Between the food and the people, it’s hard to say what I’ve loved best about my last few days in Rome. It certainly isn’t the monsoon we’re having right now, or the nasty cold I picked up somewhere along the way – that is one thing I’m sure of.
But the food! The food isn’t exactly your typical Roman fare. In fact, I’ve only eaten out twice since I got here on Monday. I’ve devoured the rest of my meals right here in the hostel at the Beehive Cafe. Vegetarian and mostly organic, the yummy meals are made right in front of your very eyes, from vegetables grown in the on-site garden, by Francesca and Gianluca.
Pumpkin/Gorgonzola quiche. Yogurt with granola and fresh fruit. Chickpea, lentil and broccoli soup. Tagliatelle with arugula, sun dried tomatoes and Parmesan. Multi-grain oatmeal with fresh pears and honey. Minestrone with crusty bread. Nutella crepes with ice cream. Wine. And tea. Lots and lots of tea with honey.
You get a pretty good idea of what’s for dinner while you’re eating breakfast. Francesca starts tossing vegetables into a big pot, and then it’s only a matter of waiting. Dinner every night is a parade of exquisitely good food and a riot-a-minute conversation. Throw three Americans, a Canadian or two, a couple of Aussies, a few Brits, and a Greek gal into the same room with overflowing plates of pasta and free-flowing wine and the result is… well, it’s the receptionist coming down the stairs to remind us that quiet hours have begun. Twice.
And then there’s Carlo, the young Italian guy in the dorm. In common, Carlo and I have a bunk-bed and a cold, and not a whole lot more. But that seems to be enough to keep the conversation flowing. He is, I think, the most earnest person I’ve ever met and he goes to the greatest lengths to hurdle that language barrier.
This morning, I teased him about his snoring.
“Oh, no! Really? I snork?”
I choked on a giggle. Snork.
“Only a little,” I told him. “I’m just teasing you.”
“Tonight, if I snork, you…” he made a gesture, indicating that I should punch his bed from below.
“I would never!”
“Only for you, I tell you to do this.”
And then this morning, when I saw him at breakfast, he asked if he had snorked again the night before.
“No, no. I slept like a baby,” I lied.
There was no way I was going to tell him the truth. Just like I’d never, ever tell him the word isn’t snork.
I am loving your stories!
Still jealous that other men get to share a bunkbed with you.
Laughing out loud each time.
I had a hostel experience like that in Paris … always pick a hostel with a bar in it.
Rome, though, not so much. I got scabies from my hostel in Rome.
LOVE IT!! sounds like you’re having a fantastic time
my Russian manicurist confuses the expression and always says, “it’s a bull****”… it’s so cute that I hope no one ever corrects her
Jealous…I tried to stay at the beehive when I was in Rome this May, but they were booked
I’ve heard great things. Question: What’s it like dorm hosteling as someone older than 25? At 31, I often stay in hostels, but do the private room, shared bathroom approach, because I need my sleep (not so much bothered by snorking, but more by late-night partying). But…it’s cheaper to stay in dorms, and with the dollar doing so poorly, I’ve thought about doing my next trip by dorm. What type of people are you meeting that way; what’s your experience been? (thanks for the post on traveling alone, by the way) 
Sounds like a little slice of wonderful.
Glad you’re enjoying Rome!
I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed your stories the last weeks, especially since I am 10 days and counting from my first trip to Italy(in Rome for half my time there)! Thanks for sharing your experiences!
Please, oh please, do not leave Rome until you have eaten in one or two of the Jewish Italian restaurants in the ghetto….Yotvata is extraordinary for fried artichokes, vegetables, and cod…..also try Paris in Trastevere, a bit pricey and old fashioned, but you will eat – and be treated like – a goddess!
That was awesome. Thanks for the smiles.
Ooh, I stayed at the Beehive years ago, before it went all granola. It was lovely then and I’m sure is great now. You seriously go three steps outside and run into the Colosseum. Great choice!
Snorking..HA! What would he say a snort is when you laugh so hard you let out a snort? HAHA.
Love it.
snork & it’s a bull**** … must work those into conversation this weekend …
ahaha SNORK. I’m still laughing. Damn Italians, they can make a cold and broccoli sound charming.
Your travelogue makes me more holiday-sick (as in home sick) than ever!!! You seem to be having so much fun, the cold nothwithstanding.
wow – have you moved to Europe w/o our knowing? Lol.
Yes, I’m jealous.
You’re making me want to go back to Rome…I didn’t like it the first time I was there. Looking back, I know it was more fabulous than my experience suggested. Rome was holding back….
You’re making me want to go backpacking across Europe! Now I’m all restless and travel-hungry. Glad to hear that you’re having such a good time! Where to next, Ms. Fish?
Pompeii, huh?
Well, if you want to continue your travels to the exciting world of Birmingham, Alabama – we’ve got a Pompeii exhibit at our art museum until January (I think).
http://www.pompeiibirmingham.com/
I haven’t seen it yet, but plan to go soon.
~d