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...

    

Day 54

Me after no sleep, no makeup and no vanity

at the spa:)

                                                                        
Happy Day Everyone,
    I had a very late night last night and was very grateful that I had this spa day planned for today.
   It was a beautiful day of pampering. I went all out...I know I know I know what you're thinking.
My treatments consisted of a Lemongrass scrub followed by a Goat Milk body mask, which only got better by a St Regis Signature massage, then on to the Pro Collagen Quartz Lift Facial (I swear I look better:) and then a nice mani/pedi. Wow!!!! I have never done anything like that in my life and it was decadent and delightful:)

After the first 2 treatments, taking a break and enjoying some tea and fruit. Waking up a bit:)

  I came back to my room feeling so relaxed and rejuvenated at the same time. I packed box #10. I'm sick:) in a good way I think:) hey it's my only addiction. I could be a crack addict!!! Doesn't sound so bad now does it? Actually I think I only have a couple of clothing items left in my suitcase that I came with:)

After a shower, makeup, clothes and a day of pampering:)

With what else? Box #10

  I also packed as I am going back to Paris tomorrow. I changed my flight to leave at 6pm instead of 12 because I have dinner plans again tonight:) I told you this trip has been like the best dream of my life:)    
       I would like to come back to Rome. I did so much but feel like I only made a dent and there are many things I would still like to see.

My friend Mo and I

      I will talk to you tomorrow from Paris. 
                                                                 Ciao and Au revoir
                                                                           Love, hugs and kisses,
                                                                                                Laura

Goodnight from my last night in Rome:)

Something fun to do:

Listen to an entire CD in a language you don't know and pick out your favorite song and translate it.

I have my favorite Italian song "Per Tutta La Vita" and I found out it means "Throughout Life" I just loved the song without even knowing the name. So much that I bought 2 different CD's with it before I even knew the translation:) Another version is "Per Tutte Le Volte Che" meaning "For All The Times"
It's fun try it!

Thought for the day:
Days are like little beginnings:)

Day 53

Hello from day 53,

 I can't believe I only have 5 days left. It feels so strange that this trip is almost over. I have covered a lot of ground, seen so many beautiful amazing places, have met wonderful people.

Museo del Scuderia

This is why you plan ahead and make online reservations and print out your ticket! You just walk in and bypass this mess:) I believe I am travelling to help out my future travellers:)

The smile is because I did have my ticket and the Caravaggio

 exhibit was fantastic. The day started out beautiful...Just wait....

Look behind me...The Colosseum...You just turn down a street and you never know what you will find:)

Ok so this picture is interesting. I was on my afternoon tour, I thought just to the Catacombes, but it was also to two Churches. This picture is from one of them and it is said that inside this beautiful glass enclosure are the 2 actual pieces of wood that the basket was made out of that Jesus slept in when he was born. There is no documented proof but the guides story made it seem possible. Have any of you heard of this?

 

No pictures were allowed in the Catacombes. This was really interesting. There are 64 Catacombes in Rome and what they are is underground mazes if you will that span 4 levels in height and this particular one is 17 miles long. For lack of a better description it looks like a huge ant farm inside where over 150000 Christian bodies were buried in tombs. By choice and practicality. So that when the resurrection came the bodies would come back to life. Most of the tombs have been robbed of the bodies, however there are still 2000 still there.

My new friend Louis and I

We met on the tour, he is from Pakistan, living and working in Dubai. He was in the seminary for 7 years and realized that it wasn't his calling. An extremely nice person. We hung out together on the tour and I was his official photographer.:) He made the tour so much fun for me.

I got back to my hotel and got ready for dinner with my friend Mohammad (from Egypt) It was great seeing him. I kept wanting to get a picture but we never stopped talking long enough to do so. Tonight! I will get one tonight. We will be friends forever:) We had an amazing dinner, went for a walk (by the way it was freezing last night) , then went to another quaint restaurant where there was a singer and had some hot tea, talked some more and listened to Italian music. Perfect.

