The Most Beautiful Garbage Dropoff in the World

We rented an apartment on Via Farnese by the Farnese Palace at the corner of Via Giulia, in Rome.

Our front door was less than 10 feet from an arch designed by Michelangelo. I photographed it, stood under it, all the while marvellling at the fact that the arch is a work of Michelangelo.

When instructing us on the details of the apartment, our landlord casually informed us that garbage is picked up 3 times a day and that our assigned spot is on the street under the Michelangelo arch.

Where do you drop your garbage?

Italy Travel Train to Rome and Lunch

The train that brought us to Rome was late, empty, and immaculate.

Argument with cab driver over the fare, which I always lose.

Domino effect of late train: our landlord was no where to be seen in the midst of the medieval lanes off Piazza Farnese.

Rome, a spectacular 70-plus degrees (October 10th), blue sky in every direction.

First lunch in Rome at a neighborhood trattoria spilling out onto the lane: caccio e pepe and for me , bucatini all'amatriciana (with some herbs from the Spice Man), accompanied by Rosso di Montalcino 2006.

Their motto is ''l,acua fa malle...er vino fa canta!'' [Water makes you sick -- wine makes you sing.] So we sang all afternoon...

This may be our neighborhood hangout, Trattoria al Balestraria on the lane of the same name. 16th-century Rome at its most authentic.