Holiday cheer

There is much holiday cheer going around. The teachers at RIS seem to be ecstatic about the upcoming break (from the kids); the parents seem to be busy holiday shopping; the kids seem to be focused on the next treat! Today, Avery's class gave a holiday concert for the parents at noon. Required attire included a Santa (Babbo Natale) hat for all the little girls and boys. It was a cute show, but all about Christmas. Later we would return to RIS for Olivia's Italian play, but first it was time to eat lunch.

Josh and I dined at our local lunch spot, Rose Trattoria. It's fun to be a regular somewhere -- having never been one before -- and in Rome, no less. I then had time to get to the grocery store before we had to be back at school. Olivia's Italian teacher, Miss Ivana, thought it would be great for the three American 3rd graders to perform a brief play in Italian in front of their classmates and parents - a confidence building exercise. The play was called "Olivia Pizza" and it was about a little girl, Olivia, who wanted to go outside to play, but it was raining. So, instead, her parents had the idea of making an Olivia pizza...meaning putting the ingredients on Olivia. It was very cute. Afterwards, the teacher brought out some real pizza for the class to share.

Morris came to the 3rd grade play at RIS (since his other charge, Peter, was one of the other American kids involved), and then we brought him back to our place afterwards. I guess that worked out well since later I discovered there was another bus strike. After the girls had their piano lesson (and Avery his nap), Morris cooked dinner, and Josh and I did some holiday shopping. Just near our home, and very near AquAniene where we dropped Charlotte for practice, is the Auditorium -- a Renzo Piano designed theater where many concerts and shows are held. Just outside, is a campus which includes an ice-skating rink (although certainly not regulation size) a book store, a merry-go-round, and other entertainment. For the holiday season, a "caravanserraglio" (the term referring to the inns that accomodated the caravans along the trade routes in central and western Asia) is set up where Italian artisans sell their crafts. There were beautiful clothes and scarves, handbags made of recycled rubber material, all types of cool jewelery, a chocolatier, and a woman selling home-made jams, marmalades, soaps and other treats. A very high quality selection of goods -- also reflected by the high prices.

We had been meaning to try Dukes, a restaurant in the Parioli, which many folks had told us about. A few times we looked for it on Viale Parioli but we never quite knew where it was. Tonight, we decided to go for cocktails after shopping while Morris babysat. Josh looked it up on-line beforehand so we knew the exact address. It turned out to be a fantastic place. California cuisine in Rome! The drinks menu was extensive, and the execution excellent. I had a delicious lychee martini and Josh had a classic margherita before sharing a passion-fruit caipiroska with me (made with real passion fruit and vodka). Best of all, it was "happy hour" so we each enjoyed a "snack" with our drinks: one tempura and one tuna "five ways" which was fantastic. The place had a good vibe and lots of energy. Very fun...our own private little holiday party.