Geoff and I are finally sitting down to a late lunch at this awesome cafe I found on an online non tourist site. We spent this morning and early afternoon ambling about the Colosseum and the Roman forum. When I say amble, I really mean it, too. I have been married to Geoff for almost 25 years and learn something new every day! I had no idea that Geoff likes to read all the information posted by the museum, for example. No idea!!! I have to confess that this being my second visit to Rome and teaching Latin and Roman history gives me a bit of an edge when it comes to knowing what I am looking at. But, really, some of this stuff is eye glazing. But....what the heck. We are spending quality time and it really is fun seeing things through his eyes. Like taking kids on trips, I learn to see through another lens, if your will. For someone as driven as me, it is good to slow down and really see what is around me.
As for this cafe...it is smashing! It is hidden away on a side street and offers the best American jazz music and the best eggplant parmigiana. Add cappuccinos and melt in your mouth chocolate cake with pears and walnuts......benissimo! It is a great place to relax, check the Internet,and watch the real Roman world go by.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Wednesday morning in Rome!
It is 7:30 am and the sun is rising over the ancient city of Rome. Church bells are ringing out over the city, not sure why at this hour. It may be that there is Mass as the Lateran Basiloca, nearly next door. Today we plan to do the Colosseum, Palatine, and Fora this morning, then the Fountains and Spanish Steps this afternoon. While we were graced by Caterina's presence yesterday, she has finals and final partying this afternoon, so won't see her until tomorrow.
I was dead tired last night. And couldn't even write my entry without starting to doze off. Our flight to Rome was uneventful, the airplane a typical Alitalia one, a little worn around the edges but with great food, and funny Italian movies. We caught maybe two hours of sleep on the plane, so grabbed a quick hour of a cat nap at the hotel before meeting Caterina at the Pantheon at one. She took us in tow and we bought panini and ate at the Argentine Square after touring the Pantheon. From there we took the ATAC to Trastevere where we walked up 306 stairs- yes, I thought I would die, before reaching Ctaerina's apartment where we walked up 5 more flights to her abode! That was definitely the exercise part of the program!
At the apartment we met her delightful roommates and spent a pleasant hour or so learning more about their semester and how they are all very sad to be leaving this beautiful place. From there Caterina brought us to the Janiculum where we gazed upon the vista o f the city below and caut the sunset. She showed us where to catch the bus to the Colosseum where we were supposed to find a connection to our hotel. 30 minutes of waiting and no bus later, Geoff and I made the long traipse back to the hotel to catch some free, cold pizza in the lounge with a glass of red wine then off to a total collapse and long sleep at 8:30 pm. It is now 8 am and sleeping beauty continues to snore! It is time to get up and get going as it is a sunny, warm (66 degree) day here in the eternal city!
Will post later today! Ciao.
I was dead tired last night. And couldn't even write my entry without starting to doze off. Our flight to Rome was uneventful, the airplane a typical Alitalia one, a little worn around the edges but with great food, and funny Italian movies. We caught maybe two hours of sleep on the plane, so grabbed a quick hour of a cat nap at the hotel before meeting Caterina at the Pantheon at one. She took us in tow and we bought panini and ate at the Argentine Square after touring the Pantheon. From there we took the ATAC to Trastevere where we walked up 306 stairs- yes, I thought I would die, before reaching Ctaerina's apartment where we walked up 5 more flights to her abode! That was definitely the exercise part of the program!
At the apartment we met her delightful roommates and spent a pleasant hour or so learning more about their semester and how they are all very sad to be leaving this beautiful place. From there Caterina brought us to the Janiculum where we gazed upon the vista o f the city below and caut the sunset. She showed us where to catch the bus to the Colosseum where we were supposed to find a connection to our hotel. 30 minutes of waiting and no bus later, Geoff and I made the long traipse back to the hotel to catch some free, cold pizza in the lounge with a glass of red wine then off to a total collapse and long sleep at 8:30 pm. It is now 8 am and sleeping beauty continues to snore! It is time to get up and get going as it is a sunny, warm (66 degree) day here in the eternal city!
Will post later today! Ciao.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Anyone want to buy a boat?
Rather than continue packing or thinking about packing, the day was spent having our boat "Catnip" pulled out of the water, driven to my yard, and shrink wrapped. That's right..they shrink wrap boats. So.....I have just decided that if Geoff forgets anything, oh well.....I will make sure he has his tickets and his passport. But it is somewhat tempting to see what would happen if he forgot them! Twenty five years of this my friends, 25 years.....gotta love the guy. I should have made that bet with him. :)
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Making progress
Today, Geoff actually spent a concentrated amount of time deciding what to pack and what else he needed to buy. He went to Lamey Wellehan's and bought a nice pair of Clarke's shoes that actually passed his sister Susan's "metro Euro" test. ( Susan having lived in Europe for a couple of years.) At lunch with all 4 sisters, we learned more tips for travel. Susan lived in Europe, Janet travels there frequently for Amnesty, Ruth was in the Peace Corps in Poland, and Laura has travelled there. They had all sorts of advice, mostly helpful, and Geoff took it all in. It is much better to hear from someone other than me!
Upon our return home, Geoff started to sort through the pile on the bed (see previous photos) and some pieces have actually made it into the suitcase! Then it was off to clean guns, hang wreaths, and monkey with the boat trailer as the boat is being hauled out and shrink wrapped tomorrow am. He is now out on a fire call and I am not sure what is for dinner as I have been emptying the refrigerator in anticipation of the two week absence.
