DAY 1: Saturday October 10,2009. We have ARRIVED!!!! Saturday 8 AM, Viva Roma!! Was raining like crazy when we landed in "zero" visibility--instrumentation only landing--pretty good for a Boeing 777 with 291 passenger persons board. Kudos to the crew. By 11 AM it was beautiful, sunny and we were on the move.
Unfortunately, our baggage did not make the trip! Alitalia did not seemed too concerned---maybe on tomorrow's flight. It's obvious they were not concerned about my wearing the same bvd's for three days. However, when you are in Roma, underwear is not important!! We are very excited!!! After a couple of hours with the "bag search" we then proceeded to our hote and what a shock! --You think of ancient Rome, however, we reside in ultra contemporary Pisana Palace, full of Nouveau--contemporary, very nice, clean and quite reasonable when booked with the airline reservation--and full breakfast each mornig.
Ms Helen (wifey) went next door to the "Farmacia" and purchased some flip-flops for walking until the favorites arrive--and they were ONLY $50. (for flipflops)!
I also picked up some misc, toothpaste, shaving cream and gillette razor for $38--was, very expensive! Draft beer is $8, you get the idea.
We were able to get into our Hotel room a little early, 1:30 PM, and immediately took a nap till 6 PM, reset the clock and eventually got up at 7 PM.
We had heard that the Pope (for our trip no doubt) is having a Santification at St. Peters Square tomorrow, Sunday (announcing five (5) New Saints) along with a Papel Blessing for ALL at 10 AM and we plan to attend.
We decided to scope out the logistics, so to speak, at St. Peters Square-(I understand a few folks may show up so we wanted to see where the good vantage points are). We went to the Square---quite beautiful and of course mysteriously historic. I decided where the best reconnieter location would be for the service and to insure best vantage for the blessing. (I wonder if Pope Benedict gives autographs--only kidding).
We then went to the nicest little Biestro only three blocks from St Peters and had "real pasta, mouels (mussels) and rosoto seafood." Delicious.
At the end of our meal, things were quieting down and our waiter\manager\busboy "Renata", age approx 75, chatted with us for some time. It was so very moving that he thanked Americans, thanked God for America--because he remembered how we liberated Italy in WWII. He said people today don't remember what the US did for their country. He went on to say that his respect and gratitude for Americans caused him to cry on 9/11 and he hoped America would continue to protect the world and fight for peace everywhere--that we were the only country that could.
DAY 2, Sunday October, 11, 2009. We got up early and headed for St. Peters Square--Pope Benedict the XVI, was hosting a Santification for five (5) new Saints. It was incredible! The Pope celebrated Mass, celebrated the recently named Saints and came out into St Peters Square blessing and addressing the crowd in at least six (6) different languages. We were about 200 feet away and got some great pictrures. You have to wonder why they didn't make St Peters Square a little larger--I think it only holds 50,000--and it was full. What an experience.
 
The Five new Saints!!
PS Baggage still NOT here and Alitalia will be paying dearly after I pick out my new Italian cut suit and designer underwear tomorrow!!
DAY 3, MONDAY, OCTOBER 12,2009. Still no baggage, s-o-o today turned out to be a shopping day at the largest Mall in Italy (we are told). When I asked the salesgal for a recommendation to purchase a men's jacket her response was "we have 260 shoppes in the Mall so I am sure you can find a jacket in one of them". Helen did try looking in at least two hundred of them I'm sure---and we ate many Pizza toppings--never saw so many varieties in a buffet style--really good.
Between our bus and train exchange stops we found a great Gelato shop (Ice cream and pastries) and enjoyed some desert with a nice bottle of red wine--sat out front and watched the world go by.
DAY 4, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2009. ANNIVERSARY DAY.
Where better to spend your anniversary than on a private tour of the Vatican. We got in before it was open to the Public. Started with the magnificent Vatican Museums--how many ways can you say "opulent", the paintings, the statutes, the frescos, so rich in color and history! Then you move into the Sistine Chapel and it is unimaginable how that all came together. Most scholars now agree that Michelangelo painted the ceiling standing on the scaffoldings NOT laying down--would Charleton Heston really mislead us? Then from the Chapel to St. Peters Basilica--words cannot describe the grandeur, the history, the feeling you get being in the Cathedral and having a feel for what has taken place to bring us to this point in history--awesome and mindboggling at the same time----not to say how humbling the entire experience is.
We jumped on one of the fabulous tour buses--great for getting around, you get on and off where ever you like and visit the sites. Toured some of the ancient places, found that jacket I was looking for (thank you Alitalia) and we had our Anniversary dinner in an out of the way place-very elegant and of course lots of red wine!
DAY 5, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2009
Weather changed a little colder last evening--cold front into the 40's and temps in the 60's today with sunshine---it was really great! We spent most of the day on the double-decker bus getting the lay-of the land so to speak--so we could determine where we wanted to spend more time. Guess where one of the first stops we decided to spend some time?
HOW MANY WAYS CAN YOU SAY WOW!!!!! Did I mention Red wine is cheaper than beer???? We are having a blast!!
DAY 6, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15,2009
Another Wow, unbelievable day--how did they squeeze ALL that history into such a short period of time??? I could go on and on about Nero, Romulus, all the Ceasars, Gladiators, etc--but you wouldn't remember it anyway. However, the mystery and the magic of the Pantheon, the Imperial Forum and Emanuel II's Palace to name a few are just overwhelming. Did I mention the wine is cheaper--yes I am sure I did! Trying to upload a few pics.
In front of the Tomb of the Unknown Solider.
Off to Venice, Florence and Pisa tomorrow--eat your heart out (or just send money--petty expensive) Seriously though, what an experience, I hope all of you are blessed with your dream trips. wjm
DAY 7 & 8, FRIDAY & SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16,17, 2009
Arrived in Venice--great train and they are almost on time. Visited San Marco Square, the Glass Factory at Murano, lots of Cathedrals and did lots of eating, walking and Boat Taxi's everywhere--remember --no cars on the Island, only boats and walking. Great weather, food and wine!!!!
Ms Helen waiting for a ride to Murano, The Glass Factory The Orginal Waterfront Property!!!!
 
San Marco Square
FLORENCE Michelangelo's "David" No photos please!! Tell me BEFORE I take the picture!!! The "Close Ups" are X rated!!!!
The guides keep saying that Michelangelo was not a painter he was a sculpture--so why let him into the Sistine Chapel!!!!!
 
Picture on the right is Neptune in the Duomo Plaza, Florence. Once you've seen a few thousand statutes--only kidding, incredible stuff!
Off to Assisi and Pompeii---and a little more Roma---viva Italy!!
 
Basillica of St Francis of Assisi, Patron Saint of Animals.
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