Police and Popsicles

During Graziella’s house call to Ettore yesterday, I was pretty sure she seconded my opinion that sugar isn’t always bad—especially for a sick toddler. How many of us grew up drinking 7-Up or Ginger Ale when we were sick? Today, Elena confirmed that I understood her correctly.

I’ve been at a loss as to how I might help. My Nurse Mom practices are a far cry from what’s usually done here. 

After holding and rocking baby Matteo through this morning’s chaos, which included Ettore not eating or drinking, I offered to go in search of popsicles. They were not at CRAI, or at the frozen treat bin at the tabaccherie en route, so I continued on down to—you guessed it—Decò.

Along the way, one of the cart vendors had their loudspeaker going. I’ve been trying to get a video clip of this daily occurrence, but they either round out of sight or, as today, they stop for someone just as I have my video setting ready. Future goals, I guess.

Walking down Viale dei Fiori, I noticed three “Polizia Locale” spaced about a quarter of a block apart, along one side of the street. I couldn’t for the life of me figure out what was happening, but then I saw it: a dose of hot asphalt was poured onto the street, and what looks like a big (big for Italy) steamroller is driving over it, ever so slowly. The actual roadwork took up the approximate footprint of a 1963 VW minivan, but most of the avenue was cordoned off and officially attended to, causing all traffic on Viale dei Fiori to slow to a crawl. If any of them were headed to Decó, about 3 km away, I’m sure I beat them there on foot.

I was happy to see a large expanse of freezer space at Decó, although it took me a minute to find the ghiaccioli, the ice pops that are mostly water and sugar and the closest thing to a Popsicle. Hydration and calories are what Ettore needs right now. There were a lot of chocolate, pistachio, and dairy confections to get past before I found the frozen ice pops… they looked delicious and were hard to ignore.

Insulated freezer bag in hand, I walked back and went directly to Elena’s house, praying the whole way that these would do the trick. I also got the ‘push-up’ ice pops version. Once in Elena’s kitchen, I took out an orange popsicle and opened it. Mmmmm, Ettore, do you want a bite? At the same time, Andrea offered him the chocolate push-up version, and sometimes I think this well-attended child goes into sensory overload. No success with either one, as far as Ettore eating it. However, I finished mine and thought it was pretty tasty.

I came up to the apartment, since Andrea was trying to get Ettore to eat a little pastina. About two minutes later, Elena sent me this:

Bravo!

He has two boxes to get through. Let’s hope this keeps him hydrated.

Meanwhile, it’s something to note that while Ettore’s temperature rose, the weather fever broke. It’s well within my comfort range today; a cool 84°F—my perfect setting. Etna is making the sky a bit hazy, but once in a while a break from the sun is nice.

Joe and his family are at the Vatican today. I’m happy they’re getting this concentrated time together. As much as I’d like to be there, I know I change the family dynamic, and I’ve been on the scene for a longggg time, so they haven’t had Joe to themselves for a while. This will be special dad and grandpa time.

And now, my little sojourn upstairs puts me at nearly 3:00pm. What have I been doing?

*********

Hoo boy. I just talked to Joe, and the fabulous Rome restaurant we were trying to remember is NOT ‘Sofia,’ as I surmised from looking at a map. I remembered it being near our hotel, found the hotel on the map, and guessed at the restaurant. But I guess it wasn’t good, and that’s a bad start to a trip. It’s pretty hard to find a terrible meal in Italy, even at the tourist places, so… aggghhh. They did make it to the Sistine Chapel, and it sounds as if Coen was grooving on it.

Since this is a blog linked to some other Italy-related sites, I thought I’d post the Rome activity list I gave to Joe and family, from which to pluck possible itineraries. I’ll add meta tags to this post. 

I should note—get your walking legs ready! Rome is a place best seen on foot.

Here is the list, although it’s far from extensive:

IDEAS:

• Rent bikes along the Appian Way
• Go to Catacombs of San Callisto or Sebastian (along Appian Way)
• Capuchin Crypt at Santa Maria della Concezione, on the Via Veneto near Piazza Barberini

• AS Roma or SS Lazio game at Rome’s Olympic Stadium (northwest segment)(this was struck out because the last match was in May, and Joe’s family didn’t arrive until June).

