17 more days...

We have a winner! We have a winner! We have a winner!

Mo is going to try to see the most sites in Rome. She (and by default Mike) will be seeing: The Roman Forum, Sistine Chapel, The Pantheon, St. Peter's Basilica, Trevi Fountain, The Colosseum, Vatican City, St. Peter's Square, Palatine Hill, Capitoline Hill, view from dome of St. Peter's, Circus Maximus, Arch of Constatine and the Arch of Septimus Severus.  Followed closely behind Mo is Karen who not only is going to see a large majority of those sites, Karen has said (reading betwee the lines that is) she will be taking Ken and Cindy to the Cat Sanctuary.

Three of us have said we are most looking forward to see the Colosseum (Mike, Mo and Janet).  I could have wagered money on what Karen would say she was most interested in seeing -- Trevi Fountain.  While I'd like to be hanging with Karen at the fountain, Ken and I are hanging with Dad. To the  question, what are you most looking forward to in Rome, Dad answered Wine at Lunch.

On to the first of the two filler questions: who will have nicely manicured nails?  Half of us will and half will not.  While it is probably very easy to guess, I'll provide the answer.  Mom of course will, Karen probably will, and Michael was very smart by getting his done yesterday.  Mo said his 'dark eggplant' colored toe nails are to-die-for.

As always we end the survery with an open ended question: anything else to add.  Instead of picking a single item, there were three precious answers:

Mo:

I want to get one of those tacky photos with a gladiator!

Karen:

Rome is sure to be an action-packed-fun-filled day! This is the one place I hope to buy a remembrance token from our trip...something special and uniquely Italian...maybe a small piece of jewelry - like a silver cross necklace.

Dad:

Best not have too much wine at lunch.

That's all for this edition folks. See ya'll in Rome!

18 more days...

Cruising with Cyn
Collection of useless information circuitous to the OPERATION: Poisson Rouge Adventure.


Rome (Rome baby!) is the second stop on our European adventure. 

There is just an absolutely huge list of things to see in Rome.  Explore the Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain and other wonders of this ancient city. Picture the gladiators and their chariots on an interior tour of the Colosseum. Bask in the glory of Vatican City, with an inside look at St. Peter's Square, St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museum and the magnificent Sistine Chapel. See like I said so many really great options in Rome.  Ya'll know what Rome has to offer - onto the survey before my head pops off. 


See you in Rome!

64 more days...

Cruising with Cyn
Collection of useless information circuitous to the OPERATION: Poisson Rouge Adventure.

This 6 week installment of Cyn's Cinema, we will be exploring movies that have been filmed in the regions we will be visiting. Take some time off from your everyday life and watch a movie with scenes from Barcelona, Naples, Rome, Florence, Nice and Toulon.

Let us know if you've seen any of these movies and what your thoughts are.

