final day in rome... sigh.

I woke up this morning and walked to the Colloseo, of course I did, and grabbed a tour of the place so I could get more of the history. I was never a good history student, but if I had lived here growing up, I am confident I would have been better...not great, just better. Walking through the ancient buildings is unbelieveable. Rob you would LOVE this place!

All the way through the Colloseo I kept thinking, in America, we would some how turn this into a marketing opportinity.Someones logo would be slapped up on this building and it would take away from the history and richness of it. It is all about the sponsorship in the USA. Look at all the College Bowl games...the Tostito's Bowl just IS NOT the same as the Rose Bowl now is it? Yankee Stadium vs Coors Field, you get my drift. Anyhow, I had to laugh as when the tour guide took us from the Colloseo to the Forum (not the shops in Vegas, the real deal, in fact there were NO shops there) he said how Coca Cola has offered the money to restore the Colloseo, in exchange to put their name up there....really???

But thankfully Italy has declined ..so far. The Knights of Columbus from the US gave the millions (I believe $9mm) to restore part of the Vatican, and they just get mentioned in a tour, no logo up on the vatican walls.

Suddenly I feel like Andy Rooney...sorry about that...sort of :)

The above photo is from the Forum area. I have many more shots I took with my camera, the place is ENORMOUS. . .note to future travelers...this stuff is tons of stairs and hills. Be prepared. Also realize most streets here are cobble stone, brick or uneven pavement... bring flat shoes. The women in Italy run around in stillettos, however I think most Americans would end up in the ER :)

I took the photo below to show a typical street vendor... fruit, crackers, pizza...and beer and vino.
It is crazy!

After I left the Forum, I grabbed the 117 bus to the Spanish Steps. (see below). There are 99 of these steps and people are sitting on them constantly just hanging out. It amazes me the amount of people always in the streets here. It is like no one works??

It is a very cool area. tons of high end shopping (see Sex and the City blog 2 down). I wandered into Louis V to look at this amazing purse, which i wil lsome day own, and in the back area young women were lined up to buy more Louis.. like it was the Gap and they were having a sale.
Um, I felt very out of place.

I walked all around the area, there are about 3 main blocks of high end shopping near the Spanish Steps. Mom, Marj, Tracy, Rob and Mary R... you would LOVE it! I did manage to buy some very hot Italian black leather gloves. They are awesome and so soft :)

So, this is it for Rome. Sigh. Tomorrow I head to the Stazione Termini and catch my train to Florence...Suzi should be on a plane to meet me there right now!! Yahoo!

I am quite sad to leave Rome, and hope that Florence touches me the way Rome has. I can not explain how incredible Rome has been for me, or maybe I can as I have been blogging about it and gushing, but now know why since I was a little girl that I have wanted ... no needed...to come here. I will come back...and plan to get some of you to come with me :) I wonder how long till BBY comes here so I can work here?? hmmmm...

Not sure if I will be graced with a Internet Cafe at next door to my hotel in Florence and beyond like I have been in Rome...but for sure I can post photos with a few notes from my phone if not. Please keep the comments coming, it is fun to hear from all of you and also noticed I have 10 people "following me"... right on crouton! (oh and Nancy I love the photo...Amy Winehouse?)

till Florence... this is KK saying arrivederci!
PS. Warns: Tell Jimmy dogs are welcome everywhere here, he would like it here :)

self portrait...not pretty, but rome!

This is at the top of the Spanish Steps at dusk.
It was FAR more beautiful in person as the sun set.

and after all the window shopping...

A quick rest stop at the cafe, J.White this is SO much better than Starbucks.
Plus you order wine or Champagne and they give you food too (lets see Starbucks do that!). At the first place I stopped (there were 2 Champagne stops) I was standing at the bar with other customers when this little old lady came in for what must be her "usual". Next thing I knew she took my snacks right off my plate and walked away to eat them with her drinks... I didn't care...but found it very humorous :)

my sex and the city moment in Rome

note this is a designer clothing store for children... look at small manicans...scary.

it was so fun window shopping..."hello lover" about came out of my mouth at a few of the stores. ala carrie bradshaw.

wed lunch

Well I don't know what happened to the post that I typed when I sent this photos...
but I did have an explanation with it. This was a late lunch (but of course) and I had a margarita pizza and champagne... why wouldn't I? Seriously this is so not unusual here, every place with food or coffee or dessert...also has liquor of any kind. I am craving something light bad already... but can not find it. Every thing, and I mean every thing here is all about bread and cheese and sauces. My tummy will never make it 2 weeks in Italy if I don't find healthy food soon! ciao!

kk

tuesday

Today started out late, I have no clock in my room and my phone doesn't have an alarm, WTF? So I woke up late, but I am on vacation and today had no plans so it was great :)

I decided to head out to the Vatican to pick up my papal audience tickets. grabbed the #64 and started to feel like I belonged. Got through security quickly, there were NO lines and headed up the roped off stairs to get my ticket. I was greeted my a Swiss guard who explained the tickets would not be available till 3:00 (really?!). So we stood there chatting about tomorrows mass and what time he thought i should get myself to St Peters Square and what exactly the "Popes Legacy Tour" was that I was signed up for. turns out, he explained with a smile on his face like "isn't she a cute and innocent American", the tour is the Pope in his little bullet proof car driving around so i can see him. Oh! Sweet!

