Italy

We drove from Rome to Sorrento.  The drive was pretty easy, except for the last 20km which were on a very winding and narrow coastal road.  When we go to the hotel, they told us to pull the Fiat Minivan up the hilly drive to unload the luggage.  Let me just pause to note that driving a Fiat Minivan here is the equivalent of driving a Mac Truck in the US.  Cars were parked parallel along the drive except for one spot where two cars were backed into the wall and protruding into the driveway.  Dad helped me clear the two cars.  He said there was less than an inch on each side.  I was almost to the hotel doors when a small car came speeding down the hill motioning me to back down.  I had assumed that it was a one-way street.  A concierge came out to tell me that it was a two-way street and that I needed to back down.  <Ugly American On> I told him that there was no way I was going to clear those cars going backwards and that she was going to have to wait <Ugly American Off>.  He was very nice and offered to do it for me.  He ended up finding the owner of one of the poorly parked cars and getting him to move it.  Made me feel better that he wouldn't try either

We rode a bus out to the catacombs today.  Very interesting, but the commute and waiting was longer than the actual tour.  Ian left today for the USA.  The posts may be more difficult without his laptop.

Eric: We went inside the Coliseum today, toured the ruins of the Palatine Hill, & the Forum. We had lunch at Luigi’s right off of Vittorio Emanuele (near where we are staying). Our waiters were very nice, but the first one didn’t speak very much English. I was trying to order bread for everyone. The word in Italian is ‘Pane’ (pronounced Pay-Neigh). I didn’t pronounce it correctly and ended up saying something like Peen-Na. Apparently this means something VERY different from bread. It seems that I was trying to order ‘male organs’ for everyone…Our waiter looked very confused and surprised and then cracked up when he figured out that I wanted bread. He explained to me what I had said and I finally figured out what had happened. I apologized and Eve told him in Italian that I was ‘crazy’. When we left, we were exchanging first names. I told them just to call me ‘Eric Pane’. I hope I pronounced it correctly that time…

Eric: More on Rome…The apartment we are in is very small.  It has two bedrooms and is about 1000 sq ft.  It will be interesting to see how the next few days go.  Everything is closing down for Xmas.  We may be stuck inside for a while as not many shops will be open over the next few days.  There’s an Irish Pub close by that is supposed to be open for Xmas.  Also, a few of the Italian restaurants have been advertising that they will be open tomorrow.  We went to the local Tabacchi and stocked up on food just in case.  Linda bought three cans of Paprika Pringles (mmmmmm).  I picked DVD’s of a British TV show that I like called Peep Show.  We may watch those tonight since we have a DVD player in the apartment.

Eric: As it turns out, we don't have wireless access in the Rome Apartment.  I'm typing this in an Internet Cafe down the street.  I just want to say Merry Christmas to all of our friends and family.  We spent the day looking at tourist stuff and scouting out places that might be open tomorrow.  I think we're going to try and recreate the last scene from a Christmas Story and eat at the Chinese Restaurant on Xmas day.  I'll let you know in a couple of days...

Ian: Left Florence (Fierenze) today and drove in the rental van to Rome (Roma). Was about 275km from the villa in Tuscany to where we are staying in the apartment in northern Rome – not too far from the Vatican. Eve and Dad left early in the morning and took the train from Florence to Rome (they chose wisely). The express train for around $40 one way to Rome got them there in about 2.5 hrs where as our car ride on the Autostrada (interstate with toll of around $20) took around 5 hours with some stop-and-go gridlock along the way. I think we would have been better to have all taken the train instead of driving even if that was more expensive. Most of the public transportation seems pretty efficient so far. Driving in Rome was pretty crazy as well with all of the scooters and small cars zipping around.

Turning in Rental Van – no response yet?

Went to a piazza (plaza) near the neighborhood where we area staying and Dad bought a couple oversized donuts. While he was ordering donuts he was making fun of the cops since they were standing around the stand. Dad was so caught up in that and what he was saying that he (and all the rest of us) walked off without paying. The cops started yelling “Hello, Hello!!!” and trying to get Dad to come back and pay for the two donuts.

Eric: Ian & I walked to the local Tabacchi (think 7/11 but without gas and much better coffee). We both had the same thought on the way back…we really like Italy, but it makes us appreciate the US even more.

