Our English adventure began to end in Rome! I am so thankful that Mike made us go in February, and not wait until April, because our life is moving us back to Tucson soon...
We made it to Rome just in time to witness and live the largest snowfall in Rome since 1958. Such a lot of snow!
So much, the minibus from our hotel was unable to pick us up after our first very long day in the city. There were no taxis to hail, the boys were in distress with frozen feet, and the hotel was a 2 kilometer walk up a steep, icy and slushy hill, in the dark! Mike pulled out his map and tiny flashlight and we studied the map trying to figure out the way back. I was panicked and said I couldn't do it, I couldn't bear to make them walk all the way back, my own feet were killing me, and we weren't even sure of the route.
Then something amazing happened.
Michael asked how far it was to the hotel, and we told him. He contemplated it for a moment and replied, "Two kilometers?! We've walked much farther than that before, let's do it!"
And with an attitude that gave me the strength to slog on, we moved along up the hill. I was blown away by my little man's courage and fortitude. I feel like he carried all of us up the hill that night. Also I was filled with contentment, realizing that our many family walks, often accompanied by lots of complaining, had paid off.
We made it back to the hotel and into a hot bath tub.
And awoke the next morning to a winter wonderland.
We made it to the Vatican Museum, playing in the snow the whole way. A highlight was seeing the Sistine Chapel with the boys, I hope they remember it.
We got through in time, because they closed the museum early due to lack of staff.
We walked over to Saint Peter's, but waited to go inside for another day.
When Mike told an acquaintance that we were going to Rome, her response was, "Rome?! So expensive!"
I took one look at our room service menu and gasped, $66.00 for one cheeseburger and one ice cream. "OH MY GOD IT'S SO EXPENSIVE!" I must have screamed.
Breakfast was included in our room reservation, so we lingered as long as possible hoping the boys would stuff themselves, tempted to walk out with pockets full of snacks. Then we ate lunch out in Rome, and brought back cheese, ham, bread, and apples for dinner.
Night two of this and Dominic screamed in tears, "THIS IS RUBBISH DINNER!"
We made it to the Borghese Gallery for our 1 PM appointment and it was closed, with this note on the door.
I was completely bummed, but the boys got over it.
Give them a stick and they are happy.
Such a beautiful city!
We loved this little basement restaurant tucked into a narrow street by the Piazza del Popolo, Il Brillo Parlante.
The weather remained COLD, but sunny and beautiful.
This church is Santa Maria del Popolo,
I love this place.
There are two Caravaggios, but one was on vacation...
This is the one we saw.
It was nearly raining everywhere we went as the snow very slowly melted off the roof tops. Michael discovered the fun of standing beneath a slow drip to observe the plummet.
The first day of travel and the last day were challenging, but all in all the boys were fantastic travel companions. We enjoyed the trip with them immensely, and we feel extremely fortunate.
Our Roman adventure continues in a future post. Also, please see Michael's Roman project blog post!
 |
| The first of the snow fall. |
We made it to Rome just in time to witness and live the largest snowfall in Rome since 1958. Such a lot of snow!
So much, the minibus from our hotel was unable to pick us up after our first very long day in the city. There were no taxis to hail, the boys were in distress with frozen feet, and the hotel was a 2 kilometer walk up a steep, icy and slushy hill, in the dark! Mike pulled out his map and tiny flashlight and we studied the map trying to figure out the way back. I was panicked and said I couldn't do it, I couldn't bear to make them walk all the way back, my own feet were killing me, and we weren't even sure of the route.
Then something amazing happened.
Michael asked how far it was to the hotel, and we told him. He contemplated it for a moment and replied, "Two kilometers?! We've walked much farther than that before, let's do it!"
And with an attitude that gave me the strength to slog on, we moved along up the hill. I was blown away by my little man's courage and fortitude. I feel like he carried all of us up the hill that night. Also I was filled with contentment, realizing that our many family walks, often accompanied by lots of complaining, had paid off.
We made it back to the hotel and into a hot bath tub.
And awoke the next morning to a winter wonderland.
 |
| Treacherous stairway! |
We made it to the Vatican Museum, playing in the snow the whole way. A highlight was seeing the Sistine Chapel with the boys, I hope they remember it.
We got through in time, because they closed the museum early due to lack of staff.
We walked over to Saint Peter's, but waited to go inside for another day.
 |
| Michael's toy Hulk makes a smashing gladiator! |
When Mike told an acquaintance that we were going to Rome, her response was, "Rome?! So expensive!"
I took one look at our room service menu and gasped, $66.00 for one cheeseburger and one ice cream. "OH MY GOD IT'S SO EXPENSIVE!" I must have screamed.
Breakfast was included in our room reservation, so we lingered as long as possible hoping the boys would stuff themselves, tempted to walk out with pockets full of snacks. Then we ate lunch out in Rome, and brought back cheese, ham, bread, and apples for dinner.
Night two of this and Dominic screamed in tears, "THIS IS RUBBISH DINNER!"
We made it to the Borghese Gallery for our 1 PM appointment and it was closed, with this note on the door.
I was completely bummed, but the boys got over it.
 |
| Sticks and snow! |
Give them a stick and they are happy.
Such a beautiful city!
We loved this little basement restaurant tucked into a narrow street by the Piazza del Popolo, Il Brillo Parlante.
The weather remained COLD, but sunny and beautiful.
This church is Santa Maria del Popolo,
In 1099, a chapel was built by Pope Paschal II to Our Lady, over a tomb of the Domitia family. Tradition has it that the site was haunted by Nero's ghost or demons in the form of black crows; therefore the pope chopped down the walnut tree sheltering the crows and built a church in its place. (Wikipedia)
I love this place.
 |
| One of my favorite ever, La Santa Muerte. |
There are two Caravaggios, but one was on vacation...
This is the one we saw.
 |
| From Wikipedia. |
It was nearly raining everywhere we went as the snow very slowly melted off the roof tops. Michael discovered the fun of standing beneath a slow drip to observe the plummet.
 |
| Precious baby boy, missed his brother and sister! |
 |
| Side view of Trevi Fountain. |
Our Roman adventure continues in a future post. Also, please see Michael's Roman project blog post!
No comments:
Post a Comment