9. General Advice and A Fistful of Italian

 Why is it so much fun to walk Rome’s Historic Centre?

First: the centre is flat. So it is easy to walk.

Second: it is the size of a small town. An hour across on foot?

The famous hills of Rome encircle the centre and are filled with treasures which will reward our climb.

The whole has been inhabited for 2,000 years, and it shows.

This is why Rome is our favourite small town in the world.

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You’ll see small fountains scattered throughout the centre. The water is safe to drink.

Wash your hands. Splash cold water on your face. Drink.

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Rome’s Metro is small and easy to use and signage is good.

Buy your tickets at a magazine kiosk like this one. Ask for biglietti (bee-lee-ET-tee). Or buy them in the metro station: the easy to use machines will accept your euro notes.

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When we travel Bill and I need a constant supply of new books. We haunt three English-language bookstores: two in Trastevere, one near Piazza Navona.

Almost Corner Bookshop, Trastevere, Via delle Lungaretta, 23.

Good general stock of new books. Excellent selection of Rome and Italy-themed books.

Open Door Bookshop, Trastevere, Via del Moro, 45.

Large used-book store -- mysteries, bestsellers, literature. We shop there, then donate our books back as we read them.

The Otherwise Bookshop, Via del Governo Vecchio, 80.

Excellent new books, great Rome and Italy section, some inexpensive used books, some antiquarian books.

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     A F I S T F U L O F I T A L I A N

You already know ciao, vino and grazie

In Italy they'll get you seated on a patio with a drink.

Now try these. Start with posso!

     Posso? (POS-so) -- May I? If you learn only one additional Italian word, let it be posso. Combined with a gesture it can be used many ways. May I enter? May I have another? With a camera in your hand: May I take your picture? Standing by an empty cafe table: May I sit down? (table could be reserved, in which case, server will find you another).

     Scuzi? (SKU-zi) -- To get someone’s attention.

     Vorrei… (vor-RAY) -- I would like …un caffè (oon ka-FAY) an espresso, una birra (oon-a BEE-rah) a beer.

     Per favore (pair fa-VOR-ay) -- Please.

     Tutto bene? (toot-toh BAY-nay?) -- Is everything alright?

     Tutto bene. -- Everything is great.

     Mi piace (mee pee-A-chay) -- I like it (Literally: Me it pleases)

      Il conto (eel CON-toe) -- The restaurant or bar bill. Say grazie after you ask. In English we say, "The bill, please." In Italian we say, "The bill, thank you."

     Permesso? (per-MES-so) -- Say this as you politely slip past someone in the street, or at the airport, or the bar. Note that permesso and scuzi are not synonyms. Scuzi is to get attention. Permesso is to get past the slow coach.

     Bagno (BAN-yo) -- toilet, washroom (Literally: bath) -- In Italy you can find a toilet at the nearest coffee bar.

Stand at the bar and order un caffè or whatever. Then when you ask, simply, “Bagno?” the barista will point the way.

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Your guides: William Kimber and John Elmslie

Bill and I have been visiting Rome with pleasure since our first, eye-opening 12 days in 1995. Friends are asking us for advice -- this is it.

Buon viaggio! (bwon vee-AJ-Joh)

Good trip!