Shalom

Shalom

Sorry about missing my day last week… I know you guys had an uncontainable excitement about my post and I let you down. Oh well I’ll give you a brief summary of our day at the Colloseum.

We headed over to the Colloseum from our hotel pretty early so we could tour the inside on our own before our underground and third level tour (you have to have a tour guide to see both things). After we finished looking on our own we had to wait an hour for our actual tour so we found some shade and put our feet up before the second leg of the day.

Like father like son 

just catchin' some z's 

Next we got to go underground to the “backstage” for the gladiators. This was pretty cool because there were endless tunnels and passageways that you would never know were there unless you went down. Also, you could see the waterways where they would bring in water to have naval battles in the Colloseum. The size of the structure was awe striking. How could an ancient civilization build something with such perfection without the technology and experience we have today?

from ground level

from third level

so many passageways

from the arena floor

Later that night we met up with Carissa’s friend Melissa again for dinner and there was a full moon so we walked over to the Colloseum again to take some pictures (something I never get tired of)… i'm not joking

Not too shabby

friends

Ok, now for the real post of the day…

This morning we leisurely woke up and had breakfast together. After we ate, Justin, Carissa, and my dad headed down to the beach for a final swim/sun session and my mom and I stayed back and packed and hung out. Around noon we started walking to the train station for our 12:40 train. After two train transfers we were only one short ride from the airport when an announcement came through the loudspeaker and said that our “train has been canceled, we apologize if this causes any inconvenience”… its like, you serious? Oh no, no worries at all man we’ll just walk to the airport in a country where we only know how to say “hello”, “thank you”, and “non sparkling water”… anyways, we ended up finding a couple taxis to drive us there and we hurried through our check in and security and finally we got on the plane. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles my friends…

WE ON THE TRAIN DOE

WE STILL ON THE TRAIN DOE

alright were ready to be off the train... doe

Well. Here we are… sittin’ on a plane from Italy to London. Chillin’. Writing this blog. Eating mentos. Legs are cramping. It’s kinda hot in here. Why isn’t my AC working. Dad’s eating oatmeal. They don’t have flight attendants on European flights by the way, they have “Cabin Managers”. So elegant. Carissa don’t touch my mentos. Seriously… back away from the mentos.

Ok I’ll stop rambling. I hope you enjoyed an insight into what is currently going on in my mind.

We miss you guys a lot and can’t wait to be with you guys again! (some more than others)

Kidding.

Well kinda

Hasta la Pasta!!!

Spencer… who will soon be attaining a British accent. Prepare yourselves.

Blessings

Sike!! Theres more. After our plane ride we had our personal chauffer (Alfred) drive us to our hotel. Justin tried to jump in shotgun and got in on the wrong side cause were in the UK. LOL…

After about an hour drive we arrived at our “hotel”… more like palace. Literally. The place is called Taj Hotel Resorts and Palaces. The place is absolutely nuts!! First off, we drive through the gate and there is casually a red (sexy) Ferrari sitting there. Next, we go inside to check in while my dad is doing his thing (the business) my mom, Carissa, Justin and I are escorted into the lounge for complimentary drinks (tea, wine, cocktails, etc.)… Mom got champagne but the rest of us just had water (which the waiter was shocked by cause it’s free) lol.

When our room was ready we went up and were shown around and I must say, it is quite a bit different than our previous housing arrangements. We ate at the hotel’s Bistro, which may have been our best meal so far, and went to bed.

Supposedly this is where Royalty would stay when Buckingham Palace was full… dang… I’m banking on seeing some Olympians this week.

Honey Nut Cheerio my friends

Spencer

ps. sorry theres no pictures for the last day... we weren't in the picture taking mood... except me 0:)

Saturday, July 8, 2012

Loosing track of days now....must keep looking to a calendar. 

Our travels have taken us to Monterosso, Italy. Part of Cinque Terre (The 5 Lands). The beautiful place is a little off the beaten path, but well worth the trip, especially after going mostly nonstop in Paris and Rome. We are at the northern most town and the others are Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, 4 & Riomaggioe.

We are fortunate to have breakfast at the place we are staying – Hotel Margherita. Although Spencer is ready for some homemade French toast….it is great to have eggs, croissants, ham and café’! Most everything in Monterosso has been rebuilt since the flood last October. It is amazing to think of how much water flowed through these streets…..check this video out…..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQZGPbSpZ1Q. Compare these to current conditions….clean streets and some well need beach time!

There is a trail between The 5 Lands, but our plans for today…jump on the ferry and explore the other 4. Arriving at the ferry ticket booth, we quickly realized that Lisa did not bring her motion sickness pills. After a few prayers and great support from all, we decided to go ahead and make the trip. The water had some swell to it, so Lisa decided to be the last one on….& saving a seat for her right in front.

