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Published: September 14th 2007
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Ciao from Roma!! This is our first entry, we didn't find a internet hook up right away. Rome is everything that I could have imagined and more! What an incredible city! Everywhere you turn there is another site that takes your breath away. The food is also absolutely incredible, everything is so fresh and delicious!!! I am putting up a few pictures, and will be able to write more tomorrow when we arrive in Tuscany, bye for now! M.
p.s. I have included a entry from Stan aka Dad and Granpa, enjoy!
Good Day to Everyone:
We have been remiss in not doing our blog much sooner. This is Friday, our last full day in Rome. Wayne and Michele are off to organize some final arrangements for the next phase of our journey, the Tuscany Leg.
We have had a “very full and enjoyable” 5 days -- if you count to-day, Friday, Sep 14th. Day one is certainly not routine!!! Our arranged Pick-Up from the airport (we arrived circa 08:00) was on time and promptly delivered us to our apartment -- located centrally right in the midst of Ancient Rome. We are on the top floor, the 5th floor,
overlooking a good deal of the Ancient portion of Rome -- I said a “good deal”, not all of it, of course, We can see St. Peters, King Victor Emmanuel’s Monument, and many other items of interest, all right from the balcony of our apt.
However; that is the good news --- back to some not so good, especially at the time. When we arrived at the door of our apt., it was locked of course, and the person who was supposed to be there to meet us, WAS NOT!!! Our cab driver phoned the contact and Wayne spoke with him -- but with no satisfaction!! It was now about 08:30; we had our luggage; we had no where to leave it; AND the apt. was not going to become available until about noon!!! Off we go --- dragging our luggage. The Spanish Steps, (one of renown tourist spots) is only about ¾ km from us fortunately; we went there, arriving before any sane tourist!! Question is>> how long can we enjoy the Spanish Steps when we are worrying about access to our apt???
What to do?? If all else fails, have breakfast. Turned out to be a fine idea.
We walked down the street and tasted our first cup of Italian Coffee!! We drank it!! I think Wayne may have enjoyed his>>???JJJ
We return to wait in front of our door -- not on the 5th floor, but the street access door. About noonish Wayne observes someone leaving the apt. ~~ and just prior to that, Michele had been successful at making contact by telephone with the individual who was the agent so to speak.
Back to the “someone leaving” the apt. Turns out it was a family from Wales >> at least we can
communicate with them. It seems that they too had experienced some difficulty with the agent. We all sit down to lunch at an Outdoor Café, (all cafes our outdoors) right across from our apt. In co-operation with the family from Wales, we negotiate with the agent, some items within the apt which needed immediate attention. WE then “moved in”; about 13:30 >> not quite, we were only able to move in our luggage as the cleaning had not been completed >> in fact the cleaning had not begun. What to do in the interim?? must have been about 15:00 hrs by that time.
Too
keyed up to sleep --- remember we have now been up the entire night. As it turned out, we all went about 27 hours without sleep. We have many maps; we have many things to see >> so off we go a walking!! Our walk lasted about 2 hours plus; we experienced many sites; >> we took a zillion pix; our furthest point was the huge statute of Italy’s first King >> King Victor Emmanuel. On our return we stopped by Trevi (sp) Fountain >> took Lois’s pix tossing the coin to make the WISH.
Before commenting on our fist Dinner, a comment about the people >> the # and variety of people. I actually believe there indeed be more tourist on the streets than natives!!!! There are thousands and thousands!! (That holds true only in the area we frequent >> natch) When you see some of the pix, you will immediately understand what we mean in this regard.
Ok, back to winding up that first >> AND very long first day. We return to the Spanish Steps >> this time they were as populated with people >> as they had been devoid of people in the early morning. And
the later it gets in the day >> up to about 22:00, the greater the crowd that gathers by the Fountain and on the Steps. It is now time to enjoy Dinner. Cafes with tables on the street >> I mean it, on the street. The cafes seem to be permitted to extend their domain as the evening approaches. Such cafes are abundant!!! Scooters and small cars continue to negotiate these same streets and one often wonders how injury is avoided. WE wait a few minutes to be seated and order our wine. Lois had Veal Scapoloni in lemon. She said it was the greatest!! (I will have to ask her what she ordered for me >> but it was good >> very good. >> little humour there for the family) Just checked with Lois and she advises that both Wayne and I had Veal Cutlet!!! Not sure what Michele had >> but it looked quite appealing!!
We get back to our apt about 22:30, chat for a while and hit the pit!!
TUESDAY, the 11th. Up early (not too); Wayne and I hike back >> about 3 city blocks to a grocery store we saw on our evening walk. We have a great breakfast on our 5th floor balcony!! To-day we are going to the Vatican to give some of our money to the Pope!!
I think I will tell that story separately, that is, in a separate file.
I should also add that up to Friday a.m., 10:30, as I type this, I have not been able to find time to check my E-mail. Will perhaps be able to do so to-day. Stan, Dad, and Gramps for the 4 of us!!! 2007 09 14 10:30
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Leigha
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Wow sounds like a very nice first few days. I'm sure the food was rich rich rich! I enjoyed the food in France, like Michele said about the Italian food, all very fresh and delicious. Looking forward to the pictures -- do you think you will post them on here, or just print them off when you get home and have a paper album to show? Anyway enjoy your next week -- I am very jealous! :)