I have my spa day tomorrow so sorry everyone pictures will be slight:)

See you in 5 days,

Love, Laura

I love all the doors:)

Thought for the day:

When you meet someone that you feel you already know, you probably do...

Day 52

Beautiful view of the Tiber River

Hi Everybody,

OK this is a really big day so I hope you are up to it... It's funny because other than the few people who leave me comments I have no idea who is reading this famous (to me) blog. I feel like I am journeling for anyone to see. Hmmm maybe I should be careful...mmmm no!. Before I begin on my day I just want to say hi and thank you to everyone at Flags, Denim Bar and Miyamo for reading my blog. Judy(my sister) has told me that you don't want me to come back because you will miss my blogs. That made my day:) I guess I will just have to plan another adventure....for you of course:)

Allysa and I

Allysa was my private guide today for my tour of The Vatican. The smallest state in the world! First off this is nothing you can see in one day so having a guide is great because you hit all the high points and in subsequent visits (like Le Louvre) you explore and see more. If I wrote about everything I saw it would be a book in its self, so I will also highlight the high points and put captions under the pics.

So this is a very cool picture, it is the actual entrance doors to the Pope's residence. There aren't any people here because no-one knew! At least the people that were around me. The Vatican has been the  most crowded place I have been in all the time I have been gone. I realize I am not much into crowds:)

This is Michelangelo's Pieta, it is behind glass because back in the 80's some wacko came at it with a hammer and damaged it. The Pieta was repaired using the broken pieces. The man is in a mental hospital. How insane is that? Also another fact: In 1955 the Pieta was shipped to New York for the World's Fair. This piece is huge and because of it's value is hard to believe that Italy would risk moving it. There must of been a lot of money involved:)

St. Peter's Square

 This famous Piazza is where all the people were standing to hear who the new Pope was 5 years ago. The Pope also says a blessing every Sunday from his window that overlooks the Piazza. This is also where you can see the black or white smoke when the Cardinals are choosing the new Pope. (not bad for a Jewish girl huh?) (Don't worry the Jewish Ghetto is later today)

The Baldacchino inside of St Peter's Basilica (the largest Church in the world). To give you a idea the Baldacchino is the equivalent in height to a 10 story building. Bernini designed this huge alter piece that is made of bronze. The round paintings that you can see from the top right and left are approximately 20 feet in diameter. This Church was absolutely gorgeous in person. Also St. Peter's tomb is directly under the alter. It is pretty amazing.

 

OK so I did it again, after 3 pictures I hear "NO PICTURES" unlike the Last Supper, there were many people taking pictures. It was not very clear even Allysa said "Oh sorry I forgot to tell you, sometimes they say something and sometimes they don't" Anyway, this picture is very interesting, first because oh my gosh... It's the Sistine Chapel!!!! and secondly the window at the far end on the right is where the black or white smoke is emitted when a new Pope is chosen.

Michelangelo's "Heaven and Hell" on the far wall in the Sistine Chapel. He did this wall after he did the ceiling. There is a lot of information in this Fresco. One fact: Michelangelo painted all figures in the nude and one of the Pope's thought it was inappropriate so he had another artist come in and paint over the "privates", years later in the 80's during restoration 20 of the painted over privates were removed without damaging the original work.

Are you still with me? or am I loosing you? A lot of information I know.

After my tour Allysa gave me some ideas of where to go and what to do so we parted ways at the Vatican and I was off on my own map in hand.

Do you remember Marco?

I was heading to Piazza Navona and I got a gelato for the walk and I heard "Hey Laura" I turned around and there was Marco my driver to Cinque Terra from Florence. Florence is a 3 hour drive away. Can you believe this? We were like long lost friends reunited!!!! Of course we had to take a picture. What are the chances that we would run into each other in Rome? So weird...so cool. He was driving 2 women on a day trip from Florence to Rome. We chatted for a bit and I was off. What a nice guy:)

I made my way to Piazza Navona. A beautiful Piazza with a lot of sculptures, shops and restaurants.