It was amazing…..she did great! She had no sea sickness at all… although that could not be said for everyone

We got off in Riomaggioe, checked out the town and decided to head to Manarola by foot. It is about a 20 minute walk along the coast…..molto bella (very beautiful)!

Food is always a source of interesting discussion. At this point, all were ready for a cheeseburger, fries and milkshake…..but we found a nice little place in Manarola.

After sustenance…..joined the crowd at the ferry line, watching the locals hop into the pounding surf…..then it was off to Vernazza. Carissa decided that more time on the beach was better than another town to see….so she stayed on the ferry and we checked out the town. It was busy as a train unloaded some passengers from a nearby cruise boat stop. Interestingly, we were walking by a couple of gentlemen who where introducing themselves to each other…..one from North Bend, the other from Issaquah…..and I had to throw out a “Maple Valley” with a wave and a smile! After meeting someone in our hotel from Kirkland, the world does not seem so big.

The rest of the day was pretty chill; Hanging out, a nap for some, then some dinner. Afterward, a stroll along the water and up to a convent at the top of the hill. Incredible view…..

Tomorrow we are off to London…..more blogging to follow

Ciao

Tim

Wed, 4th of July, 2012

Wednesday, 4th of July, 2012


Happy Independence Day!


Today we had a private tour of the Vatican Museum, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica. There is a strict dress code for the Basilica and the Chapel. No shorts, above-the-knee skirts, or bare shoulders for women, men and children. We were also told by our hotel manager that only sandals with a strap on the back were allowed, aka no flip-flops. After a couple clothing changes, we were out the door and on the Metro headed for the Vatican City.

The Pope's place, top floor 2nd window on the right

Swiss Army Guards

Place where St. Peter was crucified upside down

The Family w/ Irene

Our tour guide, Irene swept us through security and led us straight to the Pinacoteca (art gallery). The gallery has a collection of 460 paintings in 18 rooms, with some masterpieces of the greatest artists of Italian history, Giotto, Raphael and Leonardo to name a few. A little side note, there were tons of people wearing shorts, tank tops and flip-flops. I guess they didn't read Rick Steve's guide to Rome. :)

Next we explored the Vatican Museum. We viewed  ancient Greek and Roman sculptures (as if we haven't had enough of those already), although all the naked men sculptures had fig leaves added to them centuries later. Further on were the tapestries showing scenes from Jesus' life. They were beautiful and so intricate, that some of the scenes seemed to follow you as you walked past them, almost 3-D like. Thanks to our guide, Irene we probably noticed more detail and obscurities than if we were on our own. She also picked out the highlights for us to see, otherwise we'd probably still be there.

Belvedere Torso (This ancient sculpture inspired Michelangelo and Raphael)

Fig leave man



Tapestry

Irene deciphering the tapestry map for us

Irene helping us understand floor art

Now onto see the big daddy, the Sistine Chapel. Up until now we could take photos without flash, but no cameras were allowed in the chapel, or at least that's what the 20 or so signs said before entering the room. Well low and behold we entered the chapel (which was amazing), and there were 50 to 60 people taking pictures and half of them had flashes going off. I guess the guards were tired this day, but I was really bothered by the whole thing. I thought the reason for no flash was to preserve this great treasure. Ughh!

Anyways, I wish we could have gone back just so I could spend 3 hours observing and pondering this amazing room, which by the way is the same dimensions as Solomon's Temple. Sorry we don't have any photos to show you! :)

We ended with St. Peter's Basilica. This too is a place that needs it's own day to properly experience it. This church is HUGE! It is filled with historical significance, architecural significance, biblical significance and spiritual significance. There are statues, alters, and tombs (oh my!)




The Holy Door is only opened during a Holy Year (Jubilee), which is every 25 years

Papal Alter

Statue of St. Peter

St. Peter's Tomb

The tours we have gone on have been pretty intense. We as a family don't do much talking while touring, other than a few comments here and there. Most places have been packed with people, and we are focused on understanding what we are looking at or walking through. I think that's part of the reason we are so wiped out afterwards.
Our meals still continue to be a time for us to relax, laugh, and reflect on the day. For the most part our food experiences have been delightful. Paris still kicks butt in the bread and pastry category, but the pasta, pesto and focaccia has been my Italian favorites.

Best steak so far, filet with a balsalmic reduction. Yummy!

Lasagna and lemon soda

Minestrone soup

Campo de Fiori- a lively square w/ great people watching

Rome has been an historical adventure, but I can honestly say that my heart belongs to the seaside. I cannot wait to get to the Beach!

Ciao!

Lisa