Rome for Beginners helps newcomers get the most out of the Eternal City, while providing valuable practical advice to make your move as stress-free as possible!
Allora, siete pronti a fare come fanno i romani? Cominciamo!
So, are you ready to do as the Roman's do? Let's get started!
Available on Amazon Kindle for US$5.99 Available in paperback from Amazon for US$9.50! Are you planning (or dreaming) of living in Rome? Making the big move is a great adventure, but can also be a bit daunting. Imagine sipping a cappuccino outside your local coffee bar each morning, shopping for produce at Campo de' Fiori market, or eating a thin-crust wood-fired pizza at one of Rome's many pizzerie. Rome for Beginners will help get you there! Rome for Beginners guides you, step by step, through setting up a new life in one of the world's most exciting (and overwhelming) cities. From some essential preparations and mastering the basics, to finding work, dealing with Italian bureaucracy and handling Culture Shock - Rome for Beginners has plenty of practical advice and resources to help you feel at home in Rome. The guide also has handy information on teaching English in Rome, in order to fund your dream! Moving to Rome? The following seven tips will make moving easier: 1. Choose the time of year wisely Depending on your plans, the time of year you arrive in Rome matters. If you’d like a long summer break before working then June is a good choice. For those wanting to job hunt, September/October or January/February are better. 2. Learn some Italian before you go This might seem elementary, but you would be amazed how many English-speaking foreigners move to Italy without more than ten words of Italian – and then complain about how hard life is! Remember that becoming fluent in and mastering a language takes patience, dedication and time. This brings me to the third piece of advice… 3. Be prepared to feel stupid most of the time You are about to embark on a massive learning curve. Be prepared not to understand basic language and cultural differences, to stand bemused while everyone laughs at a simple joke that you did not understand a word of, and to get a knotted stomach at the thought of using your newly acquired Italian on the phone. 4. Organise your first few weeks’ accommodation in advance Organising a place to stay in advance will make your move a lot less stressful. Just the knowledge that you have a room booked for a few weeks, while you orientate yourself, will make you feel as though you already have a ‘home’ in Rome. 5. Plan your finances A common error (and one that I have repeatedly made!) is moving to a new city without enough cash. Money, and struggling to survive financially, is one of life’s great stressors. Believe me – because I have lived it – trying to make a life for yourself in Rome, while having nightmares about how you are going to afford groceries this week, will quickly sap all the enjoyment out of life. 6. Make sure you have the right documentation Apart from the obvious of having a valid passport, make sure you are able to live and work in Italy. Find out if you will need a Permit of Stay (Permesso di Soggiorno) to reside in Italy and what visas are available for those without an EU passport. 7. Pack lightly! They have shops in Italy. This means that you do not need to pack ten bottles of your favourite shampoo – because they probably stock it in Italian supermarkets! The old adage of taking half of what you initially intended to pack, and twice the money, is as true as ever. Want more details on all of the above? Rome for
Beginners has them! Chapter Outline - Rome for Beginners Preface - Why Rome? Rome is undoubtedly one of the world's great cities - but why should you move there? Chapter One - Before you go A little planning can save you a lot of stress and frustration further down the track - this chapter is dedicated to getting the ground-work done before you head off on your Roman adventure. Chapter Two - The Basics This chapter covers the basics that will ensure you settle into your new home and get the necessary details out of the way as soon as possible. Chapter Three - Learning the language Learning some Italian before you go will make settling in and integration much easier. This chapter provides you with information about where to study Italian in Rome and how to ensure you get the most out of your language learning. Chapter Four - Finding somewhere to live Accommodation will be your largest expense in Rome and there are a lot of important decisions to be made when deciding what type of accommodation to choose and where to live. This chapter helps you navigate the minefield. Chapter Five - Getting a job Unless you are retiring to Rome, most of us have to start looking for work sooner or later. This chapter gives you an overview of working in Rome for an expat's perspective. Chapter Six - Teaching English Rome Teaching English is the obvious choice for many native English speakers moving abroad. This chapter gives those thinking about teaching in Rome a detailed introduction to the profession, as well as tips about getting qualified and finding work. Chapter Seven - Getting around Rome Although Rome's centre is compact and great for walking, navigating the rest of the city easily can be a challenge. This chapter gives you all the options for getting around Rome. Chapter Eight - Dealing with Culture Shock & Integrating Many expats underestimate the stress of moving to a new culture. Even if you love your new home, be prepared to undergo culture shock within the first eighteen months. This chapter outlines the symptoms of culture shock and how to address them. Chapter Nine - Exploring Rome Part of the joy of living in a city like Rome is exploring it. This chapter provides you with some highlights - not to be missed! Conclusion - Staying on? Have you been in Rome for a couple of years now and can't bear the thought of leaving? You're not alone! Resources and Appendices A detailed list of books and internet resources for moving to and living in Rome.
