Monthly Archives: January 2011

Health Insurance

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Today was a remarkable day for me. One of the reasons I moved to Italy was that in the USA, I am unable to obtain health insurance. I could not be retired at the age of 52, and live in the USA, because I cannot get health coverage. I was in part tied to my job in order to have this protection. I have a preexisting condition, Lupus, and because of that, no one in the USA will insure me. I am not saying that it is too expensive. They won’t even quote a price…they just say “NO!”

This might have changed with the Health Care Reform-For the sakes of those still living there, I certainly hope so, but regardless, I have a MUCH better deal here!

With my permesso di soggiorno, codice fiscale, and certificate di residenza, I am entitled to buy into the National Health Insurance Plan. This secures any and all medical needs I might have.

Today after traveling to 3 different locations to find the correct place, for the cost of 384.34 euros, I am covered for a year! Goodbye COBRA at 350.00 per month!

Italy, according to the World Health Organization ranks #2 in health care in the world, while the USA ranks #37. According to my doctor in Boston they also have the leading researchers in Lupus.

Americans spend more on health care and get less……do you see anything wrong with this picture?

Crostini with Cannellini Beans and Onions

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When Nick visited, he cooked dinner one night. This is his recipe, for a great easy hors d’oeuvre. Try it!

1 baguette Slice and toast or grill
1 can cannellini beans-drain and mash into a paste with some minced garlic to taste. Add a little olive oil if you want, and some lemon juice and salt and pepper
Red onion-cut into slivers and soak these for an hour before in lemon juice.
Put the paste on the crostini, and top with a couple of slices of the onion. Delicious!

Taverna Giulia

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I first visited Taverna Giula in April 2010 with some friends to discuss some jobs that I was interviewing for. They had been to the restaurant before, and it was easy to see why they wanted to return. After the first visit, I told everyone I knew about it, and when Nick and I visited Rome in January 2011, I knew that it would be one of the places we would dine.

We went on a Tuesday evening, and I struggled about making a reservation, not being certain what our schedule would look like for this two day action packed trip, so decided to take our chances. We arrived at 9:00 p.m. and we were the only ones there! That stayed true until about 10 p.m. when another couple arrived. I don’t know what is up with that, as empty restaurants are not a good sign, but the meal was once again extraordinary, and very reasonable priced.

The interior of the restaurant is very elegant, making you think that the prices will reflect the same level of “upscale”. The style of food is from the region of Liguria. Seafood and pesto are key dishes in this area. The restaurant is easy to find and located in the area of The Vatican but on the Rome side of the Tiber. Give it a try! We had 2 courses and 1 dessert and a fabulous bottle of white wine from the Liguria region for 84 euro.
V.lo dell’Oro, 23
00186 Roma
06 686 9768
www.tavernaguilia.it

Lucky Me!

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There is not one single day that goes by that I don’t marvel at what a wonderful life I have. Then there are some days that the absolute wonder of it is just overwhelming…..this is one of those days. Lucky me! I am leaving Rome on a train to Palermo for a “get away”. What I am “getting away” from, I have no idea, but this will be a change of scenery and maybe some sunshine and a little warmer weather.

The holidays were magnificent with both of my sons joining me on Christmas Eve and staying thru the New Year. We visited Venice, and Nick and I took a trip to Rome, his first time there, and he parted this morning for New York. The train ride from Rome to Palermo is 11 ½ hours, which might sound awful, but after 10 days of sightseeing, walking, eating, drinking, and visiting, the slow roll of the train as it travels through the Italian South is inviting.

Thanks to some of my Progressive friends, I have a first class seat with my Eurail pass, so am comfortable, and have my books, music and my computer. What else could I want? The train leaves Roma Termini at 11:39 and arrives this evening at 11 p.m. More to come about my adventures in Palermo.

Antico Osteria Romanesca-Campo dei Fiore

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This tiny restaurant is a great find in Campo dei Fiore! We had lunch here, with 2 courses, for less than 25 euro including a full bottle of wine. The menu is written on a blackboard with the daily selections. There is a small outside patio and an even smaller inside dining room. You can’t beat the food or the price in Rome.

The atmosphere on this lively piazza where a food market happens every day until 2 is also fun to browse through.