I made it to Campo de Fiori, it smelled so good here. I loved it.

YES I made it to The Jewish Ghetto (I still don't like that word you know) I arrived at the Museo Ebraico di Roma, I went on a tour and was able to go into two Synagogues, the Antique Gallery and the Museum. As with all of the Synagogues, no photographs inside the gates were allowed. I asked why all of the Synagogues have this rule and the guide told me that in 1982 a terrorist set a bomb off outside the Temple on Sukkot and killed a 2 tear old and wounded 35 others. Since then most or all the Synagogues in Italy have strict rules and security. How sad, but the Rabbi said it is better to be safe than sorry. I can understand but it is very sad that the beauty of these Synagogues cannot be shared through pictures. The tour was very interesting and this Temple is the second largest in I think she said the world. Budapest being the largest. She also said where the larger Temple's are is where the most tragedy usually happened because it is a cities way of apologizing for what happened and they contribute largely to rebuilding the Synagogues. Another fact: The last two Popes have come to this Temple to express that we are all children of G-d and that there should be no religious tensions. This meant a lot to the Jewish community. I could go on but I will stop:)

A pretty good view of the Synagogue from this point. right behind my head. I was on my way to Trastevere, an area that Allyssa told me about. It started raining at this point and this is where my navigating luck ran out.

I'm cold, hungry, it's raining and I am done walking and oh yes I am lost in Rome:(

I felt like if I could find the Tiber River I could figure out where I was. I saw taxis but they were all full. After walking and walking and walking some more, I slowed down and trusted my gut and walked right to the river. I then HELLO realized I could use my IPhone map and did and started on my 4 mile journey back to the hotel. Yes and it is still raining and I am still looking for a cab. At least I was heading in the correct direction. I saw some pretty scenery and tried to keep a positive attitude in spite of being starving. After about 2 miles of walking I see a taxi area and get into a nice warm car. "St Regis please" 10 euro later I was there. Ahhh so happy. I walked down the street and had dinner and came back to the hotel.

Whew!!! That put me a bit over the edge.

I didn't even get to the police officer asking me out and walking a block with me asking again and again. He had a gun:) Actually, the men in Rome are not as intense as the men in Florence at all, those guys were crazy. Then tonight in the lounge Gian Luca (popular name) bought me a Cappuccino and offered to show me around, that was nice, so you are thinking wow 2 in 1 day? Oh no, I actually have dinner plans tomorrow night. Remember my friend Mo from Egypt that I met on the train to Milano? Well he is going to be in Rome this weekend and asked me out to dinner tomorrow night. That should be fun:) Aren't my days interesting?

I am also flying out on Sunday back to Paris. I was able to get a direct flight (saved me a lot of time) and was able to transfer my one night of starwood points toward my room in Paris. I am having dinner with Helen on Sunday and lunch with Vicki on Tuesday. I am looking forward to seeing my friends. Then I am coming home to my family:):):) and friends:):):) I really am excited!!!

Now you are pretty well caught up on my life:) I hope you aren't bored....

Lots of love to all,

Laura

Thought for the day:

Always remember you are never alone, there is always a guardian angle with you:)

Day 51

Trevi Fountain

Bourgiono everyone,

Well another busy day, aren't they all? I decided not to go on the hop on hop off today and walk. I feel like you see so much more when you walk so that's what I did. I didn't get lost either which was so nice. I started at Trevi Fountain, it was funny every fountain I saw on the way I thought was it and then when I saw it I laughed. It is huge you can't mistake it and you can hear it from a mile away:)

Always up for a photo op!!!

I was then off to The Pantheon, another amazing place. I just can't get over how old everything is here. It is just incredible. For those that don't know Raphael's (the painter) tomb is in The Pantheon among others.

