Sunday Morning Rain is Falling

For some odd reason, on Sunday morning I was up and about beginning around 8 AM. This was a huge surprise because I was exhausted from our non-Pompeii day trip. I had been hearing and reading lots of things about the Porta Portese market, which is this huge market that only occurs on Sunday mornings (I have been told that it is comparable to Portabella Market in Notting Hill). Even though all 4 of my roommates were still asleep, and Molly had gone to meet her dad and stepmom at the airport, I decided to venture to the market all on my own. I knew from what I had read that this would be an experience, but nothing could have prepared me for the actual act of going there.

First of all, many of you know that I am incredibly claustrophobic. Talk about having the issue come to light at the least convenient time! I think that I have discovered where the entire city of Rome goes on Sunday morning when all the stores and restaurants are closed - they all go to this 10 block area. Everyone is running into each other while pushing and shoving in hopes of getting the best price on that cashmere sweater of that antique that they just have to have. And this Sunday it was drizzling, so the crowd was even more fun to navigate due to all the open umbrellas!

The items that can be found in this market certainly run the gammet of things. I spent a grand total of 2 euro on an old gold skeleton key (which will be put on a chain and worn around my neck as a necklace), and a felt flower pin that reminded me of something that I bought during my first trip to Israel. Yet, these were only the two things that I decided to buy! I saw everything from bras and underwear to a mini tuxedo for an infant, to old Barbies without their heads, to wooden marionettes, to paintings, to entire booths that only sold buttons. If you were on the hunt for something - this would probably be the place to find it!

So, if you are ever in Rome on a Sunday morning, be sure to join the Romans in their quest for treasures in Porta Portese! You might just find something that could put you on antique roadshow, or make you the talk of your friends (because you bought something funny or something incredibly valuable). Or maybe, this could be the perfect place to find that white elephant gift for the winter season. Whatever your reason for going (people watching included), this is an event that should not be missed!