Eric:

Toured Florence today and shopped. We took the bus into Florence. Several people on the bus had overpowering B.O. Linda said it reminded her of our train ride from San Diego to Tijauna, Mexico a few years ago. It was cold today. Highs in the mid-40’s with a cold wind. There’s a possibility of snow tonight. We saw Michelangelo’s David and some other art stuff. Ian snuck some ‘illegal’ photos. Saw a lot of HUGE churches. I had my first gelato (Italian Ice Cream)- quite delicious. Had a great lunch- I had the veal steak. It was cooked like a beef steak would be (not breaded). Linda had Spaghetti Bolognese. It is bacon & eggs in spaghetti pasta. It was very good. The food here tastes so fresh. You don’t leave with that heavy feeling that you normally get eating Italian food in the US.

The parking is interesting in Florence. I understand now why they have such small cars. 1) There’s not very much space to park. 2) If they hit each other, it won’t be too much damage. We saw a large collection of Leonardo DaVinci’s sketches and concepts. Did you know that he actually sketched and planned the iPod, but never actually built it? Ian & I got in trouble in the museum for using our walkie talkies. Apparently we were on the same band as the museum security.

Eric: Ate at a restaurant right outside of San Dominco called Le Lance. We found a waiter and waitress that spoke English. Dad ordered his steak ‘well done’ and the waiter (without missing a beat and trying hard not to smile) said “Would you like French fries with that?”. He was very good-natured and funny. We had appetizers (that could be a full meal), entrees & two bottles of wine for 160 euros (about $208) before tip. Not really that bad for six people.

Ian: Still having fun driving the Fiat Mini-Van. (I stress the Mini) I couldn’t imagine driving and American size car or SUV here. I hit the wall of the entrance gate tonight trying to get the van into the compound. I’ve been trying to back in once I’m inside the compound to make leaving easier each time, but it reminds me of the Austin Powers movie scene because I have to turn the van back and forth 10 times to do it.

Ian: Made a trip to the supermarket and bought a bunch of local foods / snacks to have at the house. Saw lots of Italian ladies with their Gucci sunglasses, Louis Vuton purses at the market. Not many blondes running around at the market either – all dark complexion and dark hair!

Eric: Ian bought some Paprika Pringles- very delicious! Also, it cost two euros ($2.60) to use a shopping cart at the grocery store.

Ian: Saw our first road rage / fight on the ride home. Car cut off at motorcycle and they argued in the street while traffic stood still behind them. Wish we would have gotten a picture.

From Ian:

Florence airport is a tiny regional airport with only a few terminals. Reminds me of the Hilton Head, SC airport or something. Got our rental van from AVIS and the girl had been waiting a few hours for us with her boyfriend there. We tried to tip her 5 euros and she wouldn’t take it. Van is a Fiat, diesel 6 speed. Crammed in the Van because our luggage took up the back seat. So Linda rode on Eric’s lap and blocked my view to the mirror on that side so I really couldn’t see while driving. Since I couldn’t get the European maps for my gps in time I didn’t bring it and regretted it last night. We had google maps and the directions from Caroline (the travel agent – if that is what she really does – I have my doubts). Had a rough start finding our way all packed in the van and finally got lost about half way to the northern side of Florence on the way to our villa. Stopped and spoke with a guy at a hotel who spoke great English and he helped me with the map and got things straightened out. The street signs are ridiculously small if and when they have them and Eric navigated while I drove. We made our way after getting redirected by the hotel guy and arrived at our villa at 2:00am. Mrs. Romanazzi and her cats met us and let us in the villa. Got a shower and slept in my twin bed. Don’t think I’ve slept in a twin bed in over 10yrs – since having to sleep on the tiny beds at the Naval Academy.

From Ian:

Left Columbia and drove to Charlotte to catch a flight to Gatwick, England on U.S. Air. Arrived the morning of the 17^th. Upgraded everyone to business class with miles Eric had accrued over the last several years. Eve managed to sweet talk the guy on the phone and I was upgraded using only my 3000 existing us air miles. Seated next to business consultant (business psychology) from Greenville, SC. Owned his own business now (semi-retired). Served USAF in Vietnam and has been consulting 30+ years.

Dad tried to give away a extra legal pad he packed to everyone in business class. Good flight and start to the trip.

Here's where we are staying in Florence. Kind of a dump, huh?

Rico helping us pack for the trip:

My friend Chuck Ledford suggested that I blog about my trip to Italy. I'm going to give it a try.  I work with Chuck at Wake Forest Medical.  Also, I'm inspired by my friend Mike Teer who sent email messages on his trip to Italy earlier this year.