Ciao! from Rome!

Well, despite a snowstorm and a night with friends in Columbus, Connor and Griff arrived at our house at least an hour before the target time of 11:00 am. They viewed the "orientation video" and we filled them in on some details about the trip. Connor had been studying the map, and located our street. We all had a big laugh when I asked him if he could see where the subway was located and he informed me that food places weren't on the map.

The taxi arrived on time, and we headed to the airport. At check in, Connor's reservation didn't come up, but as he was wishing us bon voyage it suddenly appeared. Everyone's passport was in order so we got our boarding passes, went through security without incident and headed to gate D7 - even though we needed to be at C22. There is a reason I should wear glasses! But with plenty of time there was no panic.

We boarded, then the announcement that we would be waiting for some connecting passengers was made. We sat, and sat - for at least 1/2 hour. We were seated separately, and some of us - no names please - started to worry about making the connection. Connor and I were not the least bit concerned, as we knew there was a good hour and a half in Washington.

The flight from Washington to Rome was long - 8 1/2 hours. We were in Economy Plus, but it was still a long night with only a little sleep. We landed, sailed through passport control and customs, collected our baggage and exited to find our driver standing right there. A quick stop at the ATM, and we were on our way.

Our driver spoke only a little English, but he did point out some sights on the 45 minute ride, notably Circus Maxximus - WOW- and a pyramid that was 2020 years old. Traffic was nuts! Glad we are not driving. We got dropped off on the corner near our apartment and the apartment manager met us.

The apartment is really nice. Very modern inside, all wood floors, cool lighting and hip furniture. The kitchen is miniscule! No real room to store much so that will mean daily shopping. The bedrooms are big and have built in dressers and closets.

We unpacked and stowed our stuff, then headed out to find the supermarket. According to our directions it was an easy 3-minute walk, with basically only one turn. Could we find it? NO. We did find the post office, though, so if we want to mail anything we are set. And Griff spotted the perfect souvenir for Jenny - be very afraid, lol. We circled back around, asked at least 3 people who kept telling us it was just ahead - and FINALLY we located it. We had actually walked right by it on our first loop. And it is a bizzaro store. There are no aisles. All the departments are in little rooms- for example there is a fish room, a produce room, a cheese room, an adult beverage room is downstairs...crazy. Anyway, we got what we needed (lots from the previously mentioned adult beverage room, and stuff for breakfast and snacks).

And then we crashed. We slept for about 3 hours then got ready to head out again. We want to be over jet lag by tomorrow and that's what ya gotta do.

So, heading out again we decided to go to the Trevi Fountain. What a difference a little sleep makes! We could acually figure out where we were and how to get where we wanted to go. With nary a misstep we made it to this landmark. It is much bigger and whiter that I expected! Lots of people. Connor and Griff threw coins in -facing backward and over their shoulder - to ensure a return to Rome. We hung aroung a bit, then headed toward the Spanish Steps. A small false start, which Connor caught, and we were on our way. We looked at the Bernini sculpture of the boat, and then climbed to the top. We've taken lots of pictures, but it is just not possible to capture the light, and how it glows and makes the buildings almost look like they are a watercolor painting. Beautiful. And we were at the Spanish Steps at the perfect time, sunset.

We started toward another piazza, but turned around because I realized the church would be closed and we would be heading back that way tomorrow. Griff found an outfit in a shop window that he thought he could rock, but as it was around 3500 Euro he didn't even try it on. Our neighborhood is so cool - lots of cafes, shops, bars. And there is a gelato place two doors down. Griff is going online to do some flavor translation research. It looks so good!

Finally, we went to Pizza Ciro for dinner. It was way too early for the Italians, who dine very late, but we were hungry and this needs to be an early night so we can get on Italy time. We started with tall glasses of cold draft beer while we perused the menu. I had mentioned that Carly and Kelsey had tried snails in Paris - just throwing it down there. And while nobody went too far, we did have some interesting stuff, including rice balls, a meat and cheese stuffed fried olive, a potato croquette that was outstanding and fried mozzarella that was not so much bad as it was bland. But the pizza was the star! Oh my. We will be back. We wanted to make a nice impression on our waiter, and since he shook Ben's hand and high-fived a "ciao" with C & G I hope he remembers us. He also brought us each a shot glass of lemon gelato at the end of the meal - yum.

We are back at the apartment, chilling. C & G have made contact with their friend who lives here but not sure if they are going out or not. The weather was fine today, but the forecast still looks a little sketchy for tomorrow so we'll play it by ear. Pantheon? Maybe. Stay tuned.