I wonder when he will finish the packing? My bet? Tomorrow night....late! Stay tuned! We leave the house Monday am.....LOL
Upon our return home, Geoff started to sort through the pile on the bed (see previous photos) and some pieces have actually made it into the suitcase! Then it was off to clean guns, hang wreaths, and monkey with the boat trailer as the boat is being hauled out and shrink wrapped tomorrow am. He is now out on a fire call and I am not sure what is for dinner as I have been emptying the refrigerator in anticipation of the two week absence.
I wonder when he will finish the packing? My bet? Tomorrow night....late! Stay tuned! We leave the house Monday am.....LOL
Friday, November 25, 2011
Packing
Pictures of Geoff
The morning after...
...Thanksgiving and I am tired. Geoff was up and out for a 6 am shift at the fire department and I have been working since 8 am getting loose ends tied up. As always, all hell breaks loose when I am trying to leave, but that is OK as it means properties being put under contract!
I was hoping to post pictures of Geoff in his new Euro look, but it seems my fake SIM card is thoroughly jammed in the portal in my Dell. This is not good. I don't dare stick anything in there as I will probably electrocute myself. Online tech sites talk about putting superglue on an old credit card and letting it stick to the card to pull it out. I may give that a try. Otherwise, I need to bring my SIM from the Nikon up to the fire station and download to Picasa from Geoff's Mac. This will give him more ammo for having me take his old Mac so he can buy a new one. Oh sure! He just bought a new IPAD running a similar scam on me! LOL......
So......stay tuned.....for further updates....
I was hoping to post pictures of Geoff in his new Euro look, but it seems my fake SIM card is thoroughly jammed in the portal in my Dell. This is not good. I don't dare stick anything in there as I will probably electrocute myself. Online tech sites talk about putting superglue on an old credit card and letting it stick to the card to pull it out. I may give that a try. Otherwise, I need to bring my SIM from the Nikon up to the fire station and download to Picasa from Geoff's Mac. This will give him more ammo for having me take his old Mac so he can buy a new one. Oh sure! He just bought a new IPAD running a similar scam on me! LOL......
So......stay tuned.....for further updates....
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving!
What a beautiful day! The frost is most definitely on the pumpkin and the turkeys are out looking for their corn in the yard. I look at the bed in Caterina's room piled high with clothes and all the stuff that needs to make it into one remaining suitcase and one small carry on and I despair! While I have most of my things already packed and sorted, Geoff's stuff is all over the place. Imagine that!
As mentioned in his own post, I put my foot down on blue jeans and Scarborough Fire Department shirts accompanying us to the major capitals of Europe. So off we trotted to Geoff's favorite clothing store..Sam's Club, I kid you not!......and purchased some very nice Ralph Lauren sweaters, black pants and black polo shirts. (Yup, Lauren Polo) I happened to find two "roll them up into a small pack" down jackets for Caterina and I for chilly Paris and London and three bottles of wine for the party at Nancy's. Leaving behind more money than I like to donate to WalMart, Geoff looks quite spiffy I must say! I will post a picture for your viewing pleasure when I figure out how to do that.
And so, we munch on breakfast and make plans for the 12:15 ferry to Peaks where we will eat at the best kept Thanksgiving secret in town---the Inn at Peaks. Shoreside we will meet up with the MacLean clan, many of whom are flying in today, for another round of food and drink.
I give thanks for life and all its blessings. I will tackle Geoff's pile on the bed tomorrow.
As mentioned in his own post, I put my foot down on blue jeans and Scarborough Fire Department shirts accompanying us to the major capitals of Europe. So off we trotted to Geoff's favorite clothing store..Sam's Club, I kid you not!......and purchased some very nice Ralph Lauren sweaters, black pants and black polo shirts. (Yup, Lauren Polo) I happened to find two "roll them up into a small pack" down jackets for Caterina and I for chilly Paris and London and three bottles of wine for the party at Nancy's. Leaving behind more money than I like to donate to WalMart, Geoff looks quite spiffy I must say! I will post a picture for your viewing pleasure when I figure out how to do that.
And so, we munch on breakfast and make plans for the 12:15 ferry to Peaks where we will eat at the best kept Thanksgiving secret in town---the Inn at Peaks. Shoreside we will meet up with the MacLean clan, many of whom are flying in today, for another round of food and drink.
I give thanks for life and all its blessings. I will tackle Geoff's pile on the bed tomorrow.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Countdown to Italy....and France and England!
Last year,my daughter Caterina made the decision to attend classes in Rome, Italy for the Fall trimester. While I was sad to have her far across the Atlantic from me, I quickly decided that I was going to go visit her. Even more rapidly, this evolved into a 25th wedding anniversary gift for my husband, Geoff, and I, and spread across the Continent to include Paris and London. How cool! A mini Tour, just like the old days when people would pack their trunks and wander the capitals of Europe for months at a time! Regretfully, all,we can spare is two weeks. Ah, but what a two week adventure this may be! Think about this -Geoff on tour....Geoff in museums....Geoff dawdling at a long lunch,wineglass in hand, philosophizing on the meaning of life.......hmmmm.....no bees, no fire engines, no TRELG, no puttering around. This will be an adventure!
Tune in often as I chronicle Geoff's introduction to foreign lands.....I promise it will be fun. :)
What can Geoff wear?
Guess Geoff needs new shoes, pants, shirts....... can't get by with jeans and an FD job shirt? Thank heavens we are just a mile from great diggs in the mall area.
Even though Latin mamma JMC has the itinerary all planned out....where should we go when we get there?
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