Our commute from Matera to Rome was similar to the script of the comedy Planes, Trains and Automobiles. It was all due to a “sciopero” (strike) by the Airport Union Workers, but the long commute made for a very rewarding first evening in the Eternal City. We were treated like locals when we arrived at my go-to Roman ristorante where we feasted on endless courses of regional specialties. The first timers ordered Cacio e Pepe or Carbonara, while our Italian friends dove into the animal kingdom portion of the menu. We ended our evening with a walk up and down the deserted Spanish Steps, which doubled as a post dinner digestivo!