| La Cucina Italiana - Italian Cookery books, booklets and articlesSecrets to Easy Bread and Pizza-making Learn the tricks to making fantastic, crusty bread and thin-crust Italian-style pizza – every time! This short book will teach you the secrets to delicious, crusty bread every time; including a basic 'no-knead' loaf recipe that is ridiculously easy to make and even easier to eat! It also teaches you how to make specialty breads such as Ciabatta, Focaccia, Challah (egg bread braids), Walnut Bread and Filascetta (Italian ring-shaped loaf topped with red onion and cheese). This guide also shows you how to make thin-crust Italian-style pizza with authentic toppings. Bread-making should be easy, and it should fit in with our lifestyles. It's more than a fun hobby, it's a life skill that the whole family can get involved in. Over 70 mouth-watering Italian recipes for classic
starters, pasta, risottos, meat and vegetable dishes, and desserts. The fresh flavours, simplicity and comfort of Italian food, have made it one of the world’s most popular cuisines. When Samantha Charlton moved to Rome in 1998, she fell in love with the city’s vibrancy, beauty, history and sunshine – but also with the food. From thin-crust pizzas blasted in wood-fired ovens and Roman specialties like deep-fried zucchini flowers stuffed with mozzarella, to gusty pasta sauces and flavourful meat dishes – Rome’s cuisine was the beginning of a long love affair for Samantha, and one that still continues. She spent a decade living and working in the Eternal City, as well as two years in Spoleto, Umbria. This recipe book is the culmination of years of exploration and experimentation with Italian cuisine. Upon returning to New Zealand, Samantha decided to bring a little of her Italian life back with her. From 2009 to 2012, she taught Italian cooking classes in Dunedin – a coastal city on New Zealand’s South Island. Over the following three years, she taught a series of four-course meals; showing students how to make their own fresh egg pasta, intensely flavoured sauces, and a range of delicious starters and meat dishes. She introduced her students to cooking chicken, beef, lamb and fish Italian-style, and to taking a fresh approach to preparing vegetables. Her recipes are easy to follow and focus on fresh, seasonal produce and simple flavours. Students shared in preparing the meal around a table, while learning the tips and techniques of Italian cooking. Afterwards they enjoyed dining together and chatting about their efforts with a glass of wine. In this way, the students were able to enjoy the full Italian dining experience. Now you can too!Italian Christmas Cakes & Sweets Available on Amazon Kindle for US$0.99! A booklet that introduces you to Christmas baking Italian-style and five
delicious seasonal cake and sweet recipes that will put a sparkle in
your festive season! How to Make Mascarpone Available on Amazon Kindle for US$0.99! Now also available on Smashwords for US$0.99! An article (977 words) about the origins of one of Italy’s most decadent cheeses – and how to make it. It's much easier than you would believe, and so much cheaper than the supermarket brands! The article includes:
______________________________________________________________________ Italian Cooking with Walnuts & Almonds Available on Amazon Kindle for US$0.99 Now also available on Smashwords for US$0.99! The importance of walnuts & almonds in Italian cuisine – plus five delicious recipes! This booklet tells the story of why walnuts and almonds are adored by Italians - and shares some well-tested and much loved recipes: from a rich walnut pasta sauce to Torta Caprese, a rich chocolate cake made with ground almonds. |
