Time to say good by..

This song by Andrea Bocelli has been running through my head as we wrap up our visit to Rome and prepare to head to Paris tomorrow. We had a tremendous time just wandering the area around the Aventine,going to a farmers market and buying Italian honey, visiting the Orange Garden and peeking through the keyhole at the Knights of Malta Palace. We crossed the Tiber and ate at a delightful little cafe, making it in the door about 5 minutes before a torrential rainfall deluged the Trastevere. We again trekked the 300 plus steps to Caterina's apartment where we visited as she finished her packing. On the way back to the San Giovanni area, we noticed that the ATAC (bus) police were hopping on and off busses collecting mega fines from people like us who didn't have a ticket. We raced across the street at the Colosseum and bought two tickets, but, wouldn't you know! No bus police hopped on our last bus. Ah well.......it is ridiculously easy to just hop on and off busses and never pay. I am not sure how they fund them to be honest.

So.....all packed and writing this blog before I turn in for the night. It has been a really nice experience to be in Roma again. Even Geoff was beginning to be able to understand a little Italian! Va bene!

Cafe, Cafe! On Via Dei Santi Quattro

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.

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. :)