Day 55

Ciao from Rome

Buongiorno,
     Well this is it... My last day in Rome...My last day in Italy:(
     There will be a next time so no time for extended sadness.
     I realized along time ago that this trip will and could never be duplicated so I intend to enjoy every single moment of this now and for the rest of my life:)
     I didn't leave Rome until 6, which I think I mentioned, and left the hotel at 3 for the airport, so I had a really nice last day. I slept in, finished packing, got ready and headed out for my last walk for a while in Rome. I went to the Borghese Garden, which is Rome's equivalent to Central Park and I am really pushing it, but it was really beautiful. I had my final gelato in Italy. (Damn! I am really going to miss those delights) and was just walking, reminiscing about my time in Italy. What an experience. I then walked to The Piazza Barberini, Via Vittorio Veneto and in and out of little streets.

Mmmmm

Mo came by the hotel to say goodbye, we have become really good friends since we met a month ago. We have had some incredible conversation, amazing dinners (funny but we have always ordered tons of food and share, every time) and have spent a lot of hours together. He is truly a good person. A man I know...I wasn't born yesterday, but a man with integrity, values, morels, class, kindness and generosity. As well as being a man:) Those are some darn good qualities. He knew how much I have fallen in love with Italian music and bought me lots of CD's so I could enjoy Italy again at home:) I know I will keep in touch with him as well as with Evie, Peter, Helen, Vicki and my newest friend Louis. What a diverse group pf people and I have learned something from every one of them.

Good Bye from the St. Regis

So about Vueling Airlines, yes that's the plane I am on. (I know I have never heard of it either) Mohammed said he wasn't letting me leave Rome until I found out where the plane was based and what kind of aircraft I would be in. Even the people at the restaurant we went to had never heard of Vueling. OK that was not a good sign! I have to admit that scared me a bit. That's why I didn't mention it in my blog...Why should we all worry...right? Vueling is from Spain and it is an Airbus A320-200, not sure what that means but I am in it as I am writing this rough draft of my blog. (trying to make good use of my time) I am having my first disappointment with Vueling now...I was going to buy a Fusilli Pasta Salad and they said they were all gone, then I ordered apples...gone. Come on I'm in row 4 you just started. I think they should hire me to run their Culinary in the air division. It's cramped in here as well but it is only a 1:45 minute flight.

So my plane landed at 8 and I got to the hotel about 9.30, quite easy actually and Helen said she would come to the hotel and we would hang out. The poor thing, she got lost, it's freezing a-s cold here and she ended up after an hour going back home. I told her to grab a cab but she must not have found one. I feel so awful. She is going to call me when she gets home. I just ordered room service (I only had that gelato today) and since it's almost 11 I am fine staying in my room. We will go out tomorrow and Tuesday!

Oh I forgot to tell you I tried to book at the Westin Paris so I could start and end my trip at the same place but they were booked, so I am staying at the Le Meridien Etoile. It's nice, very modern and a little out of the way. (hence Helen getting lost). Thanks again to Starwood points. I sleep again Euro free:)

Ciao from Italy, Au revoir from France,

Sending all my love and everything good,

 Love Laura

Food in a restaurant window:)

Thought for the day:

Be open to extend yourself to meet new people, It could very well change your life...