So I asked a few more questions and he looked at me and said "just you?" I said yes and he then gave me my ticket for the Papal Audience..see people just be friendly and nice does get you what you want :) He didn't know if I had the special section tickets (meaning up on the Vatican steps) but this gets me a seat for sure and now I just have to get there tomorrow bright and early to get a good one.

I then wandered off to find the Sistine Chapel. I swear every 2 feet there is a priest so that helps when I need directions...or feel like confessing to something :) I found a lovely priest who instead of just telling me how to get there, walked me part way. People are nice in the Vatican City. I also decided for a priest or nun, this must be like going to the Super Bowl...seriously! Or being called up to the Big Show in MLB. Imagine coming here to do God's work vs...oh I don't know somwhere in the middle of no where. Anyways, I just see the joy in their eyes and think it is really cool.

Below are photos of the Vatican Museum. I was actually teary eyed again (perhaps hormones, but I think I was just overwhelmed). I took countless Art History classes in college and here I was in front of things I studied. My prof in college always said to know it, is to visit it in person...and she was right. I love Raphael and Michelangelo. the fresco's they painted are unbelievable!! Every inch of this HUGE building is filled with art. Amazing rooms painted from top to bottom, including the ceilings...BEAUTIFUL! Arloa there is a room with nothing but painted maps :) They wind you through the place, through many galleries and rooms and then at the end you get to the one and only Sistine Chapel. WOW. I took some forbidden photos but I just couldn't help myself, I wanted you all to see it and to share...it is awesome in person...and I will just grab a priest tomorrow and ask for forgivness!

I wish I could take you each through this place...honestly if you are into art or not, it is just simply incredible on so many levels.

Tip for when you go: My aunt got my tour in advance, but that was not till Thursday. Meaning 3 days going to the Vatican on tours. Get your tours on one day... also today, there were NO lines to the Vatican Museum, so I ate the cost of the tour Thursday and went on my own today with rented audio tour...which I MUCH prefer. Going through museums is not my scene... so I like to go at my pace. I blow through some things and others I sit for a good amount of time at. I recommend the audio tour (6 euros)...or grab a guy on the street for 40euros and skip the lines if they have long lines and get a personalized tour...but like i said I had NO lines. I know the time of year helps me right now.

I then went and grabbed a late lunch, this seems to be what I do here. See earlier blog. OMG ...good food. I am skipping dinner, as well ... on my way to the hotel and Internet cafe I decided to stop at the cafe for some Champagne. I love a coffee house with that :) Teri are you shaking your head? :)

I also found my way on the Metro (subway) today to the Plaza della Republica. It was easy...even easier than in NYC! I wandered through the streets over in that area stopping for the famous Italian hot chocolate. It was mint flavored (shot out to Jen White here). It was very strong and thick...not exactly the sugar free swiss miss I make at home...but it did the trick ;) I stopped by the Opera house and thought about going, but no performances the next few nights... so I am not going.

I think that is it. No major purchases today...I am going to the Spanish Steps after time with the Pope tomorrow and I may do some damage there... I hear the shopping is amazing.

Thanks for all the comments my "followers", it is fun to see them!

Till tomorrow, KK

PS. All photos I am posting are from my phone. I have a gazillion more on my camera that are better and will edit to a reasonable amount and share when I get back to the USA.

also to my followers who are commenting on my food... no, no red wine today. I decided Champagne was much better :)

lunch...all for 11euros!

i dont think i will need dinner. italy is all about big lunches! ravioli (was oh so yummy!), roasted (to perfection) chicken, salad, fruit. i am going to have to walk for hours to burn it off....but man is it bueno!

i had an adventure in vatican city today. will send photos and tell more tonight.

kk

dinner food porn

pomedorre al americancia (or something like that) as forthe wine, its the bottle or nothing...so i got the bottle. thinking i can bring it home??

Vatican Scavi tour & Walking all over Rome

Well I was thinking today, how will I ever be able to truly capture the experience of Rome for all of you? It is sort of like the lines in a Sound of Music song "how do you catch a wave and pin it down?, how do you catch a moon beam in your hand?" ... I believe you have to live it to truly "get it".

But I will still try :) I started my day by hopping the number 64 city bus to the Vatican (why wouldn't I?). I found my way to the entrance for the Scavi tour. A tour of underneath the Vatican where there are many tombs, including St Peters. IT WAS FASCINATING! I know some of you are reading my blog for ideas for your trip to Rome... this is a MUST! You do need to request a ticket at least 3 weeks in advance. Ellen hooked me up, I can say it is SO worth it!

