Part 2- Fast Paced Rome

Picts

Colosseum & Arch di Constantine

Fast paced Rome- need your walking shoes

I wasn't able to get online yesterday so i will make a couple posts tonight.  To make this post a bit quicker i will post picts at the end- only selecting a few while on the trip as i took about 750 yesterday alone.  Yesterday started with Rebecca providing us each with a radio and ear piece that we will use the entire trip to hear her or our guides for the day.  Too bad we didn’t have a way to talk back however for today had a few events of misplaced people.  It was supposed to rain all day but we got lucky and only for a quick bus ride did it rain. 

We then met our tour guide for the day Fabritio who we didn’t know at the time he should have been a marathon runner.  He took us to St Peter's Basilica where we walked around the elliptical shaped “square” where we found the symbols for wind from Angels and Demon’s movie.   There are two spots on the square if you stand on them and look around all the columns line up and you only see one row instead of 4 in the surrounding buildings.  We then went into the basilica where we saw amazing statues, mosaics, and a bronze trellis that told a story of the artist’s daughter who had an affair with pope and was impregnated while he was commissioned to do the piece.  Many Popes are buried here in the catacombs and we were even able to see 3 or 4 mummified on display in glass tombs in the main room.

After exiting the Basilica we found we were a few members short in the group… and eventually had to leave without Derek and Christine.  Anyone who got separated had to take taxis back to the hotel. 

Our next stop was a walk that  took us around the outside of the Colosseum and the Arch di Constantine.  Which were spectacular to see…if we have time when we come back we may try to go in the Colosseum

Unfortunately we noticed as we were heading to the bus that we were missing my grandma and aunt.  Robert and I ran back to the colosseum but no luck in finding them and we knew the bus had to keep moving.  We literally ran back to the bus as it started to rain hoping Judy and Grandma knew how to get back to the hotel. 

We wrongfully guessed they may have stopped at a bathroom but we actually lost them early on when we sent down a flight of stairs and turned to go around the Colosseum.  Luckily they did find their way back to the hotel and had a relaxing afternoon to be rested up for the evening events.

The tour bus continued back to St Peter’s where we took in a quick bite.. Shirley and I tried the Lasagna, Robert the ravioli and Mom and grandpa had some pizza.  While there mom was able to get some blessed rosary beads for a dear friend.

As an optional tour we then went into Vatican City to the Vatican Museums where some of the most amazing art is on display practically at your fingertips.  Hallways of statues, tapestries and rooms of various styles of art are displayed where thousands of people seemed to view every day.  Each room led us closer and closer to the famous Sistine Chapel where no photos are allowed.

The day had included constant walking and so as our feet grew weary a few of us tried to take a moment here and there to sit down but with Frabritio’s pace we could never do so for more than a moment before we were off again.  At one point my radio was cutting out so I thought I was way behind the group and booked it through a few rooms to catch up to our guide only to discover I was actually in the lead of our group and others were rooms behind.  One could spend weeks looking at all the art here and see new things every time.  We only had a few hours but ability of Romans to preserve artwork over the eras is very impressive… even though “recycling” roman monuments was once a tradition when building materials were needed for newer cathedrals.

With aching feet we made it back to the hotel with a few minutes to refresh before heading to dinner.

We officially adopted two new members to our group- Linda and her daughter Linda Ann from Canada- they live on opposite coasts but met up for this trip.  Our table was filled with laughter and wine as we were served the various courses.  We started with a flatbread appetizer where you get bread and various vegetables and salami & pruchuto .  The second course was two types of pasta, followed by a chicken and potato course.  Wrapping up dinner was a delicious ice-cream and fruit mixture where the ice cream tasted like cake batter... YUM!

At the restaurant we had some local entertainment of an accordion player and a Soprano Opera style singer who wrapped Judy up in the moment and she went up and pretended to join them singing… which thankfully for our ears she didn’t do.  We were able to sample the house white, house red and some champagne during dinner so to say the group got a little “happy” would be a good description.  On our way out of the restaurant we posed for a group photo of all the different groups on the tour… and of course Rebecca was trying to take with all the cameras thrust at her and strongly encouraging using social media to share.  Luckily most of the Americans have my blog address and will just copy pictures of the group from here.

On the bus ride back to the hotel we asked Rebecca to drop us off near the Spanish Steps as Mom and Judy wanted to see the fountain we saw the night before.  A few others heard we were going and next thing you know 2/3’s of the bus got off with us and Robert and I took over as the guides… having been the only ones to have been there before.  As we strolled the streets (with a few detours to McDonalds for bathroom breaks) to reach the Spanish Steps for a short pictures shooting stop.  Then weaved a half mile to the Trevi Fountain where coins were tossed into the fountain and gelato was devoured with glee.  With such a large group we had to send off groups back to the hotel in various taxis with Robert providing the drivers with directions when needed.  Robert, Shirley and I took the last taxi to make sure everyone made it into a taxi.

St Peter's Basilica

1st night in Rome

We arrived!  I think we were all relieved to arrive in Rome's airport where we were met with transport to our hotel Donna Laura Place where we met our guide Rebecca.

To start the evening we had a few minutes to get settled in our rooms and then off for a short 10 min jaunt down the street to Grotta Azzurra.  We feasted on appetizer plate of flat-bread crust and assorted toppings, spaghetti, the house red wine and mimosa cake for desert. 

Originally everyone was heading back to the hotel to crash or have a glass of wine before bed and most did.  However Robert and i felt adventurous and knew that night viewings of certain sites may be trickier to fit into our schedule.  So we set off in our 1st official Rome taxi ride to the Spanish Steps a short distance away before walking to the Trevi Fountain... in the rain.  We got out of the taxi and a light sprinkle turned into a downpour... but that only heightened the fun.  Purchasing a 2nd umbrella from one of the many indian umbrella vendors wandering the streets we set off see all we could.

We got a few breaks from the rain at the Trevi Fountain and the place just took my breath away.  It was so large and gripping to look at.  And the people.. omg... rain wasn't keeping anyone away.  Many like us took pictures and tossed coins into the fountain and you could see people from nations all over the world take in the beauty of the moment of being at this place.  This was a great way to cap off our first night in Rome- I am so glad we saw it all lite up in the evening.. picts in daylight will be to come.  Our trip out was not complete though until we had some gelato and a second taxi ride through Rome.  We took a ton more picts but the wireless is being a bit slow tonight so i will upload them later.  We have a very full day ahead of us and it is very late after two days of no sleep so i will say goodnight for now.

Amsterdam

Sitting outside at the Amsterdam airport after two flights since yesterday morning relaxing and enjoying some fresh air.  So far the trip has gone pretty smoothly (well maybe a hickup here or there but all minor).  Sleep wasn't coming for most on the flight from MN to Amsterdam as we had a toddler with quite the set of lungs two rows ahead.. and to say he wasn't happy would be an understatement.

The excitement is building for the whole group as we get closer to getting on our last flight to rome.. some excited about getting there others excited about how soon they might see a bed.. lol.  More to come on the traveling but wanted to give a quick update so all would know we are making our way.