The door at The Pantheon

I grabbed a quick lunch and headed back toward the hotel to meet up for my tour of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. The tour was great, everyone was given a headset so when the guide spoke while walking you could hear him without being right next to him.

Inside The Colosseuum

A couple of facts, the Colosseum was built from 72-80 AD, a huge portion was demolished in an earthquake and there are parts that are restored. Also in the first 90 days the Colosseum was open there were celebrations and over 5000 people were killed. OK enough history and my memory can only hold so much.

Another view of The Colosseum

We were then off to the Roman Forum. It is amazing how all of this history is still here and was never destroyed. Everywhere you look you can see something thousands of years old.

The Roman Forum

     I'm not going to lie I was on information overload at this point so I will have to read about the Forum at a later time. I was talking to a really nice couple on their honeymoon. They were so cute, both in their late 30's and this was their first marriage. I was taking pictures of them because they said they hadn't taken very many, so they were happy about that. They took all mine from the Colosseum and Forum.

When the tour was over the bus dropped off everyone at different spots around town which was so great. I got off at the stop by the Spanish Steps.

On my way up the steps

The Spanish Steps were really pretty. The atmosphere was lively and fun. There were a lot of people as you can see in the picture. In May there are red Azaleas all over the steps and I heard it is really quite something to see.

Views from the middle and top of the steps

I have had a busy day don't you think? And it's not over. It is now almost 1:00 am and I am writing my blog:) I downloaded over 100 pictures today.

After I was done walking down the steps I felt like I was also done sightseeing for the day and I walked back to the hotel, stopped for dinner at an outdoor cafe. (It's like 52* here but it feels like a heat wave) and then I made my way back to my temporary home.

Tomorrow I go on my private Vatican tour and I am looking so forward to it. You know you will see and hear all about it.

Miss you and thinking of you,

Love Laura

Quote of the day:

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom"

Day 50

Goodbye Florence

Hi Everyone,

     Well I left Florence this morning and had a 10:10 train departure, I got there early and was able to leave at 9:40, so that was nice, Rome is only about an hour and a half from Florence, so it was quick. When I got to Rome with a heavy suitcase (the boots) I found out that there was a demonstration by my hotel and the taxis weren't going in the traffic. So the guy pointed in the direction of my hotel and I pulled out my IPhone Maps and pulling my suitcase, carrying my heavy bag, I was not that happy, but I was off to the hotel on foot:(. When I finally got there and it really wasn't that far (I just walked a little out of my way), I was so happy I didn't get lost, but I was a little hot and disheveled, but I was there:).

Helloooo Rome or should I say Helloooo Room?

     Nice room don't you think? All paid for by my Starwood points. Thank you Starwood:) The tariff in the room says the cost per night is $1350. Euro. It really is such a beautiful room. But seriously isn't that crazy? Look at the boots that would buy...

     I unpacked, freshened up and went down to the Concierge to start planning my time here. I booked a tour for tomorrow for Ancient Rome and the Colosseum and then on Thursday I booked a private tour of the Vatican. I thought that was good planning for today and then I was off on my own.

I thought the Hop on Hop off was a good idea!

I didn't hop off, so I guess I went on the hop on bus:) I thought I would just stay on and enjoy the ride. It was a beautiful day and the headset gave some great information. It's a 24 hour ticket so I may go out again tomorrow before my tour starts at 2:30. We'll see. The views were beautiful and I took a lot of great pictures from the height I was at.

Nice view of the Tevere River

There is so much to see here. It is incredible. I will include the other pictures when I personally visit the spots.

After the bus tour I stopped for lunch and relaxed a bit and read up on Rome on my IPhone APP. Trying to be inconspicuous:)  I then walked to the Museo Nazionale Romano, I feel like sometimes the smaller museums are more fun because they aren't so overwhelming. I got the audio guide and started walking the museum. It was filled with sculptures (that I love) and it was really interesting hearing the history behind them. It amazed me how many of the artifacts in this museum date back to 20 and 30 AD!!!! Difficult to even fathom that long ago.

