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Published: January 25th 2009
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Well, since we received our sudden announcement that we are coming back to MN so early we had to cancel our families plane tickets to Italy in May! At the last minute we convinced my mom to come visit now so she arrived Friday evening Jan. 16th into Bologna. We knew she was going to be a little tired so we planned an evening at home with my homemade Lasagna Bolognese style and vino for Jason and my mom! The lasagna was a success this time. The first time I made it a couple months ago I screwed up a little!
We didn't let my mom give into jet leg. Saturday we got on a train to Rome where we would be staying until Tuesday.
Our hotel was right next to Trevi Fountain so we got settled and headed to explore the city. We walked to the Pantheon and to see the Vatican at night. It was a beautiful night out. We ate at an outdoor restaurant right outside the Pantheon. It was warm enough with the heaters they have outside. My mom still can't stop raving about the restaurant and the Penne Al Arrabbiata that she ordered! I
think she and Jason finished a whole bottle of wine at dinner, one of many!
Sunday morning we woke up and hopped on a bus tour called Ciao Roma. We took a tour around the city and got off at the Vatican to see the Pope give his blessing at noon. It was really cool to see the Pope from afar in his window. It was amazing that he did the blessing in 6 different languages: Italian, English, French, Spanish, German and Polish! After that we walked to the Vatican Museum to find out that it was closed and so we had to postpone for another day.
We headed to grab a slice of pizza and had the most embarrassing experience! The pizza place was take away or sit down. Everyone walking in and taking pizza away ordered 2 square slices and put them together like a sandwich. So we sat down and ordered 2 slices each to find out when our food was delivered that when you sit down and order 1 pizza you get a platter with 3 square pieces on it! So we were delivered 2 platters each as you can see in the picture!
We felt so stupid and tried our best to hurry and eat as much as we could before too many people saw our table FULL of pizza but still had to get a take away box! We'll never forget that!
Since the museum was closed we went back to San Pietro Basilica to take a look inside. It is huge and amazingly beautiful! Jason walked to the top and captured some great pictures. It is almost 400 stairs up so my mom and I wimped out. The baby has slowed me a down a little so I didn't want to push it! Climbing the 500 stairs to the top of the tower in Bologna the week before wore me out!
That afternoon we went back to our hotel to rest our feet a little after walking so much already. That evening we headed out to find another restaurant near the Spanish Steps area. We made my mom try a typical Bologna dish Tortelinni In Brodo which she wasn't the biggest fan of but she was a trooper. We definitely didn't hold back in the food area while in Rome, we figured we were walking enough to make up
for it!
Monday morning we got up a little earlier than normal to make sure we got to the Vatican Museum before there was a long line. There was no line at all, it was perfect! We were a little worried about traveling in January but it was really nice, not hot and sticky and felt like we had the city to ourselves! We spent most of the morning and early afternoon in the museum and Sistine Chapel.
After the museum we headed to the Colosseum. We decided to give the Metro train a try and it worked out well dropping us off right at the Colosseum. I still can't believe how huge the colosseum is, it seems so surreal looking at it. We made my mom take some pictures with the men dressed up as gladiators outside th colosseum. They were the first of many Italian men to flirt with my mom asking if she was single! It was hilarious and the pictures turned out great!
We joined in on the last English speaking tour of the day that was pretty interesting, at least the guide was entertaining and he again was in love with my
mom and kept speaking directly to her the whole tour! After the tour it was too late to go to the Roman Forum and Palantine hill because it was closed so we planned to come back the next day.
Our last night in Rome we ate outdoors at a Pizzeria. The pizza was pretty good but I still believe that nothing can beat the food in Bologna!
Tuesday morning we woke up for our last day in Rome. By this time my mom was so sore from all the walking but she was a trooper and kept going! We went to the Roman Forum and Palantine hill to explore the ruins, it was pretty amazing. We headed back to our hotel afterwards to get to the train station so we could get back to Bologna at a decent time. The train ride is about 2 hr. 40 min. Tuesday night we ate left over Lasagna and got some rest!!
Wednesday we relaxed around Bologna and then when Jason got home from work we ate at another one of our favorite restaurants, Greek food! We needed a little break from pizza and pasta!
Thursday morning my mom
and I took a train to Florence to do a little purse shopping! We saw the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio and spent most of day at the San Lorenzo leather outdoor market! We had a great time picking out purses, scarves and wallets!
Friday ws my mom's last day so we spent a little time in Bologna so she could see the city we have been living in. We ate lunch at a pizzeria and did a little window shopping, no more purses! Friday night Jason and I took her to another one of our favorite Italian restaurants in Bologna where my mom tried Lasagna Verde and of course celebrated with some more red wine!
Saturday morning my mom flew out from Bologna and made it home safely! It was a great trip and we're glad she was able to get here before we come home on Friday! Can't believe we are already coming home but today Jason and I are organizing our stuff for the moving company to come pack tomorrow! Hopefully we'll see you all soon!
Love..Kristi and Jason
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Deb
non-member comment
YAY!
We are so excited to see you guys (Ok, I'm lying, I'm more excited to see your belly! :) J/K) I know you guys are sad about leaving, but I"m so glad your mom got to come and see you guys and we get to see you so soon! Love you guys...all 3 of you!