Monday, June 29, 2009

Adventures in Rome

In April 2005 I traveled to Italy for the first time. I love Italian food and my half-Italian husband (his mother was first-generation American) but I never had any overwhelming desire to travel to Italy. When my friend Gisele asked if I was interested in a trip, my first reaction was.......hmmm, maybe, maybe not. Obviously I said yes, and my stepdaughter Pam of Pam's Perspectives, Gisele and Gisele's stepmother Muriel and I traveled together. We had a great time.

It was also my first time on one of those Six-Countries-in-Four-Days kinds of trips where they keep you moving from 6:30 a.m. to midnight. Not the most restful way to travel but you see a lot. We actually only visited Italy but in one week we traveled from Venice all the way down to Sorrento on the Amalfi Coast. From nearly missing the plane in Boston after getting to Logan 7 hours early (don't ask) to Pam and me getting lost in the streets of Venice, it was a wonderful trip!

Here are a few photos of our stay in Rome.



This is a Lamborghini. It probably took 5 minutes to get this shot as Gisele kept saying......'okay, wait a minute, no, oops, I missed it, go back.' I was smiling but was thinking about killing her as I stood making a spectacle of myself in the middle of the street.

Probably my favorite photo from the trip. That's Muriel, Gisele, Pam and me on the Spanish Steps. Don't know who those people in front were.



Another of my favorites. To me this was the ultimate new meets old. Or at least newer meets ancient as the yellow building was probably mid-1800's.



We were there the week after the funeral of Pope John Paul II. This is the door to the Sistine Chapel which was as far as we got because the College of Cardinals was meeting. In fact we were in Italy when they elected Pope Benedict XVI.


These photos are taken on the grounds at the Coliseum. It was a drizzly day which made the site a little eerie especially when you looked into the pits where the animals and slaves were kept but it also made the trees and grass so green, it was a beautiful contrast.

Stick around and I'll post more photos from our visit to other cities.

11 comments:

mommakin said...

Wow, these are just beautiful! I've done whirlwind tours, too, and agree completely - not very relaxing, but you sure do get a lot in!

Michele said...

I've always wanted to go to Italy. Thanks for posting the pics. I love viewing it through your eyes.

Unknown said...

Lovely pictures. I've never been to Europe, but it's a dream for someday.
Looks like you had fun, despite the busy pace.

Pam said...

I have (and love) all those pictures. Still remember the yahoos who got into our Spanish Steps pictures.

Alex the Girl said...

Ohhhh, I want to go so bad. So so bad. Those were lovely pictures and did nothing to curb my desire to tour Italy.

Sandy said...

Alex, despite my rather blase attitude initially, it was a wonderful place to visit. I was fortunate to be able to go back in just two years and that time for TWO weeks with Paul. That was a fabulous, fabulous trip that we did on our own. Having been there the first time really helped. Go when you can.

kayerj said...

great pictures, I especially loved the lamborgini

Mrs. M said...

Looks like a fantastic trip! Just stopping by from SITS to say hi! Have a wonderful day!!

Ginger said...

Did you go to Florence?! Florence is my favorite! I want to live there!!! I did apply to teach at the American School in Rome. That would be SO lovely!

Thanks for sharing the pics and for taking me on a stroll down Memory Lane.

Sandy said...

Ginger, yes, we did visit Florence and of the cities I've seen in Italy, by far my favorite. I plan to go back to Florence again but don't now when. Please keep in touch, I will be posting pics from there as well.

As I said, I enjoyed Italy so much more than expected. I would love to be able to spend more than just a week or two there. Maybe someday!

Thanks for coming by and leaving just great comments BTW!

Melissa said...

I've always thought Rome was so interesting. Thanks for sharing your photos!

 

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