cancellata

Disappointed

The elephant paddock at the Rome conservation zoo was just beyond the closed gate. But after taking this Ruby Tuesday shot, my son and I scuttled around the corner and made it to the front entrance. We arrived just in time to see the two Indian pachyderms being fed their daily ton and a half of fruit, potatoes, lettuce and grass.

tutto a €1

you want it, we've got it

In Italy, streetside markets are not all about food and second hand clothes. I like to linger before the colorful emporium-style stalls that sell hardware store materials (I have an insane passion for hardware stores). This particular one displayed its nifty items  in plastic baskets, and in exchange for just one Euro. So if you're ever in need of a new potato peeler, adaptor for your gas stove, a strainer for the sink, stainless steel hooks, bottle-openers, garlic crushers, nutcrackers, can and jar openers and a million other all-sorts, all you have to do is stop by and leave just a few coins behind.

cavi

All sorts of cables

Via Cavour is a wide avenue that runs from the Termini train station all the way downhill through the Suburra, ending on via dei Fori Imperiali, by the Colosseum. As you can see by the intricate web of cables, a tram runs from the top, curving to the right. I liked the geometry of all the different intersecting lines in this shot. The late afternoon sunlight suits the tall palazzi at this hour of the day.

mattina presto

I went straight, towards the Basilica

I love Rome in the early hours of the morning. No traffic, awesome light and great photo ops.

via sannio

 

 

Camo and military apparel

The Via Sannio second hand market held every morning in the tightly-packed stalls sheltered by grimy green ondulated plastic roofing and frayed tarp is best known for the American, German and Dutch Army camo, boots and general paraphernalia sold here at affordable prices. Some of the items on sale are vintage WWII pieces, some are hand-me-downs, others simply preloved military thrift.

The atmosphere is seedy and slightly unsafe, one you'd find in any casbah. It takes a little courage to delve in the dark passageways between booths, negotiate and close a deal while keeping close watch on your handbag. Just look at the attitude on those girls parading the alley in the top photo!

Most of my male colleagues shop here for cargo pants they wear on the film set. But I come here for Eva. Her small compartment deals in amazing cashmere sweaters, jumpers, cardigans and scarves in pristine condition, sometimes even brand new which she sells for peanuts. At Eva's I have often bumped into costume designers, stylists and celebrities rummaging through the heaps of wolly softness. I have more than once tried to lure the conversation towards the obscure provenance of Eva's goods, but always unsuccessfully. Don't ask, just grab your bargain while you can.

It feels so warm and soft...

piazza verbano

Umbertine architecture

I love the grandeur of these mid-19th century buildings flanking the Piazza Verbano and lining the Via Nemorense which cuts across it. Way in the deep background a glimpse of the Villa Ada public park is visible beyond the tall umbrella pines in the piazza's roundabout.

bucato al sole

Vicolo

A white balloon, a vespa, a waiter on his cell phone. Plants, windows, doorways, laundry, sunlight. Graffiti, burnt sienna walls, wires, old gaslight lamp, drain pipes, blue sky.

The many elements in this photo sum up Trastevere's character.