Valentine’s Day in Rome

So as everyone knows, Monday was Valentine’s Day.  Throughout the week and weekend before this day, it was surprising to NOT see a lot of flowers, cheesy heart balloons, etc., as you at home probably saw.  This was one change, however, that was very welcome. Instead of sitting at home on this unnecessary Hallmark Holiday, my roommates and I had signed up for a cultural exchange at an aperitivo. Aperitivo is sort of like a happy hour, but you go to the restaurant and order a drink, then you are welcome to a sort of buffet-style dinner. This aperitivo was located at a cute little café called La Bohemian. This was a cozy but charming little place with a library room full of shelves of books, and a bar area with the walls covered in (for only that day I assume) cheesy paintings about love and hearts. When we got there, there were students from a university here in Rome ready to practice their English, and waiting for us to practice our Italian (and what little of it I can speak). Despite the language barrier, it was really interesting to sit and talk and eat with people our age about places we've traveled, how we like Rome, etc. etc. It was a no-pressure way to meet new “local” people. Throughout the night we forgot about the day being the super-Americanized feaux-holiday, and just had a little fun on a Monday with some Romans. 


xoxo Erica