A regular morning in Rome does not begin without the “stand up espresso or cappuccino” at the local coffee bar, usually accompanied by a cornetto, a sweet, horseshoe shaped pastry; easy to eat, handed to you by the “barista” (the bar man) in a paper serviette. You can grab a table if you want and pay triple or you can be part of the “entire blend” not just the coffee, by standing at the busy bar, part of the local culture, the interaction, where it’s all happening, hearing a string of “buon giorno’s” from the barista’s to the continuous stream of customers; at lighting speed he empties and refills another round metal container with fresh coffee, seamlessly clicking the devise onto the Gaggia…read more