I visited this shop back in October while my drawing class and I were looking for a place to go to…read moreget out of the rain. Prior to this day, I had not known the story of La Befana, and as there were many decorations of her in the store, I asked my professor what they were. She explained to me that on January 6, the children in Italy receive little gifts from her (if you are unfamiliar with the story, do look it up). January 6 is my birthday, so I decided to purchase a Christmas stocking. While checking out, my professor came up to the man who was assisting me and she explained that I was born on the feast of the epiphany. Upon hearing this, he gave me a discount and then asked me to close my eyes. Within a few moments he returned and handed me a small item wrapped in tissue paper, and he told me not to open it the day of my birthday. I was very grateful on my birthday to open my little bundle to find a Befana ornament. This encounter as well as the gift reveal months later have reminded me of the kindness and beauty of Rome and it's people, and I miss it very much. Please stop into this shop if you are in Rome, for there are some lovely gifts that you can purchase, and they are all handmade. Grazie mille to the kind people of La Bottega di Mi & Chi.