Title	Year	Genre	IMDb Rating	Staring
When in Rome	2010	Comedy, Romance	5.2	Kristen Bell, Josh Duhamel, Anjelica Huston
Synopsis:	Beth is a young, ambitious New Yorker who is completely unlucky in love. However, on a whirlwind trip to Rome, she impulsively steals some coins from a reputed fountain of love, and is then aggressively pursued by a band of suitors
Sightings:	Rome, Lazio, Italy
Thoughts:	I think I remember a commercial recently for this.
Angels & Demons	2009	Mystery, Thriller	6.7	Tom Hanks, Ewan McGregor
Synopsis:	Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon works to solve a murder and prevent a terrorist act against the Vatican.
Sightings:	Biblioteca Angelica, Rome, Lazio, Italy Piazza Navona, Rome, Lazio, Italy Piazza del Popolo, Rome, Lazio, Italy Rome, Lazio, Italy Royal Palace, Caserta, Campania, Italy St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City The Pantheon, Piazza della Rotonda, Rome, Lazio, Italy Vatican City
Thoughts:	We should watch this movie again.
U-571	2000	Action, Drama, War	6.4	Matthew McConaughey, Bill Paxton, Harvey Keitel, Jon Bon Jovi
Synopsis:	In the midst of World War II, the battle below the seas rages. The Nazi's have the upper edge as the Allies are unable to crack their war codes. That is, until a wrecked U-boat sends out an SOS signal, and the Allies realise this is their chance to seize the 'enigma coding machine'. But masquerading as Nazi's and taking over the U-boat is the smallest of their problems. The action really begins when they get stranded on the U-boat. Synopsis written by Filmtwob {webmaster@filmfreak.co.za}
Sightings:	Interiors are from Rome, Lazio, Italy
When in Rome (Mary Kay and Ashley Olsen)	2002	Comedy, Family	3.5	Ashley Olsen, Mary-Kate Olsen
Synopsis:	Leila and Charly Hunter are in Rome to participate in a Summer Intern Program. After they begin their jobs, they are immediately fired due to careless mishaps. But Derek Hammond, who owns the company, decides to re-instate Leila and Charly. But while in Rome, Leila and Charly find true romance that will take them joyriding to see the sights throughout the city of Rome. Written by Shaun Ouimette {xtreemshaun589@hotmail.com}
Sightings:	Rome, Lazio, Italy
Thoughts:	I heard this is one of Mike and Ken's favorite movies.
European Vacation	1985	Adventure, Comedy	5.7	Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo
Synopsis:	The Griswalds win a vacation to Europe on a game show, and thus pack their bags for the continent. They do their best to catch the flavor of Europe, but they just don't know how to be be good tourists. Besides, they have trouble taking holidays in countries where they CAN speak the language... Synopsis written by Murray Chapman {muzzle@cs.uq.oz.au}
Sightings:	Bressanone, Bolzano, Trentino - Alto Adige, Italy London, England, UK Paris, France Rome, Lazio, Italy
Thoughts:	Please, who hasn't seen this movie.  This is one of Ken's favs.
Cleopatra	1963	Biography, Drama, History	6.8	Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton
Synopsis:	Epic saga of the legendary Queen's reign from the time Julius Caesar arrived in Egypt until her death some 18 years later. Cleopatra is portrayed as a schemer, firstly to gain control over the Egyptian kingdom from her brother with whom she ruled jointly. Having gained the confidence of Caesar, they become lovers and she bears him the son he never had. Her attempts at ensuring that the boy takes his rightful place in Rome are thwarted when Caesar is assassinated and she flees back to Egypt. Many years later Marc Antony, now responsible for the eastern half of the Roman Empire, seeks an alliance with Egypt. He and Cleopatra become lovers and form a military alliance but are forced to retreat after losing a major naval encounter at Actium. Both eventually take their own lives. Synopsis written by garykmcd
Sightings:	Anzio, Rome, Lazio, Italy Rome, Lazio, Italy
Ben Hur	1959	Action, Adventure, Drama	8.2	Charlton Heston, Jack Hawkins, Haya Harareet
Synopsis:	When a Jewish prince is betrayed and sent into slavery by a Roman friend, he regains his freedom and comes back for revenge.
Sightings:	Anzio, Rome, Lazio, Italy  Cinecittà Studios, Cinecittà, Rome, Lazio, Italy  Folliano, Rome, Lazio, Italy  Lido Marechiaro, Anzio, Rome, Lazio, Italy  Nettuno, Rome, Lazio, Italy  Rock Quarry, Rome, Lazio, Italy  Rome, Lazio, Italy
Three Coins in The Fountain	1954	Romance, Drama	6.2	Clifton Webb, Dorothy Macguire
Synopsis:	In this romantic comedy, three American roommates working in Italy wish for the man of their dreams after throwing coins into Rome's magnificent Trevi Fountain. A secretary at a government agency sets out to win the heart of her employer, a smooth-talking novelist, while her co-worker defies office regulations by romancing an Italian who works at the agency. Finally, office newcomer Maria meets a real Italian Prince Charming and falls madly in love. Now the only thing the three hopeful ladies need to do is seal their fate. Synopsis written by Fiona Kelleghan {fkelleghan@aol.com}
Sightings:	Dolomite Mountains, Italy   Fontana di Trevi, Rome, Lazio, Italy   Merano, Bolzano, Trentino - Alto Adige, Italy  Rome, Lazio, Italy Venice, Veneto, Italy
Roman Holiday	1953	Comedy, Drama, Romance	8.1	Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck
Synopsis:	Princess Anne embarks on a highly publicized tour of Europian capitals. When she and her royal entourage arrive in Rome, she begins to rebel against her restricted, regimented schedule. One night Anne sneaks out of her room, hops into the back of a delivery truck and escapes her luxurious confinement. However, a sedative she was forced to take earlier starts to take effect, and the princess is soon fast asleep on a public bench. She is found by Joe Bradley, an American newspaper reporter stationed in Rome. He takes her back to his apartment. The next morning Joe dashes off to cover the Princess Anne press conference, unaware that she is sleeping on his couch! Once he realizes his good fortune, Joe promises his editor an exclusive interview with the princess. Synopsis written by filmfactsman
Sightings:	Bocca della Verita "Mouth of Truth", Church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, Piazza Bocca della Verita, Rome, Lazio, Italy  Cafe Rocca, Piazza della Rotonda, Rome, Lazio, Italy Castel Sant' Angelo, Rome, Lazio, Italy Cinecittà Studios, Cinecittà, Rome, Lazio, Italy Fontana di Trevi, Rome, Lazio, Italy Piazza Venezia, Rome, Lazio, Italy Piazza del Pantheon, Rome, Lazio, Italy Piazza di Spagna, Rome, Lazio, Italy Rome, Lazio, Italy Spanish Steps, Chiesa di Trinità dei Monti, Rome, Lazio, Italy The Colosseum, Rome, Lazio, Italy Tiber River, Rome, Lazio, Italy Via Margutta 51, Rome, Lazio, Italy Via Margutta, Rome, Lazio, Italy Via dei Fori Imperiali, Rome, Lazio, Italy

106 more days...

