Hiding out in Rome...

So... let's get the obvious done and over with - I have in no way kept up with this blog. Slap on the hand and all that. Now, shall we move on?

My first couple weeks in Roma have been nothing but glorious. I haven't got a job yet, but I knew it would be hard to nab one just before Christmas, and so I'm not panicking as yet. I have been settling in nicely into my cosy nido italiano ("italian nest") though. 

I've been spoilt rotten here with views of the Basilica di San Pietro in the Vatican from our apartment window to numerous feasts of food. The particular star thus far being Andrea's (now) signature, spaghetti al pomodoro e scampi. Absolutely mouth watering, no?

As I've left it such a long time before posting, I can't possible cram in everything I'd like to into this post. I'll just leave you with some pictures to show why Roma is really the city of la dolce vita.

By the Tevere, near Gianicolo

The festive lights of Piazza Venezia

The Italian Bandiera Christmas lights on Via del Corso (Rome's answer to Oxford St). As you can see, there is no way you could forget in which country you were.

Had a dinner night on a vintage tram which encircles the city of Rome at night with  a 5 course dinner & live jazz provided by these lot. The drummer (not pictured) looked about 80. Unbelievable.

Colosseo 

And finally...

Andrea bringing our first albero di natale (Christmas tree) home.

TA DAH! Ladies & Gentlemen, we present, Peter Pine. 

Un bacio da Roma.