When & When Not to Drink Cappuccino

Cappuccino, a "coffee-based drink made with espresso, hot milk, and milk foam", is a staple in Italy (1). However, you will almost never see an Italian drinking it after 11 am, only tourists.

This is because Italians feel that the milk in the cappuccino makes it much too heavy to be had any later in the day. They also never order one after a meal because the milk is much to filling. It makes the perfect beverage for breakfast because it is heavy enough to keep one full but not too filling to make one feel ill in the morning.

Although in America it is common to order a cappuccino after a nice meal, you will never see this done by an Italian. Cappuccinos in America are also much larger than the cappuccinos in Italy.

[1] "Cappuccino." Wikipedia. 3 June 2008. 9 Jun 2008. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cappuccino.

Directions to the Pantheon

Starting from the Termini Station, at the Piazza del Cinquecentro looking out, turn left on Via Cavour. Walk down four blocks and you will find Santa Maria Maggiore, located in Piazza del Esuilino. To leave the piazza take Via S. M. Maggiore, which will turn into Via Panisperna. Travel along this road around the left of the circle to V. IV Novembre. As you move along the road you will notice that it turns into V. Del Plebsato. Turn right on Via del Cestari. You will walk right into Bernini’s Egyptian obelisk and marble elephant here. Walk a little bit further straight and on your right you will see Santa Maria sopra Minerva. Continue just a little more on Via d. Minerva and you will find the Pantheon on the left.

It is a Catholic church that was once a Pagan church. There are numerous large columns that greet you at the entrance to the Pantheon, as well as large wooden doors that provide your entry inside. As you enter and look up, you will notice the oculus in the center of the Dome. Walk around the Pantheon to observe the Tomb of Raphael and the original Roman marble floors that were restored in 1873.

Directions to Piazza Navona

Starting from the Termini Station, at the Piazza del Cinquecentro looking out, turn left on Via Cavour. Continue down five streets and turn right onto Via A. Depretis, which will turn into Sistina Via Quattro Fontane. About six streets down on your right, you will notice Piazza Barberini and the Fontana del Tritone. Turn left on Via del Tritone. Continue down and make a left on Via del Corso. Walk down the road looking for Banca di Roma on the right. Here on the right as well, you will find my school in Piazza del Collegio Romano. Continue on Via del Corso until you see Corso Vittorio Emanuele II. Make a right here. While on this road you will see Sant’Andrea della Valle on your left. The next street on your right is Corso del Rinascimento. Turn right here. Turn left on Via del Conestrani. Here you will find Piazza Navona.

The center of Piazza Navona, in the afternoon, will be filled with artists and their artwork, musicians, and tourists. There are plenty of restaurants that line the perimeter of the piazza. Above the restaurants are quaint brick buildings, with flower boxes on each window sill. Don’t forget to stop at each of the three fountains, located at each end and in the middle of Piazza Navona.

Bicycles Everywhere in Amsterdam

Last weekend I was in Amsterdam, which is basically a city full of bicycles. Unlike Rome, where most people either drive smart cars or Vespas, bicycles are the major means of transportation in Amsterdam.

It is somewhat difficult to navigate your way around the city because of all the bicycles, trains, and cars. The 'sidewalks' contain a bike path but it is difficult to distinguish from the walking path. I swear I must have pissed off half of the locals riding bikes throughout the weekend because I was constantly in the wrong lane.

The bicycles also seemed to be old fashion. They were higher off the ground than most in the States and were simple in design. The taxis were even bicycles! They had three wheels with a bucket-type seat on the back. I wish I had the chance to ride in one but we walked everywhere. Better for us anyway!

Directions to Catacombe di San Callisto and Catacombe di San Sebastiano

Starting from Stazione Centrale Roma Termini Station, take the Archeobus. It is a bright green, open air bus, with a “hop on, hop off” system. It picks you up at the station, on the half hour, from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, and travels along the Appian Way, with 11 stops. The information we found and details about each stop can be found at Archeobus Route.