• Adrian Park near Castel Sant’Angelo has a soccer field
• Trevi Fountain (throw a coin)
•  Colosseum—get a tour of the Hypogeum underneath (where they kept the lions).
• Sign up for a ‘Be a Gladiator’ session! Class can be booked thru Gruppo Storico Romano
• Look for the 100 “hidden” pipe drinking fountains
• Ride go-karts or bikes at Parco Pincio
• Put your hand in the Bocca della Verità and answer a question—if you lie, your hand will be bit off
• Look at the hole in the roof of the Pantheon
• See the giant (size of a small car) foot at the Piazza della Minerva. Rub it for good luck.
• After dark, do the Illuminated Rome Tour for Kids and Families with Gelato and Pizza (viator.com or 1-888-651-9785 to book)
• Zucchari Palazzo, where doorways and windowframes are big monster mouths (near Spanish Steps)
• Shop for picnic fare at Campo Fiori, then walk to Isola Tiberina, Villa Borghese, or Giancolo Hill for a picnic lunch
• The Roman Forum
• Bring a soccer ball to Piazza Navona or Circus Maximus and kick it around. You’ll be surprised how quickly others will join in.
• Visit Castel Sant’Angelo
• Baths of Caracalla 
• Colle Oppio—hidden swimming pools, caffe vendors, parks, view of Colosseum 
• In the south end of Trastevere, eat at “the Ugly Tavern,”—La Tavernaccia da Bruno
• I feel you’d be remiss in not seeing the Sistine Chapel, Catholic or not…
• The DaVinci Museum of Inventions, Palazzo della Cancelleria
• Bartolucci store—visit where they still hand-make wooden Pinocchios
• Visit the Cat Sanctuary at Torre Argentina, near where Julius Caesar was killed
• Peek thru Knights of Malta keyhole (Aventine Hill) to see St. Peter’s cathedral 
• Visit top of “The Wedding Cake,” (Vitt. Emmanuele monument)
• Find the She-Wolf on Campodoglio Hill (read about Romulus and Remus before the trip!)
• Cross state lines within a country—walk into Vatican City, a city-state. See the Pompieri Swiss Guards, go into St. Peter’s Cathedral and rub the statue’s foot, climb the narrow tower staircase to the top to get amazing views, stand on the star in the pope’s piazza and watch all the columns disappear behind one another.
• Visit the Imperial Forum at night; recreations of how it likely looked in ancient times are projected onto the ruins
• Visit the Pyramid (near Piramide metro stop)
• Eat gelato at Gelateria Gracchi (piazza del Popolo) or at San Crispino (Pantheon) for kid-friendly spots with top-notch gelati!

************

Around 4:15, I went to check on Ettore. Empty house at Elena’s. Down to garage. Mariella’s car is gone. Of course my mind went to the worst scenario, guessing they were at the hospital. I needed air. Worried! I took a walk.

How much is that birdie in the window?

I sent Elena a text, saying I noticed they’re gone and may be at the hospital; please update me when you can. 45 minutes later, she said they’re ok; they were just sleeping. And Mariella is at the vineyard. But please come to my house.

I got there, and though Ettore isn’t 100%, he is not the floppy rag doll of yesterday. And through all this, Matteo reached a landmark—one month old today! Matteo and I have a good thing going. He’s not a whiny baby, but when he cries, I pick him up and he stops. Then I get to hold him awhile, and he dozes off, staying asleep when I lay him down in his bassinet. It’s all very sweet.

With preemie Matteo needing to be fed often, and Ettore getting feverishly ill, the last thing Elena needed was for Lilo (the dog; her first baby) to get sick. But. Yeah.

Agnese, Rachi, and Mariella came a bit later, then Vincenzo arrived later still—no cards at Circolo Castriata tonight. He asked if Joe and family were enjoying Rome. Then, as always, he waxed poetic about that incredible city. The whole family loves Rome, with Vincenzo being downright passionate about it. Always a font of information, he segued into a discussion about Milan, Leonardo da Vinci, Florence, the Medici, and the Po River. He loves his country and the incredible notables it’s produced; he could (and often does) talk for hours. I find him utterly delightful.

He and Mariella invited me for a zucchini-forward dinner, but I have my leftovers from last night, and a lovely bottle of wine chilling, so I thanked them but trotted upstairs. It was a day of worrying, walking, wishing, and waiting, and I’m a bit tired. Tonight: dishes, garbage, bed.

Leftovers

Before the weekend, I want to drop off a small token of thanks to Alessandro, for getting Joe to the airport. That saved quite a bit of hassle as well as money. Also tomorrow is the last day of school for Rachele and Agnese. I told them, let the Italian-English exchanges begin! All are welcome to Casa di Karen!!

The weather here is perfect. 

Happy almost-weekend to you.