Day Zero. In this era of “instant” communication – twitter, instagram, snapchat etc. - messages might be limited to 140 typed characters or “less.” Maybe, no words at all, only an emoticon (-: or photograph , maybe blurred at that. Yes, I remember the axiom – one picture is worth a thousand words.
Well... I prefer spoken communication. Alas, a few have told me to limit my incessant “chatter.” Sure, I have thought of being brief, but, would miss what I was looking for – another person’s story I enjoyed and was interested in. I also want to to share with others, like you.
To some, I have replied what I learned from our “conversation.” I know, you talk, I listen. Then I talk, talk, talk and you maybe tune out. But... when I provide the details of what I remember or reviewed to get a better understating, realize they missed my many questions that they replied to before jumping to, unfortunately, my next item of interest.
I get "it" while I can. We’ve maybe have seen or heard the Latin term – carpe diem – seize the day.
I try to focus on the good of today, not maybe the not so good of yesterday, maybe the new “challenges” of tomorrow. Please accept my explanation that I mean no harm by my method. They might be thought of as brief conversations I see on the "tube" with “speed dating.” In a short amount of time – questions and answer are exchanged and the result is...?
My intent of this journal, has been to share my observations and interpretations of the experience – with bias to maybe looking at things with rose-colored glasses. Faulty? Maybe. But look at today's news in print or visuals and I think, where is the good in this place we call home?
Escapism? Yes, you have that right (-:
Hope you find something of interest.
For me, this is home sweet home – the BIG blue ball. Enjoy the journey (-:
Today there is no online photo album today.
Day 1 of 21 Saturday 27-Jun-2015 Enroute Rome
Why do I travel? I like to tell people I am a “lifelong learner.” So far, have not graduated from the “school of hard knocks.” Just after getting married, was drafted in the US Armed Forces. That big adventure was 1967-68, spending time in Vietnam. As one of the handful of advisors to the local province, Binh Dinh, learned a lot. First and foremost, you can’t believe all that you read (magazines & newspaper) or TV – reports from home regard what was shown. Typically, I felt the observations and interpretations were “incomplete,” not necessarily incorrect.
Was it the “whole truth?” Maybe.
To “learn” about anyplace, I feel I need to spend some time there. Not just what I see, but what did I - Do? Eat? My year there was spent at times traveling to other parts of the south part of the country. Like most places, something different in each area.
This adventure, we, Carol & I, do something different too. Plan an intergenerational adventure. Focus was on Road Scholar (RS) tour – Adventures Afloat: The Magic of Italy: A Grandparent Adventure by Riverboat. Program # 21395 July 8 - 17, 2015.
http://www.roadscholar.org/n/program/summary.aspx?id=1%2D6W4S1L&MC=
Summary: Program intended for grandchildren from 11 - 15 years of age.
Benvenuti in Italia! Let the River Po lead you and your grandchild on an unforgettable journey among the canals of enchanting northern Italy. Get your first taste of Italy in beautiful Verona, then step aboard a river barge for a five-night voyage back through the centuries, floating past tiny villages and lush landscapes and tasting the many flavors they produce. Come ashore again in Venice to learn about the canals, bridges, lagoon and medieval streets of one of Europe’s most magical cities.
After Carol & I agreed on that, asked 13 year old, Mya – are you interested? Without hesitation, answered – YES! One of her school friends told her about a trip her family took to Rome, this past summer. Mya asked, could we visit Rome too? Of course. Carol & I did an RS tour 2 years prior -
Italian Classics; Rome Florence & Venice Details @ Road Scholar #18206. We added extra days prior to the tour so she could visit the same locations we did – Rome plus Florence & Venice.
http://www.roadscholar.org//n/program/summary.aspx?id=1%2D4PBJNK&MC=
When our daughter, Mya’s mom Maggie, heard about the plans – asked – me too? Sure you and Dan can come to on the part prior to the tour.
So today, we all leave the same airport – but Maggie & Dan on a different flight since our reservations were made by RS.