Tickets cost 13 Euro for adults and kids under 5 years old are free. They can be purchased online, on board, or at the Termini Station. We suggest that you purchase the tickets online, as there seems to be online discounts available.

Stop number 8 is Catacombe di San Callisto. We suggest you get off the bus and explore this catacomb. The hours are Thursday through Tuesday, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. It opens again at 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. It is closed on Wednesdays and in February. It takes approximately 30 to 40 minutes to complete the tour. Tickets cost 6 Euro for adults, 3 Euro for children under 15 years old and students and free admission for children under 6 years old. The information we found and more can be found at Home Page of San Callisto. After you finish you can either continue walking down Appian Way to our next suggested stop, the Catacombe di San Sebastiano, or hop back on the Archeobus. It will be the next stop on the bus tour.

Stop number 9 will drop you at Catacombe di San Sebastiano. The hours of operation and ticket costs are the same as mentioned above.
[1]

The Catacombs of San Callisto span from four different levels which include the crypt of the popes and the crypt of Santa Cecilia. The rooms which are of great importance in the Catacomb contain stucco and frescoes and can be reached by traveling through small hallways of volcanic remains. Also along the Appian Way is the Catacomb of San Sebastiano which can be identified with dull frescoes and graffiti. Although the catacombs seem to be a major tourist site, there are also basilicas located above the Christian tombs.

group members include: Nicole D., Hilary H., Juliana H., and Mia

[1] "Catacombe di San Sebastiano." 3 Jun 2008. http://www.catacombe.org/.

Sant'Agnese in Agone

When you enter Piazza Navona from Corsia Agonale, which you would if you were coming from the Pantheon, you are immediately met by an overwhelming building. This is the Sant'Agnese in Agone church. The name comes from St. Agnes, a young, virgin martyr. It was built in 1657. It is said that St. Agnes was forced to renounce her faith, naked and was killed on this site and burried in the catacombs along Via Nomentana.

The concave facade of the building was done by Rainaldi but mostly planned by Borromini. I did not know it earlier but after I researched this building I found out something interesting about the Fountain of Four Rivers. It is said that Bernini, who created the fountain, had one of the personifications hold his hand, seeming to protect himself from the facade of the Sant'Agnese in Agone. This is thought to be because of a tense relationship between the two men, but can't be proven because the fountain was completed before the facade of the building. The statue of St. Agnes, that resides on the facade of the building, is there to reassure the stability of the church.

On the interior of Sant'Agnese in Agone there is a dome covered in frescoes painted by Ciro Ferri, Sebastiano Corbellini, and Il Baciccia in the late 17th century. There is also the body of Pope Innocent X, who had the church enlarged, lays in a crypt to the left of the alter.

EyeWitness Guide. pg. 121

"Sant'Agnese in Agone." Wikia. 27 Feb 2007. 2 Jun 2008. http://romanchurches.wikia.com/wiki/Sant'Agnese_in_Agone.

Home Wine Making

The other day, my boyfriend was telling me how him and his friend decided to learn how to brew their own beer. I thought it was such a great idea. It allows you to understand what you are drinking and enjoy your beer so much more.

So, I wondered if it would be possible to make your own wine, since it is a blog topic of mine. Much to my delight, it is extremely possible to do and fairly inexpensive once you complete the process a few times. All you need to do is a little research online and buy a few kits to begin.

To get started it is easiest to purchase an equipment starter kit and a wine ingredient kit. Since both kits contain everything that you need to create the perfect wine for your taste all you need to do next is add water. This will cause the fermentation process to occur and soon your wine will be ready.

• please click here for a list of the contents of both kits
• please click here for step-by-step instructions
• a recipe for dry red and white table wine can be found here
  

"An Introduction to Homewinemaking & Homebrew." Home Wine Making. 2 Jun 2008. http://www.homewinemaking.co.uk/.

"I want to make my own wine and beer!." Brewery Lane. Brewery Lane Ltd.. 2 Jun 2008. http://www.brewerylane.com/getting_started.html.

Crowe, Alison. "your first wine from fresh grapes." WineMaker. 2 Jun 2008. http://winemakermag.com/yourfirstwine/grapes.html.