Giovanna gave me incomplete directions to her apartment; when I was at the train / metro station, her directions said her apartment was near. It took an hour to find someone to tell me her apartment was miles away, needed a bus or two to get there. I gave up and found a hotel. Bad experience.

Anna was a generous and helpful hostess. She picked me up at TIburtina station and drove me to her apartment in a neighbourhood I wasn't familiar with. When I was planning my research and exploration, she wrote detailed notes with metro / bus numbers and directions to destinations. She also helped with Italian expressions since I'm trying to master basic conversation for ongoing research. I especially enjoyed early mornings and evenings relaxing on her balcony, sipping coffee in the AM and vino in the PM. Her mother, Antonia, was friendly and eager to see if I needed anything such as laundry, an important issue since I pack light for long trips and need clothes washed every couple days.