Cruising with Cyn
Collection of useless information circuitous to the OPERATION: Poisson Rouge Adventure.

This 6 week installment of Cruising with Cyn, we will be exploring local cuisine from the regions we will be visiting. Ken and I will be preparing a traditional meal from Barcelona, Naples, Rome, Florence, Nice and Toulon. We will be posting the receipe and our review.

There are many different stories about how carbonara came into being. The name probably comes from the Italian word carbone, meaning coal, and people have suggested that it could originally have been a coal miner's dish. Another theory suggests that it was favoured by an Italian secret society called the carbonari. Another theory is that it was made with ingredients, ie eggs and pancetta, which could sometimes be purchased from the same people who delivered your coal. Or, it takes its name from the specks of black pepper which resemble coal dust. Although largely accepted as a Roman dish (perhaps created at the end of World War II as a way of using the American troops' bacon and powdered egg rations) the original carbonara recipe has also been claimed as a 19th century Neapolitan creation.

Spaghetti alla carbonara
Ingredients
1/2 lb chopped bacon or pancetta 1 tablespoon fresh minced garlic 1 lb spaghetti, cooked (do not rinse the cooked spaghetti) 4 large eggs, beaten (can use extra large eggs) 1 pinch salt (or to taste) 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese or romano cheese salt & freshly ground black pepper (to taste) 1-2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley parmesan cheese (to taste)
Instructions
• Whisk the eggs in a bowl with pinch salt; set aside.
• In a large skillet over medium heat cook the bacon until crisp.
• Remove the bacon to paper towels and drain all but about 3 tablespoons fat.
• Add in fresh garlic and saute for about 1 minute.
• Add the bacon back to the skillet along with the cooked pasta; stir/toss for about 1 minute to heat.
• Remove the pan from the heat.
• Add in eggs and mix/whisk vigorously until the eggs thicken but do not scramble.
• Add in the Parmesan cheese.
• Season with salt and black pepper.
• Mound on serving plates then sprinkle a small amount of finely chopped fresh parsley over each bowl.
• Serve with parmesan cheese on the side.
• Serve with a glass of good red wine.

Join us next week when we be making making the Florence classic Beef Tagliata.

155 more days...

Cruising with Cyn
Collection of useless information circuitous to the OPERATION: Poisson Rouge Adventure.

Whoa Rome

We will be arriving in Rome Baby Rome on Wednesday May 26, 2010 the second of five ports of call. Rome Baby Rome!

Fun Facts

According to legend the brothers Romulus and Remus (the founders of Rome) were raised by a she-wolf in a cave on Palatine Hill.

Rome's emblem is the she-wolf suckling the two brothers Romulus and Remus.

A park in Rome is named the "Park of the Monsters." Not because it is a haunted place [cb says Sorry Mike -- it's not r-e-a-l-l-y haunted.]
but because it is full of grotesque figures like a crude Hercules slaying an Amazon and an ogre's face with a mouth so big that people can even walk through it!

Rome has a museum which is entirely dedicated to pasta. The Pasta Museum is a one of its kind around the world and showcases different pasta-making machines, as well as paintings related to pasta by contemporary artist

The Baths of Caracalla although in a bad state now, were once in their prime days spread across 27 acres and could handle 1,600 bathers at any given time. Built in the 3rd century, they are the largest survivors of Rome's imperial era.

Web Bites

Rome is widely regarded as one of the world's most beautiful ancient cities.

It is at its most comfortable from April through June, and from mid-September to October; in particular.

First known picture of a fork comes from Rome. [cb says Wow, now that is good to know.]

Every morning I get up and eagealy await the latest edition of the OPERATION: Poisson Rouge blog. Whether it is Karen's Travel Tips, Mo's wonderful art work or Ken's Saturday Financial Report I love having my morning coffee with you. Another enjoyable experience is reading local newspapers from Europe. Last week I brought attention to how Italy has some of the most expensive condoms - this weeks article is about how police found art work by Van Gogh, Monet, Kandinsky and others - read about it below.
POLICE UNCOVER MORE ART HIDDEN BY EX-PARMALAT CHIEF

Just * The * Facts

Elevation: 10 feet Latitude: 41 48N Longitude: 012 14E
Avg Temp: 63
Avg High: 71
Avg Low: 54
Avg Precipitation: 2
Rome is the capital of Italy, with a population of over 3.5 million.

See you next week on Deck 14 where the cool kids hang.