David? I don't think so:)

I decided to come back to the hotel and enjoy my beautiful room, so I took a bath while listening to my new Italian CD. ( I really enjoy Italian music) I am going to get a good night sleep so I can hit it hard tomorrow.

When I think of all I have done in 50 days it is incredible.

Take care and I hope everyone is happy and well. I will see you all soon. Contrary to what you might think I really miss everyone so much:) and am looking forward to seeing you!!!! But I have to be honest I have a big list of places I want to go. I love travelling:) Are you in?

Talk to you tomorrow,

Arrivederci,

Love, Laura

A little fun at the museum

Thought for the day:

We all have days that are tough, we just need to pull ourselves through and not get stuck.

Life is too beautiful to be stuck...

Day 49

Box #9....:)

Hi Everyone,

I'm sorry but I need the time to slow down, I am not ready to come back to the America's. I don't know about you but the time has gone by so quickly.

I was all set to go on a Chianti tour today and this morning I found out it got canceled and then I was looking forward to having dinner with Evie and got a message that she needed to cancel because she is not feeling well. Hmmm those two pieces of information are not good. So on to my plan B, it's always good to have a plan B I have learned.

First things first though, when I was packing my box I realized that 2 bottles of essential oil was missing from my purchases at the Farmaceutia that I bought yesterday, I walked over with my receipt and explained the situation and she gave me the product. I was so happy that it was so simple because they were a pricey purchase. Another travel tip, the Farmaceutia has great customer service:)

The Centrale Market

I walked over to the Centrale Market, it was huge with every fresh ingredient you would ever want, meat counters, fresh fruit, vegatables, breads, desserts, olive oil, balsamic vinegars, and everything in between. It was so much fun. I bought some olive oil and

 balsamic vinegar (aged 8 years) I rushed back to the hotel so they could have it packed in my box. Good thinking:) Always thinking about lightening my load:) It was a good thing because that bag was heavy. Lets hope all my stuff doesn't smell like a salad when it gets home.

The Duomo

I then thought it was a great day to climb up to the top of the Duomo, I had put this idea on hold after I had walked to the top of the tower. Call me crazy or call it another guilt free gelato. Tomato/Tomahto, but I was off.

The gelato was for strength and endurance before my big climb!

463 stairs up very steep terrain and I was looking at yet another amazing view of the city of Florence.

Isn't it a beautiful view and a gorgeous day?

Well worth the stairs and the 8 euro ticket charge. I was actually impressed with myself, I went up pretty darn easily. Passing up a few young ones:) I still have it:) yeah!!!!! I will continue this great workout regimen when I get home. It feels so good to be able to be active and not get exhausted.

On top of the world

Oh yes I need to make a confession... I have an addiction I realize...I really didn't know it was this bad until this trip.... But I am addicted to boots...I love them, I want them, I have to have them. The problem is that they are everywhere here and easy to get. The high I get from the smell of leather or suede is incredible. And the array of different types causes me to hallucinate. I need some help when I get back. The first step is accepting that you have an addiction right?

I saw Evie to say goodbye but she was not feeling very good. I did get a picture of us which made me happy.

I am going to go to Harry's Bar for dinner. It is right down the street and I had the best Tuscan White Bean Soup with Prawns the other night and I am going to have it again tonight.

Leo and I at Harry's the other night. He runs the restaurant and is quite a character. Check out his glasses, they are his trademark look:) He invited me to come back behind the bar.

 I just got back from dinner and it was delicious, soup, spinach and french fries, what a combo. Yum!

Well it's my last night in Florence heading to Rome in the morning. It has been a little sad each place I leave because I have met so many wonderful people. We will see what's next.

Ciao,

Love, Laura

Goodnight from Florence...See you in Rome

Thought for the day:

What you truly feel will be.....believe...