Exploring the neighbourhood

The last three days we have spent exploring our neighbourhood and more is being revealed each day.  It is always an adventure as you never know what you are going to find around the corner or thru a doorway, but, it will almost certainly be something more than you expected.  Such was our experience yesterday.  We walked into a store called "Aqua & Sapone"  literally, water and soap.  On entering, it looked like a 12 X 20 foot store with mainly female facial care products, but the further you went, the more that was revealed.  It was like entering a tardus.  Aisles went this way and that, as you progressed deeper and deeper into the store.  It truly was a water and soap store as every manner of cleaning product for body, home, pets, cars, etc. could be found here.

Along with stores that we have found, we also have found all manner of little street markets close at hand.  Some are food markets, some clothes markets, some selling a variety of home goods.    Again, every manner of item can be found here.  Today, we found a hugh food market, just mear blocks from our apartment.  There were 152 food stalls.  Across the street was a market that sold mostly clothing, shoes and fabrics - another 34 stalls.  Of this particular market, I loved the fabric stalls, because they were primarily African and Indian fabrics, beautiful Sari cloths and all manner of exquisitely  embroidered cloth.  I resisted buying today but am certain that I will be making some fabric purchases before I leave.  I did not inquire about the Indian fabrics, but the African cottons were 2 Euros a meter.  I know they sell for about $20 a meter at home.

The weather has remained incredible, in the low 20's and no rain.  Some evenings we go out for a typical Italian "passeggiata", evening stroll.  Here is a sign that I noted one evening that gave me a giggle.

And I always thought it was Draft beer - I guess it's all in the translation

Santa Maria Maggiori during our evening passeggiata

This is the best time to really see the mosaics in the upper gallery

as they are in shade during the day

Below are pictures from the big food market we attended today.  There were a lot of ethnic foods available here, as well, because the Esquilino area that we are in is very much a multi ethic area.

Meats of every kind can be found, beef, veal, pork, lamb, rabbit, chicken, duck;

all manner of fruits and vegetables;

oysters, clams, snails, periwinkles, and ????;

fish, every shape, size and color;

all variety of rice, beans, lentils;

colorful, flavourful, fragrant spices;

olives of every kind;

more seafood, shellfish, even salmon;

feet, heart, lungs, spleen, tongue, liver, tripe, brains, tail, everything but the "squeal"!