Day Three... Roma...

The "Keyhole" to the Vatican:

Museo Nazionale Romano- Palazzo Massimo Alle Terme:

MORE PICTURES TO COME!!!

I woke up today about 9:00 and it felt great! I still had a little trouble wanting to actually get out of bed; however, I was very excited to get the day going. One thing that followed me from the US is my inability to leave the “house” without cleaning my things up, having multiple wardrobe changes topping it off with my dance party. I hope I can loose some of that as the trip goes on.

Today was my first “day” alone… no Emanuele, Adry or Luca… just me, my i-pod, and my directions (I told the Concierge, Andrea, I refused to walk around with a map)… Andrea and Roberto (of the Concierge) had arranged for me to have appointments at the Colosseum on Thursday and Galleria de Borghese tomorrow. However, tomorrow is Italy’s “Independence Day” and there is a big festival with a parade and singing… I am thinking maybe because of this, the Vatican will be less crowded, as tourists love the “hot” thing… If that is the case, I will plan to go to the Vatican and St. Peter’s tomorrow and the Galleria and shopping on Friday.

Anyway, that was a side note… today I walked to the Museo Nazionale Romano Palazzo Massimo alle Terme (National Museum of Rome), near the train station, which of course means street vendors, tourists, garbage and even porn for sale… a little bit of everything, naturally. After detouring to various smaller attractions, I arrived at the museum and it was incredible. I walked slowly, to take it all in… it houses Roman marble statues with some Greek original pieces (which according to the man who worked there, is very rare). Seeing the pictures doesn’t do it justice, being up-close to such amazing art is indescribable… the heads of various ancient rulers, sons, wives etc. are right there in front of you and cannot help but think that at one time, these people were living. The descriptions ranged from vague to as specific as to the hairstyle and what they meant; yes, HAIRSTYLES HAD MEANINGS! I will not post all of the pictures but for those who want to see all of them, let me know and I will email them to you.

The only bummer was that my camera died halfway through the museum so I had to resort to my phone, and when that ran out of battery, I had to turn to the Flip (thank you, Karen)… As a result, the pictures are scattered and some are even in the form of a video. My thought was as long as the beauty was captured, it didn’t really matter what device I used. The entire Museum took me a little over two hours, as I tend to get lost in what I am doing and loose track of time. I think I could have stayed longer even after “seeing everything” but decided to leave due to lack of batteries! Thankfully, the 7 Euro ticket I purchased is good for 3 days, in the event I want to go back.

Now, I sit at my hotel, charging, tanning and blogging. When Emanuele gets off of work (who works???) we will go to Trevas, walk around the Jewish Ghetto and a few other “picture” places I have on “my list”… I brought my book which is entitled “100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go” because it references those places in Italy catered to the Donna travelers… so we can enjoy the masterpieces of art that “glorifies the womanly curves”, cooking classes “taught by revered grandmas”, shop “for what else… SHOES”, or paint “a Tuscan landscape”. One place in particular I can’t wait to see is the Santa Maria in Cosmedin. Upon entering, there is the infamous, Bocco della Verità (Mouth of Truth). Legend has it that if a liar was to stick his hand in the mouth of the large face carved from stone, it will get bitten off. I know a few people who would be leaving with only one hand.

Stay tuned for the evening events… as I am going to go get an espresso, see the Spanish Steps and go for a run before it is time to meet Emanuele.

Buonasera!!!

I’m back…

Well, I went and saw the Spanish Steps for REAL today, and I have to admit, the ONLY enjoyable part about them was the remarkable surrounding buildings and the architecture. The mass amount of people, the overpriced stores, and the in-your-face tourist vendors were all too chaotic for me. As a result, I snapped my pictures, put my headphones in and proceeded to explore on my own. It was not until I opened my mouth that the locals discovered I was American, and I must admit, I love it! I avoid a lot of aggressiveness that way… I did a bit of shopping; but I had no luck, yet… so I headed back to the hotel to get ready for dinner.

Emanuele informed me that another friend, Lorenzo, would be contacting me, which he did and arranged to meet us for dinner. However, not only did he meet us, he went out of his way to pick me up at my hotel. Again, I am so appreciative for the openhandedness of my new friends; they are incredible and have made my trip, without a doubt, top-notch. Tonight, we “killed two birds with one stone” by having dinner in the Trastevere neighborhood where we could walk around and eat Pizza... I cannot remember when I laughed so hard, let alone throughout the entire dinner. I could not have asked for a more enjoyable group to spend time with. I had the best time… walking, talking, laughing, playing photographer (thank you Emy) and learning bad words in Italian.

