Roman way of life

How lucky to be able to get to know a bit of the everyday Roman way of life while visiting an Italian colleague in Rome. Even the drive into the city centre in the flow – or rather the gridlock – of chaotic Roman traffic, past the many sights, was an experience and let me authentically experience the city’s unique atmosphere.

After a long search for a parking space (which later led to a €58 fine and a point on my licence), we finally reached the office on Via Cola di Rienzo on foot, not far from the Vatican and Castel Sant’Angelo, and got to work. Soon it was lunchtime and luckily the “Franchi” deli is only a few metres from the office. The counters, shelves and displays are bursting with regional specialities; for lunch, there’s an incredibly delicious-smelling selection of filled panini or freshly prepared, sophisticated pasta or rice dishes available for a quick bite standing up or “to take away”.

The selection is popular with many Romans working in the surrounding offices or shops, making the shop a favourite meeting place at lunchtime. Afterwards, we have the obligatory espresso in the bar next door before heading back to work. Before leaving, I couldn’t resist walking the five hundred metres to the Vatican to enjoy the mild spring sun in St Peter’s Square for a few minutes.