trucks and racing in between huge buses, honking at anyone who got in his way or went too slow. In addition, he kept turning around to tell me about all the sights we drove by, hence taking his eyes off the road! I don’t know how many people know that Italians have their voice box in their hands, therefore everytime he turned to tell me anything he had to take one hand off the handle bar and use it to talk to me. Italians can not talk without using their hands!

But I did see “His Rome” and it was stunning. Rome is spectacular in anyway, shape or form you see it. We rode to remote areas that overlooked the entire city. No tourist in sight. We drove to ruins and Roman aqueducts build in 200 AD. The views were outstanding.

When it was time for lunch, he said we would drive away from the city. He claimed the food and restaurants inside the city of Rome were all garbage as they catered to the tourist. I did not tell him that I had already had a few “garbage meals” in the city that I thought were awesome! How could I argue with an Italian about Italian food?

It was a beautiful, sunny day and we sat outside at a lovely restaurant and enjoyed a leisurely 6 course lunch. It lasted over two hours. The Italians know how to eat and enjoy a meal. I asked him to order as everything was in Italian and I did not recognize anything on the menu.

We started the meal with lasagna. Not American lasagna. There was no red tomato sauce or mozzarella cheese in this dish. It was to die for. Then we had a pasta dish with a lemony meat sauce. The pasta was very al dente and so flavorful. I am sure it was homemade.

Next were marinated, fried artichokes. They were cut in such a way that at first, I did not recognize them as artichokes, until I bit into one. Small, thin, flavorful breaded, fried lamb chops accompanied the artichokes. We ate these two dishes with our fingers. The dishes were small and we shared them so it was not overwhelming to eat so much.

Then, just when I thought I could not eat one more bite, the waiter brought out a  delicious roast beef with potatoes and black olives. The meat melted in my mouth. And last but not least a desert. A rich, moist cake, with a cream and jam filling. All of this was accompanied with an excellent bottle red Italian wine.

I considered drinking most of the wine because I was concerned about him driving me home with too much wine and at the same time, I was concerned about me falling off the bike with too much wine. In Italy everyone drinks wine at most meals. The same Cafe that I saw people stop in the morning for a “shot” of Expresso also stopped by after work for a “quick” glass of wine. In the end, we each enjoyed a glass and left most of the bottle behind- I hope the staff enjoyed finishing it off.

Aldo worked in international banking all his life and speaks 5 languages including Russian. He walked the Camino de Santiago 7 times. The first 4 times he did large sections and then twice walked the entire route starting in France and climbing over the Pyrenees mountains.  He scoffed at me only walking 100 KMs. After retirement his wife became ill and passed.  Shortly after his retirement he was asked by the GermanCatholic Cardinal to help out with the finances of an large international Catholic organizations that overseas charity work in 50 some countries. He travels to all these countries and continues to enjoy working.

It was a great day and I was sorry to see it end, but not sorry to get off that scooter, and very grateful that I arrived back to my hotel in one piece.  We plan to stay in touch.

“Start by doing what’s necessary, then do what’s possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” — St. Francis of Assisi