Our Meandering Way: Pickpockets & other Roman classics

Antipasto is how it begins…

My wonderful wife anticipating the quintessential Roman dish, cacio e pepe.

What do you get with a lot of disoriented, distracted tourists in crowded locations? Pickpockets, scam artists, trinket peddlers. The latter 2 are a mild nuisance. The first?

If you think about the sociological implications of a traditionally marginalized ethnic group, you might have sympathy.

If you consider the structural economic challenges, you might be able to weigh in on an academic discussion.

Intellectual sparring in the university faculty halls have covered those topics, I’m sure.

Just think of the vicious jousting here is savage as any gladiatorial combat.

Now, if that actually happens to you…you’ll want to impose ancient Roman justice. I don’t know too many folks that can enjoy their holiday abroad when their wallet or handbag is taken.

Since the light-fingered larceny may not just be the loss of your cash, but credit cards, identification, passport, mobile phone, and medication, you may not be impartial.

That is why these intrepid travelers use chest bags (I did tighten Sandra’s, Andrea’s mom, bag eventually).

Now with that public service announcement behind us, I can balance it with the better side of the locals.

For example, the patient hydraulic engineer (grey pants) and caribiniere (dark uniform with red stripe) I met in the laundromat were more than courteous with my clueless self. They showed me that the soap is added automatically. Plus, they showed me how to enter the machine number in the central payment panel because there is no vending per machine.

As I told Andrea’s sisters, laundromats exist all over European cities—even in the family friendly districts. (In the US suburbs, we just see a lot of them by ethnic grocery stores and payday lenders.) Most folks have washing machines in their apartments. Dryers are not as common. In either case, what is at home is typically not large enough for bulky items.

All that is to say there will be an interesting mix of folks at the laundromat. I was the only tourist during the hour I was there. (Yes, I asked.) So don’t overpack by bringing unique clothes for every day. Who knows who you’ll meet on laundry day?

Speaking of cultural intersection, ever been to “typical American” cuisine joints in another country?

Do you know what is not classical Italian cuisine? Spaghetti and meatballs. Yes, Italians eat spaghetti. Yes, they also eat meatballs. But a single dish that combines both? Fuggadaboutit.

Remember, also, Italian cuisine goes way beyond the sacrilegious Chef Boyardee and frozen white cardboard discs sprayed with ketchup and cheese-like flakes.

The following are authentic dishes. (Note: regional Italian tastes vary widely and can be exotic. Not kidding; click the “exotic” link and see the first. I know what most folks can handle.) Click the names to learn about them.