Today’s Schedule
Get to Rome, using my 6 step process:
- Wake up at correct time. No problem today, since flight doesn’t leave until after 4 p.m.
- Taxi shows up when scheduled.
- Taxi gets us safely to airport.
- Get through TSA security check with no issues. All OK.
- Plane leaves on time – done.
- Planes arrives at correct airport – on time – done.
My Observations
When “somebody” else does the logistical planning, everything looks, easy. My experience - far from easy.
In our case, where do we meet Maggie in Rome airport? What transportation do we take from airport to hotel – Taxi? Train? Bus? Are we both using the same map for hotel location? Whose name is the reservation made under? And, as I will find out in Venice – did I get a confirmation numbers after numerous notes to hotels to get reservations made correctly? I’ll save that story until we get to Venice.
Here are internet links for highlights:
Airport – FCO - Fiumicino
http://www.rome-airport.info/in.html
http://europeforvisitors.com/rome/transportation/rome-fiumicino-airport.htm
Taxi – Take white color cabs with rate posted on door.
http://www.roninrome.com/transportation/new-taxi-rates-take-effect-in-rome
Train - Maggie & Dan took train to Termini.
http://www.roninrome.com/transportation/leonardo-express-the-trenitalia-nonstop-train-to-the-fiumicino-fco-airport
Bus – We took T.A.M bus line. Got us to same Termini train terminal. Just 2 short blocks from hotel.
http://www.adr.it/en/web/aeroporti-di-roma-en-/pax-fco-bus
http://www.tambus.it/index.php?lang=en
Photo 1 – See. Saw that our plane was on time (-:
Photo 2 - Do. Flew high above the clouds for 5,500 miles / 9,000 kilometers with nary a bump.
Photo 3 - Eat. Nothing fancy since we ate most meals at home. Had cookies and coffee while we bid our time for cab ride to airport.
Click here for today's online photo album.
Day 2 of 21 Sunday 28-Jun Rome
Today’s Schedule
Land safely @ the Roma airport and arrange for transport to hotel. Original plans were to meet daughter and husband @ Terminal 3, but since they were taking different flight – changes made that we would just meet @ hotel. Main train terminal is only blocks away from hotel so we have option – taxi, train or bus. Decide on bus, which allows us to see some chance to view countryside before entering town area.
We drag our suitcases a block and turn corner toward hotel, We find Maggie & Dann having breakfast at sidewalk café. We join them knowing we had an hour yet until room check in. The airline “box” breakfast was not filling, plus need to coffee to help adjust to 6 hour time difference.
When we get to hotel, find our friend, front desk manager Marco, has day off. We go to rooftop garden to show off spectacular panoramic view to our new visitors. Carol & I stayed @ Hotel Diana 2 years ago on prior tour with Road Scholar to to see classic art of Rome, Florence & Venice. Plan is to stay at hotels we know the location and happy with prior service.
Once on the roof, meet again with Ali from Afghanistan, who was very helpful on prior visit. He introduces us to a staff member who was there for a few months as student-worker from Portugal. As we talk with them, find out she goes to school in Coimbra Portugal. We visited her university last year on another RS tour. The school is noted for excellent education and capes the students wear – yes, just like in Harry Potter.
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/Portugal/Distrito_de_Coimbra/Coimbra-289328/Local_Customs-Coimbra-TG-C-1.html
After getting in our awesome rooms – a real update from last visit. Very nice (-:
Then, off to our potential daily schedule – walk as much as you can – so much to see just from block to block. Take them first to Cathedral Santa Maria Maggiore. Rather than adding my own photos, will let you “browse” via a virtual visit.
http://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/sm_maggiore/vr_tour/index-en.html
After that, head toward Coliseum. So much architectural antiquity is clustered in this area. We walk, walk, & walk. When I see the younger ones slowing down, decide to change direction, back toward hotel, maybe a 30 minute walk – if you don’t stop to see so much that is surrounding us.
