Over the next few weeks, I will re-release my ‘Adventures in Rome’ blog post series as I transfer them from the archives to Magnusmade.com. Contributing to #tbt or #ThrowbackThursday, a new post will be released every Thursday, beginning Sept 5, 2019.
About ‘Adventures in Rome 2011’
In autumn 2011, I spent four months exploring the enchanting city of Rome, and experiencing what truly was la dolce vita. It was the period in my life when I sat down and wrote what became my debut novel The Love Fool. Although my blog posts were mainly about the foods I ate, I did explore many other aspects of Rome: neighborhoods, people, culture, museums and life.
Comments are encouraged.
Adventures in Rome 2011
From the archives: Updated from original post on February 2012.
As many of you may know, my 2011 Autumn Adventures in Rome has come to an end. I spent a few months exploring the enchanting city and experiencing what truly was la dolce vita. Although I posted mainly about the foods I ate, I did explore many other aspects of Rome: neighborhoods, people, culture, museums and life.
In the beginning, I did run into the typical hiccups of moving to a new place: apartment search, solitude and acclimation – small incidents that made me doubt my decision to drop my normal life and move to Rome. In the end, I am 100% happy I allowed myself to have such a wonderful experience.
I am fortunate I was able to accomplish this and take the time to give myself an escape from day-to-day life. I completed a part time consulting job in food tourism, started writing The Love Fool, spent quality time with relatives, and met many new people and many new friends that I know I will keep for a very long time.
Those of you that followed my adventures on social media learned when I toured a specialty chocolate factory, experienced traditional flavors through an exclusive modern gourmet meal, and discovered enchanting areas like the Park of Monsters, Villa Borghese and the legends of the Witches in Benevento (one of the most popular posts from this adventure).
In case you weren’t able to follow along, at the end of this write-up is a list of my blog posts from this adventure. Please take the time to read about (or revisit) the places I visited and the foods I tasted. Warning: Many of these posts will make you hungry.
As usual, I also had odd experiences: I was approached to possibly co-host a travel series (which fell through), I avoided the droppings from the month-long million-bird invasion in Trastevere (although I did witness ballet-like murmuration, now and then), and was taken for a Spaniard everywhere I went (which – being a bit vain – I took as a compliment as the Spanish are known to be beautiful people – ha!!!).
Seriously though, I learned so much about regional foods, cooking, flavors and traditions of Lazio and more. Someday, I wish to travel all of Italy with fork in hand, exploring each region through its culture, traditions and culinary specialties.
In addition to running around and eating everything in site, I also took the time to think about life. In fact, many times I thought about Fellini’s Roman masterpiece La Dolce Vita and often found myself relating to the main character Marcello, whom was constantly trying to figure out what kind of life he wanted to lead. Like Marcello, I now know what it is I don’t want in life… (and many of you know, I probably still have no idea what it is that I want. Baby steps, people, baby steps.) In the end, returned to the USA refreshed, re-energized, awakened and reborn.
And I am thankful for the increase in subscribers and followers of my blog. I encourage you to check back here for more info on upcoming adventures, my kitchen trials (and disasters), Italian music, culture and more. Something to look forward to: I will attempt to recreate Italy’s regional dishes right in my very own kitchen – of course, I’ll have a soundtrack as I do this. In addition, I’m bringing home some delicious cocktail and aperitivo ideas – perfect for hosting my own Italian Happy Hour.
I thank you all for your support, encouragement and excitement; and I look forward to returning home to hug my family and friends.
With much love,
Lorenzo il Magnifico
Adventures In Rome 2011 Blog Posts
- Caffè con Schiuma Zuccherato
- Il Leone Stregato cocktail / The Witches of Benevento (Naples)
- Tasting Testaccio
- Rome’s Pizza al Taglio
- Stuzzichini: Supplí
- In Search of Death’s Cookie
- Restaurant: Locanda della Luna (Naples)
- Cinecittá: Italy’s Hollywood
- Holiday Struffoli
- Park of Monsters in The Sacred Woods
- Lessons in Roman Cooking
- Maritozzo and the Modern Serenade
- 5 Spots in Rome for a great Happy Hour Aperitivo
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