An Evening with Alfredo and Maura in Rome

Evening with Alfredo and Maura


The phone call I was receiving was from Maura stating that she and Alfredo would be a little late due to the fact that the Friday evening traffic was terrible. We told him we were just returning from our day at the Vatican and we probably would not be ready until 7. Maura and Alf redo pick up at the hotel and off we went. Parking is another issue in Italy, anywhere you go. There is none. We finally found a parking space by the river Fiume Tevere. There is an island there with a hospital on it. We went to the Piazza Navona which has the three fountains. Upon arriving to our surprise all the lights were out and it was very difficult to see. You will not be seeing any pictures from her because of that fact. We continued walking to the Pantheon. As I said before there is so much beauty and history in Rome and it’s everywhere you look. Along the way in the Piazza we visited a few shops. Since we got a late start most of them were closing at 8. Try to put this on our list for tomorrow if possible. At about 9 we decided to eat (finally). Susie and I were getting pretty hungry by this point so we went into a little pizzeria. We all had a different pizza and drank beer, talked and did a lot of laughing. Alfredo brought his little list out that he had written in English that he wanted to show me. He had some names written on it that he had remembered from when my Noni had visited and when Cindy Mazzetta had visited. He was so charming and cute, he kept saying he remembered beautiful Cindy Mazzetta, beautiful. Ok Cindy, you must have been about 23, out of college and traveling with a girlfriend. Alfredo was probably about 18 or 19 and meeting 2 young women from America. What do you think he was thinking? He also remembered Uncle Pety. They are all so interested in the family and what everyone is doing. Susie and I had been trying to pick up the tab for the last two dinners so we could thank Maura and Alfredo. Finally I was able to snatch the bill from the waitress hand and I paid. Alfredo didn’t like that a bit. In Italy the man always pays. Take note guys. We then continued walking back to the car and stopped to have gelato. All I can say at this point is I am glad I brought stretchy clothes. As we walked back to the car we continued talking about Rome, Anacortes and Nerito. Alfredo loves Nerito. It’s where he was born. He said he loves to hike there and he loves the land the trees, and space to roam. He also loves mountains. On his trip to Seattle 2 years ago he said he loved the landscape. I had asked Maura what her favorite food was when they were in America. She just laughed and shook her head, waving her arms. She said there are to many choices and she doesn’t understand the menu. She said it was to complicated. Back in Italy menus are much simpler. Alfredo and Maura did say though that they liked the pancakes, hence the reason we brought them maple syrup. As we continued walking back to the car I wished I would be spending more time in Rome. Finally back to the car and back to the hotel. Another wonderful evening getting to know my Italian family.

Missing you Mike, TJ, Nick and Mom.

Tomorrow will be spending the day with the Riccotti family (my grandmothers side).

Stay tune…