World Cup!

One of the early games at Villa Borghese:



Watching the World Cup games in Italy has been a blast. They would have been even more of a blast if Italy, the reigning champs, hadn't sucked this year and failed to qualify for the second round. But, even still, it was a good time and I was sad to see the World Cup end. It became a community event here in Rome and it left me thinking "now what am I going to do for fun?" when it was over.

In Italy you had to have a special TV channel to watch the game (one that we didn't have) so we often went out for games. Our favorite place: Villa Borghese, a big park on the northwest side of the city. They had a big FIFA Fan Fest TV in Borghese's Piazza Siena surrounded by trees and usually accompanied by a gorgeous sunset where we watched the majority of the games. This was also a great place to meet friends, camp out, and watch the game. It was usually better than a bar because you didn't have to buy a drink. Of course, there were drink and food vendors everywhere selling stuff for ridiculously high price. So, we often brought our own food and drinks to the game. It was also a really great place to meet new people as well. Here's Erich eating some Pasta con Salsiccia:

Occasionally we would go to a pub to watch the games just for a change of pace and a little bit of luxury. The USA v. England game, however; was pretty far from luxurious. We went to a bar right near the city center and I have NEVER seen so many people packed into such a small space before. It was like one big soccer mosh pit. There were people from wall to wall and yet, somehow there was a clear distinction between the fans. England fans had all found each other on the left side of the bar while the US ended up on the right. Ending with a draw was the best thing that could have happened at the end everyone walked away unscathed and thoroughly soaked in beer and sweat. Yum!

This was not the end of packed games. Especially the few times that Italy played; the crowd at Villa Borghese was massive. But once Italy was out of the running, the crowd didn't dwindle as much as I thought it would. Argentina soon became the favorite for many Italians. This is mostly because their coach, Diego Maradona, used to play for the Napoli team so he still holds many people's allegiance (despite the fact that he was one of soccer's most unethical players and coke-head to boot, known for his Hand of God move that allowed his team to win the 1986 world cup game). Even so, he is a glorified hero the world over. So, when Argentina had an incredibly disappointing loss no one knew who to root for next. Most chose Spain :).

A group of Spaniards gather at the Spanish steps after qualifying for the final game:
Although I was rooting for Spain in the end, I was really rooting for all of the African nations first and foremost, mostly because it was an African World Cup and also because I'd like to see someone other than the major soccer super powers in the last rounds of the competition. I also developed a mad crush on the Ivory Coast player Didier Drogba, but that's neither here nor there. Otherwise, I thought that Germany looked great this year, so well-organized and efficient in their games. I thought they were going all the way, but am glad they got 3rd.

The last world cup game at Villa Borghese was packed to the brim:

Overall, I've loved watching the games here in Europe where soccer, or football, is insanely popular. I can't wait for the next world cup in Brazil 2014...maybe I'll even try to be there for it!

Finding Nemi

A few weeks ago we decided to take a day trip to a little town just outside of Rome called Nemi for their annual strawberry festival. We heard about it from Erich's English student and couldn't resist after learning about the many delicious strawberry treats and the dishing out of free strawberries. So Erich, one of my co-workers, and I set out armed with detailed directions by bus, and ready for some sweet treats. Although it was a Sunday, the directions took us step by step to our destination, easy right? WRONG. OF COURSE NOT! This is still Italy after all. So, even though the strawberry festival is a highly anticipated yearly event for people all over Rome and its neighboring cities since the 1920s, it doesn't mean that buses or even taxis will actually transport people there. No, we reached the town of Genzano without problem, but once there found that the only way there was by foot. Up hill. The whole way. In the heat.

Once found, Nemi was well worth the trek. I can't even complain as we picked up a friend, Stefania, on the way who was pushing 70 years old. She was the real trooper. When we got there we found that getting back to Rome would be even more difficult. We inquired after buses that might be coming near, and found that there were none. We even called a cab, and they said that they didn't want to come up there because there would be too much traffic (ha ha!). So right when we arrived we had to make a decision to leave early (and miss the dishing out of the free strawberries) but find more reliable transportation home, or stay and chance it. So chance it we did.
Overlooking a beautiful lake, Nemi is a quaint but lively town made even more so with their signature small, sweet-sour strawberries. The very sight of Lake Nemi made me miss Michigan, especially Torch Lake, all the more. Lake Nemi is not only beautiful, but packed with history. Before leaving I read that Caligula built huge, extravagant ships to sail on the lake UNTIL they were destroyed after his death. BUT WAIT! They were recovered when Mussolini drained the lake in order to retrieve the large vessels and restore them safely in a museum in Nemi. BUT NO! The ships were too soon blown up by the Nazis during WWII leaving no trace of these amazing pieces of history. Oh the suspense! Lost, found, lost.

The strawberries were just as delicious as we anticipated, and as I left town I noticed I had a bit of a stomach ache, or as I like to call it, sugar belly (the feeling one gets after eating WAY too much sugar). This was the goal, the mark of a truly successful day. There was strawberry everything; strawberry pizza, milkshakes, tarts, liquor, ice cream sundaes, sandwiches, cake...everything strawberry under the sun.

The community strawberries were the highlight of the day. They brought in truck loads of strawberries and after much applause and rallying, they emptied the crates into a large vat and topped it with champagne and sugar before handing them out plate by plate to everyone who wanted them. I advocate for more fruit related festivals, it was a great time.