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.9005603,12.4773822,15z
Once we got to Trajan's Column, a record to the many battles won by the Roman army, decide our “troops” need to be fed.
http://www.aviewoncities.com/rome/trajanscolumn.htm
All are hungry, so we settle for local small café and order food and drink. The weather was hot, so enjoyed a chance to sit in the shade. The walk back to the hotel was slow – with a stop for Gelato. One of many we have over the next several days.
My Observations
It’s great to be back. A chance to visit new places and revisit some favorites. Although the weather is hot, 38 C/100 F, we know that there are many places to stop for refreshment. From prior visits, have added names and contact information for many friends we have made. Each city has people we want to make sure we say – ciao – and renew friendship.
It’s been a long day – not much sleep on the airplane. So will make more comments in upcoming days. Will meet all for breakfast and decide – do go visit a place as a group? Or go our separate ways and meet for dinner?
Here are internet links for highlights:
Photo 1 - See. We call it coliseum in USA – Italy, it is the Colosseo.
Photo 2 - Do. We meet a friend from prior visit – Ali from Afghanistan.
Photo 3 - Eat. A very delicious pizza funghi (mushroom)
Click here for today's online photo album.
Day 3 of 21 Monday 29-Jun Rome
Today’s Schedule
Our schedule will be “flexible” over these next 2 weeks. While Maggie and Dan are with us, will let them choose where to go. In some cases may go with them. Mostly though, need to let them discover for them selves.
Maggie, Dan and Mya decided to get tickets and visit the Vatican and a catacomb location. The underground burial sites (catacombs are all over the city. All typically have niches carved into the stone walls where the dead were kept. Contrary to many “stories,” this was not a place where the Christians “hid” from the Roman soldiers. It was used for burials.
Carol & I decide to revisit Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri - Saint Mary of the Angels and Martyrs at the Diocletian Baths. Formerly the bathhouse of 2,000 years ago, then “remodeled” later by none other than Michelangelo.
http://www.santamariadegliangeliroma.it/index.htm?lingua=INGLESE&cambialingua=SI
Rather than add too much for each day, I will refer to a prior journal page from 2013 visit, with web links included.
http://2013-c2c-adventure.blogspot.com/2013/08/day-13-of-28-thursday-oct-31-2013.html
http://2013-c2c-adventure.blogspot.com/2013/08/day-14-of-28-friday-nov-1-2013.html
From there, see the fountain of Piazza on Via Nazionale. Then go up a few blocks to Via del Quirinale. The street where the last kings palace is — Palazzo del Quirinale.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quirinal_Palace
http://www.panoramicearth.com/4004/Rome/Palazzo_and_Piazza_del_Quirinale
We go on meandering up to the Spanish Steps – Scalinata Spagna. Sit a bit to watch the other people watchers, then head back to hotel.
http://www.youvisit.com/tour/rome
Check out the other Rome virtual visit options (-:
My Observations
Although I have titled this journal as 3Q, it could have just as been 3R – renew, reuse and recycle. Much of what we see it remade from things originally constructed over 2,000 years ago. What might have been discarded by a major palace builder, could have then been used for a less picky family home.
The area of Rome we will walk around over the next few days is amazing. No skyscrapers or other “modern” buildings - usually. To appreciate it all, I have to make sure I follow a pattern of history – art – culture. Without knowing the history, the art and culture can be greatly misunderstood. Prior to the formation of the Roman Empire, the Greeks had constructed many of the buildings and carved sculptures. The Romans, then either copied favorite Greek items, or attempted to make improvements.
Photo 1 - See. Mya and parents visit Vatican City – Most impressed by Saint Peters.
Photo 2 - Do. Carol filling water bottle at nasoni. The water coming from a “nose.”
http://www.lifeinitaly.com/tourism/lazio/nasoni-of-rome
Photo 3 - Eat. My favorite – pasta and clams. First time of many (-:
Click here for today's online photo album.
2015 3Q Day 3 of 21 Monday 29-Jun Rome
