When in Rome!

I feel like the next couple days could be summarized with the song "I would walk 500 miles" My poor mother was dragged all over the streets of Rome.  One day, we started at the Spanish Steps

where we planned our next steps through the city,

filled our water at the fountains making a major assumption that it is potable,

threw a coin over our left shoulders while making a wish,

took a symmetrical picture at the pantheon

and bellied up to a street side trattatori.

Luckily Romans do not jump off bridges else we might have done that too!

For those that visit here, beware of the charming fellows that give you roses for free and proclaim what a beautiful family, assuring they don't want anything in return....they return asking for just a few coins, and when they do not get it, steal back the roses and look at you as though you are not the most beautiful person as previously proclaimed.  Preying on good ol' fashion catholic guilt.

On the way into the city, we took the train which is an easy system to get around on.  Plenty of signage that even the directionaly challenged could navigate.

Italian lesson of the day: Successo trenno means successful train ride while trenno successivo means next train.  I should preface this with "I think" cause I am purely going off a google search.

On the way home, however, we took the "back way" to our apartment around the Vatican.  3000' elevation change and 3 miles later, we made it home.  The tourist maps don't include gradients, so beware - the city is not flat!  Wine and cheese on our balcony never tasted so good.  

The next day was full of more seeing of the stone structures and more eating of the amazing food.  By the end of the day, I had history, structure, cheese and just general beauty overload. And maybe a little done with the city life.  For me, Rome is kind of like Las Vegas; good to see the sites for a couple days but quickly get overwhelmed.  It is probably terrible that I made that comparison.  Comparison only in the overwhelmed feeling; Rome is not to be compared with Las Vegas on the beauty, interesting, etc scale. One thing that has not gotten old yet is the vino!  However, we are off to the countryside to see if it is possible. 

Buongiorno Roma!

We have arrived!  After some stunted travels, things seem to have turned around.  American airlines apologized for the delay with some additional frequent flyer miles, the Vatican tour allowed us to reschedule our missed day for Saturday, and I am writing this from the balcony while sipping Italian coffee. 

Our sunglasses are hiding our sleepy state

The first day we arrived was definitely a bust, but plenty of travel guides say the first day is always going to be not your best day. It's probably best that our grand plans of touring the entire Vatican were delayed.  The sleepy haze had us scratching our heads, looking at maps like tourons with a state of confusion, and walking in circles regardless of how much we studied the map or planned logistics.  We really didn't get into the apartment until 4 p.m., so we did not feel too bad about only achieving the rescheduling of the Vatican tour, navigating a cheese parlor with no parla inglese, purchasing some groceries and settling our sleeping arrangements all on indecisive travel brains. 

Imagine dealing with this group of non-native speaking tourons - sorry cheese lady

Day two was mildly better with the sleepy state, and we had enough energy and cognitive abilities to tour the Vatican on a Saturday morning/afternoon.  The travel guides say the worst day to go is Saturday and worst time is in the mornings.  Needless to say, our personal spaces were violated.  But, regardless of circumstance, it is hard not to be in awe of the works of Michelangelo and the many greats that had a part in the building and creations of art in this amazing place.  I was raised Catholic and still learned many things that I probably should have known given the multitude of hours in CCD.  No pope mobile, but peered into his windows from afar and walked through the holy door (gates of mercy). 

Vatican Visiting

Regardless of faith, St. Peter's Bascilica is a must see for everyone in their life. Trying to put this in to words is not going to do it justice, so the only thing I can do with this on my conscience is to say you must go see it for yourself.   Here is just a taste of the art through architecture, sculpting, painting and spirit that we saw yesterday:

We had pizza at a side street restaurant and ended our day with glorious pasta dishes, vino rosso, cappuccino, and tiramisu.  Only mistake was taking the chef's recommendation of Rigatoni con la Pajata. I now know what cow intestine tastes like and know it is not something I would have nor will ever order again. 

Tutti a tavola a mangiare

A domani! Ciao!

To Italy or Bust

We made it!!!!......

Say Italy or Bust.....BUST!!!!!

 ....half way...We all made it to the connection with time to spare and spared it on some airport pub grub...tacos and beers never costed so good.  As we made our way to board, a gate change was the first sign of trouble.  Then the airway being closed for lightening accompanied by an electrical problem on the plane were 2 too many excuses.  1.5 hours later we remain waiting in anticipation. This is turning into more of a bust situation.

Salmon Tacos - who knew?

Word to the wise, if you fly into JFK, read up on the where you need to go in the airport cause signage and information help desks did not steer us correctly.  Luckily we had a sister who had already made her way through the maze.  Transit between terminals is brutal and felt like a NYC subway at rush hour.  Brute force and lack of personal space is the key to navigating this airway.


While we wait, I will introduce the winner and loser of the packing contest.  There is me with one backpack and purse *winner* and *loser* equals Tracy with one backpack, purse, and suitcase.  She claims I will be needing her resources. 

Packing Winner and Loser (from right to left)

And here is American Airline's pity package for our 2 hour delay at this point. 

AA Pity Package

Charging stations are also MIA in our waiting area, so I get .....   

Traveling Csavinas

Csavina Women are taking on Italy!  It is my mother's 70th birthday this year and what way to honor our mother than force her to spend 2 weeks with her daughters in Italy.  We are into cruel and unusual punishment in our family...

Telluride Bluegrass Festival Fun

We are starting in Rome and ending in Bologna with stops along the way, so stay tuned for some female family fun. Sorry Dad and sig others, girls rule and such...