Birthday 60

We went to St. Peter's today.

This place is huge and we were surprised at how full of tourists it was for February. We strolled through and saw some Bernini's but quite a few were roped off for penance only or prayer only. The Asian tourists are truly out of control with their selfies and having to pose with every work of art. I find it very disrespectful and wonder what they can possibly do with all of those photos. Because we have seen so much of this before and with it being hard for me to take photos one-handed we are taking very few photos. We never have taken a lot of ourselves. Most of my friends know what we look like! We walked towards the river to seek out a restaurant, da Cesare, that we wanted to try. It didn't  open until 12:15 so we hung out at a park and people watched, walked to the river and then went to lunch. It was great. Shaved fennel, artichoke and Parmesan for a starter, salmon ravioli and fettuccine with some kind of meat sauce, Parmesan cheese course and gelato and a shot of espresso. Really nice. Back home for a nap and then to dinner at Target. The food was wonderful but the service was a huge disappointment. Very slow even by Italian standards. Night, night old lady.

Sunday

Decided to make the trip to Ostia Antica today. The weather was not being cooperative with showers and wind and since this is ruins and outside we weren't convinced it was a great idea. We found a ticket office open and got our 3 day transit pass since we will be riding the metro and buses the next few days. Took the metro and then switched to a regional train for the half hour ride. We weren't quite sure about the train but asked a local and he confirmed it. I always like to ask to be sure! It poured all the way there but when we walked through the gate the sun broke through and the birds sang and we were very happy we came. This place was once a thriving port city of 60,000 people founded in 400 BC. There were amazingly preserved baths, stores and mosaics.

After a few hours and a few hundred miles of walking the site we hopped the train back to Rome and got off at the Colosseum.

We were starved so we ate at a tourist trap but my Nicoise really wasn't bad. Gratuity is included here as is 2 euro for bread and 2 euro for water even if it is from the tap. Pelligrino is cheap though. We walked around the Colosseum and then headed back to our apartment. Had snacks for dinner and that was that.

Saturday

Got a late start so we walked to the market that is just down the street from our apartment. Didn't need a thing so we just walked through and drooled.

Went to Republicca and stopped in to see a Basilica Santa Maria Degli Angeli

and the Baths of Diocletian.

Headed to SM Maggiore. Several churches in a church, security line.

Very helpful man pointed us to Bernini's burial site.

Saw a baby just after baptism, lots of photos being taken. Walked back up to Target for lunch. We ate here in 2007 and it was one of our most memorable meals. A wonderful lunch of bruschetta, salad of arugula, corn, fennel and tomatoes, salt cod with tomatoes and capers, linguine with shrimp and leeks, wine, pineapple with lemon sorbet for dessert and an espresso. Made a reservation for my birthday dinner on Monday...same table. Once again service and food excellent. Came home for a siesta. We will finish our deli items for dinner tonight. So far a great trip!

Friday

Walked to the Borghese. So many incredible Bernini works in this beautiful park.

Walked down via Flaminia and a man stopped to ask us directions to a museum we had just passed. With traffic screaming by he asked us where we were from and when we said US he gave us a big thumbs up. Just outside the Etruscan Museum we heard honking and looked over and it was him driving by honking and waving.Enter the Etruscan Museum. We are convinced that Steve was an Etruscan in a previous life. They are still uncovering tombs and whole cities from this period starting 6-700 BC. This place was huge. We grabbed a quick panini for lunch and walked to the Piazza del Popolo. The Porto was Bernini and we tried to go to SM del Popolo but it was closed until 16 so we headed down via  del Corso. Bought some Lush. Very helpful salesman there. Actually the Italians in general are very kind and fun. We got lost ...not our first time...but found Sant' Andrea del Fratte and another Bernini

climbed too many steps and walked too many unnecessary miles and ended up at Trevi Fountain.

Found a great deli where we got olives, salami, cheese, bread and a 7.50 bottle of Chianti...that we are drinking now.

We had those things for dinner last night along with some cookies from the local bakery. I must say that the Gorgonzola was the best I have ever had. Slept well and late.

2.10.2016

A typical Italian story. When we were waiting in line for customs...just really checking and stamping your passport...the Italian guy in front of us was very impatient because the Italian guy at the window was taking so long. He was having a very animated conversation with the customs agent. So when it was the guy in front of us turn he proceeded to have a very long animated conversation with the customs agent. It took us about 30 seconds.

We have already learned to cross the streets at the crosswalks. You just walk out into traffic, don't change your gait and cars just seem to time you and come to a short stop or just barely miss you. If in doubt use a nun, woman with baby carriage or an old couple to run block.

Thursday. We wandered to see our first Bernini's. The most spectacular Ecstasty of St Theresa at SM Della Vittoria.

 Tried to see some others but some sort of demonstration going on. Made our way to SM Sopra Minerva

 around Vittorio Emanuele monument and had a really crappy lunch at a touristy place. Scrambled the eggs in the Carbonara. Really?

 Past the Pantheon and off to the Capitol Museum. Lots of great art works.

 And a nice view from the balcony.

We had dinner at  Ristorante da Giovanni and it was wonderful. Antipasti plate, eggplant parm, fettuccine bolognese, cheese plate, cake, espresso. Perfect server...who we saw today on the street and waved. A great day!

One Long Day

We arrived Rome at the predetermined time. 9:20 pm on Wednesday. So used to one plane change and getting to the destination in the AM. Took 26 hours. We did have a 4 seat row all to ourselves on the long leg from DFW to LHR, watched 'The Martian' and got a little sleep. Met Gea and she walked us through the apartment. Went for pizza and wine at a not very good place. Hit the spot though after so many hours of airport and airplane food. Off to bed!

Blast off!

So I broke my arm on January22nd. I was cleaning the window screens on our north facing garage pad and unbeknownst to me as the water was hitting the concrete it was turning to ice. So yes, I fell,  pretty much full force on my left shoulder. Fractured the humerus. I am in a sling since it was too high up to set. It is starting to heal but everything still takes me twice as long to do. And since I am not a patient person and it is hard for me to ask for help this has been a real learning experience. Steve is getting very good with the blow dryer! We are off today at 4:15 from Tucson and after about 22 hours we will arrive at our apartment in Rome. Can't wait for the adventure to begin.