On the way back to my hotel, Lorenzo proceeded to show me a few more sights. One in particular, was a door where you look through the key hole and you see the Vatican perfectly. It was as clear as day, illuminated by a bright spotlight, it was unbelievable. It was as if I was looking into a telescope, without the telescope.

I said goodnight to Lorenzo and headed to my room, where I finally got to Skype with my Sister and my Boogie Boo!!!! He is getting so big and I miss him terribly but I know if he was old enough to understand, he would be so happy I am here!

Well goodnight Mi Amicos… Long day tomorrow… stay tuned!

Ciao Bellos e Bellas,
Ali

Day Two... Roma...

Spanish Steps:

Via Tripoli!:

Reggie Look-a-Like, Lorenzo:

Pantheon:

Trevi Fountain:

Il Giornale:

Oldest Cafe:

I woke up today about 8:11, I did not want to get out of bed, but did because I was meeting Adriana at the “Piazza de Espana”… The night before, she gave me detailed directions to this place… “walk down the steps, I will be waiting for you at the fountain with the little ship” she said to me. Perfecto, I can remember that! Apparently, I couldn’t, because somehow I managed to get lost. It was only three streets, so how I got lost, I have NO idea. Maybe it was my i-pod, my frequent stops to chat with the locals or just being oblivious, I have no clue… but I was definitely lost. After two phone calls to Adry and probably $100 in cell phone charges, we found each other.

We walked to out supposed meeting spot and trust me when I tell you, I must have been sleep walking… because these weren’t just any steps, they were the SPANISH STEPS. We laughed at my lack of direction and immediately went to grab our morning caffé and just walked and talked. She showed me all the Americanized stores (Gucci, Prada, Dior, Hermes, etc.), took me to the “mall” called the Galleria Alberto Sordi, showed me where the Roman newspaper is published, the oldest café in Rome, and of course, one of the most famous churches. Adry even got to reminisce and show me her old school!

Although Adry could not stay with me for a long time, she was an amazing guide… and a fabulous friend. We agreed it was also great to spend time together for our respective language progression. When she had to leave, Adry informed me Luca would be coming to take me to the other places on my list… I am telling you, I will never be able to repay my Roman friends for all they have done for me. And they NEVER even gave any of their generosity a second thought, they are truly special.

I met Luca and we went all over… the Trevi Fountain, Campo dé Fiori, Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Piazza del Popolo, Piazza Venezia, Capitol Hill and the popular Roman Forum. He briefed me on the history of each and then took me for my first Gelato at the famous gelateria, Giolitti’s. Most of all he was a trooper during the hunt for my computer adapter. Since the ones I brought only had two prongs and my computer cord has three. Luca took me from electronic store to electronic store, and we had no luck. One was near the neighborhood he, Emanuele and Andrea grew up in; which coincidently was on Via Tripoli… AMZAING… of course, I several took videos and pictures. Not only did we find “La Via de Mi Famiglia”, while Luca got gas, I spotted a messy, overstuffed computer-like store… and when I walked in to exhaust my last possibility for an adapter… this man (see video) saved my life for 2 Euros, 2 EUROS… I was like you mean 20 Euro, right? But he said no, so for only 2 Euro, I am back in action. So amicos, we owe this blog to him. As I childishly skipped out of the store in excitement, the men in the store told Luca to stop giving me so much wine… little did they know, that is just ME!

With the adapter in hand, Luca had to drop me at my hotel and hustle to work… As we were en- route, Luca was pulled over by the Polizia. What I gathered was that Luca’s registration did not match his license. Although I felt horrible, I had to catch it on film and take a few pictures of the event. Luca was very light-hearted and did not let it bother him or affect his mood (so opposite of me!)…

Then, when I arrived in my room, I was alone… for the very first time… I was alone. I decided to dress myself up, ask the concierge where the locals eat, and took myself to dinner. I went to Giovanni’s, had spinach stuffed raviolis and a plethora of vegetables. After, I was invited to Etablí (owned by Andrea’s friend, Massimo) to meet Massimo’s brother, Francesco, and a friend for dessert and wine. What happened next, I entirely sure… I arrived, had absolutely the best chocolate lava cake, great wine and amazing company… then, somehow this quaint, mellow, warm restaurant turned into what I can only describe as a disco. I met two German couples, in their 60’s, outside the restaurant and they were wasted, just having a blast. So they came into the restaurant the only way to explain the next two hours, is to watch the video below. After all said and done, I hopped on the scooter and got a night tour of Rome, which never gets old. When I got home, I was still laughing. How the night took a turn from Soloville to Crazytown, I will never know… but nonetheless, it still makes me laugh, even now as I recount the details.

So Bellos and Bellas, Enjoy and we meet again tomorrow!

xo- Ali