I ASK YOU TALK: The American Rock 'n' Roll RAWKS in Rome

Hey! It's been a couple of months since a post, but I'm back online and on the street. I had a pretty sour October, which put me in a mini-funk and mostly MIA, but for the most part, it's behind me now. I'm feeling refreshed, after a week + of vacation, parental pampering, and a few gallons of white table wine.

I spent 3 tiny days in breathtaking Rome the early part of last week to burn some vacation days, catch up with the Karmachaya family (whom I hadn't seen since graduation!!), and get into a little bit of trouble with my bestie, A Plus, and her friend, BigBon, from college. While there, I became obsessed with the following:

• Pasta, pasta, and more pasta
• Nuns, but more so priests (see below)
• Cobblestone streets, bridges, and fountains
• Ridiculously thin Italians eating extremely carby meals

One night, after a 5 hour dinner and 3 liters of wine, the three of us were ready to turn in when we noticed a smoky crowd loitering outside the "best" rock 'n' roll bar in town, Big Star. Inside was a *super* enthusiastic DJ yelling "I love American Rock N Roll!" so we decided to stay for a beer (and strangely enough they had bottles of Brooklyn Lager for 4 euros).

Thanks to some liquid courage, I attempted to ask the locals some random questions about America using the five words I knew in italiano. It didn't really work, so A Plus and BigBon stepped in as my expert translators.

Name: Emanuele
Age: 28 years
Favorite American Rock 'n' Roll band? System of a Down
Have you ever kissed an American? No, not yet. But I like all girls - Italian, American, Asian (ed: not sure if he said this for me?)
Other interesting facts about him: He doesn't drink that much because he is training for an Ironman, and he likes to take serious photos.

Name: Martina

Age: 24 years

Favorite American Band? Pearl Jam. Eddie Vedder is beautiful!

Have you ever kissed an American? One moment please...no, but maybe I would. Wait. I don't know if I would.

Other interesting facts about her: She is friends with Emanuele.

Name: Gabriele

Age: 22 years

Favorite American Band? Red Hot Chili Peppers

Have you ever kissed an American? Si, Lynn Frasier. She lives here, but she might be from Washington D.C.

Other interesting facts about him: His friends were being haters because I kept speaking Spanish.

OK, this wasn't my best effort, but I'm rusty after a 2 month hiatus so cut me some slack. I promise the next one will be better.