The other nice part is you go in through a Swiss Guarded entrance with no lines, and at the end of the tour you are left to go into the Basilica with no waiting. You are just there! Nice!

My only thing that went "wrong" was that I left the guarded area thinking I had to go back to the information area for my tickets to the Papal Audience on Wednesday, and it turns out I needed to go in the guarded area to get them, which would have meant an hour to two hour wait... I decided I would come back.

I then wondered all over Rome. Heather gave me a great book "24 walks in Rome". It was very helpful today. The thing about Rome is, every time you turn a corner....bam there is an amazing monument or building and piece of history. It is stunning!

I found my way to Castel S Angelo just across from the Vatican but it was closed (mondays). On my way there I passed Vatican Radio. I sent a photo to Amy saying she shoudl move here and work! So I started across the oldest bridge in Rome Ponte S Anglo and started wandering. I met a young Italian man who was wearing an Obama shirt. He told me how they had a party for Obama because they love him... people he is loved every where I go. He also offered to go site seeing tomorrow at no charge, haven't decided yet what I want to do tomorrow.

As I was wandering around I found a pair of great brown Italian made leather boots. Done and done - they are now in my hotel room :) I must say walking around for 4 more hours after buying those did get tiresome :)

I also found my way to (oops drawing a blank and do not have a map with for the official name) but it is the Artists Square. I bought an incredible oil painting on canvas. I am so excited about it!!! It will go nicely with the oil painting my grandparents bought in Europe that I now have.

I also found my way to the Pantheon. WOW! And how cool that all these things I learned about in art history are here in front of me! The Pantheon square was very fun to hang out in too. Basically ... Rome is AWESOME and I am in LOVE with it!

I kept getting lost, sort of, as I would always figure out where I was. I stopped and met a lot of people for directions and met really nice people. People from Vancouver, Dallas & Montreal. I am tired. I walked about 9 hours today... and not in my Asics from the 3day :)

Thanks for the comments on the food, I promise to keep the food porn coming.... I am off to dinner so maybe some tonight?

Below are photos from St Peters Basilica, the Artists Square and some other monument I stumbled across walking home.

Arrivederci! KK

PS: Happy Anniversary to Mom and Mitch! Hope you loved Jersey Boys!

lunch in rome

gnocchi with spicy sauce and the woman insisted i also get meatballs. so i did.

i will recap the amazing scavi tour at vatican later tonight from the internet cafe....but now, i eat!

omg....look where i am

Ciao!
I made it to Rome about 12:30pm Rome time today (Sunday to me). I learned quickly that the travel books are all correct in that you will be harassed by taxi drivers as soon as you get out of customs. Luckily my super awesome travel agent, who is also my aunt, Ellen had prebooked a shuttle for me and repaid it too. So it was super easy to find my driver and he was very friendly and welcoming ' but didn't speak a lick of English. He also dropped me off at the wrong hotel, insisting it was where I needed to be. So I rang the manager and he came down all 3 flights to get me and carry my luggage up...then told me I was at the wrong hotel...but no worries I wasn't that far. I must say the people have been very helpful and friendly so far.

I probably had to walk about a 1/2 mile, but I was in ROME people and who would care?? Not me! Italy so far is everything I dreamed it would be (my whole 5 hours here so far). While walking to my hotel I was asked if I wanted to sample wine right there on the street....um yes please!

I finally found my very unassuming hotel. Sunset Hotel. I was greeted by Anna and her adorable doggie! I loved that. She got out a map and told me all the places to go, not to go and what buses to take to the Vatican tomorrow. She is very sweet and told me to let her know if I needed anything. I feel like I am staying at her home. I am up on the 2nd floor and my windows open up to a great view of plants and flowers and buildings- it is just awesome.

OH and here is a great note... as I was walking to my hotel, I got to the street it was on and turned left....and there is the Colosseo. Seriously! At the end of the street that my hotel is on- it is unbelievable.

So I unpacked and got settled and headed out ... trying to stay awake till 7;30-8:00.

I grabbed some pizza (it was just okay = anna told me of a better place to check out). I then walked to the Colosseo(note photo above). I met 3 people from Louisiana who are here because their kids are getting married here. They were very nice and the husband even got in my photo. They will be at the Vatican Wednesday when I am as the kids want their vows blessed by the Pope, and I am attending mass with the Pope that same day. She has to wear her wedding dress there to be blessed.

I just stopped and bought some vino, grapes and cheese for dinner and gong to head back to my hotel to get a good nights sleep. As the young Italian boy was opening my wine fo rme he asked where i was from. I told him USA, he laughed and said "ugh Bush!", I said "no no no", and he said "Obama?" with a big smile and I said YES!

I am exhausted!!!!

Buonasera, Kari