La Dolce Vita

Well, this is our second day in Rome, but today was the first day we were able to enjoy breakfast here at the Hotel.

I can say the reviews about the breakfast were absolutely correct. This is more than you usually get in Italy for breakfast.

There were at least four of five different kinds of cornetti – the Italian mini-croissant, lots of cereal, fresh fruit, even bacon and eggs, mini rolls, ham and cheese – I liked it very much.

This morning we were able to finally catch up with D&D who were redirected to Pisa yesterday – their airline told them it was due to the fact that Industrial Action took place in Rome. I did look at the Rome Airport Website yesterday and only one flight did not land between five and six – BA from Gatwick – all other flights made it on time – so we wonder if maybe something was wrong with the plane and BA only told them it was Industrial Action so that no none would claim compensation because the provided bus trip from Pisa to Rome took them another four hours.

We walked with D&D to the Colloseum together and then we went separate ways. We went to Torre Argentina via Metro and Bus – note to ourselves do not take the bus in Rome in Fall / Winter. It was way to warm and sticky and not nice at all.

J and I separated as he wanted to explore la feltrinelli while I went to Campo di Fiori to explore the fruit and vegetable market:

nice assortment of pumpkins as well as

fresh chilies and pomegranates and a lot of different other very nice looking items:

I met up with J at the bookstore, we bought a few things, went across the street to the cat sanctuary and walked across the Tiber bridge and went looking for a nice place for lunch.

We thought about the place we went to the last time we were in Rome and after about an hour walking though all those lovely little streets, we did find the place again:

Aristocampo – on their little board in front of the restaurant it says “we are against the war and against the tourist menu” – the Menu is usually in inexpensive way to satisfy your appetite as restaurant visits in Rome can be very expensive – however we opted for this tourist menu free place – as we remembered very good food. We were not disappointed.

After a very nice Bruschetta

we both enjoyed pasta and left room for great desert.

Tiramisú and Panna Cotta con Nutella

both very very nice.

After a coffee we continued to walk along the river ( can you see more rain just as the weather forecast predicted LOL )

to catch a tram back to our hotel.

Well either the tram line does not run on weekends or something was wrong with the electricity but there was yet another bus instead of the tram – ugh another busride – very unpleasant again – from now on it will be Metro only!

As J is taking a powernap I am typing this – we will meet up with D&D later tonight – as they ventured over to the Vatican today to do St Peters and the Sistine Chapel.

T

Lucky First Day in Rome

We didn’t start out that good. I was cranky, always on edge. Torsten’s father fetched us – highway to airport in traffic jam. But he worked miracles, we arrived on time – even got a coffee in the lounge

– and off we went to Rome. When we arrived and waited for the luggage, Torsten listened to an announcement about a workers council meeting, but at that time didn’t pay much attention. The taxi was almost waiting for us and instead of showers of rain, we had the most splendid autumn sun.

After checking into the hotel we followed up on our last holiday highlights on foot:

Colosseum

Forum Romanum at sun set

Torre Argentina Cats

Pantheon

Trevi Fountain (which I hated at daylight, but is actually quite pretty at night)

and finally our dinner at our tiny tiny non-tourist restaurant Piazza di Spagna in the Vicolo Belsiana near the Spanish Steps where we obviously were the only guests tonight – Picture taken after dinner!

Unfortunately the plane of our friends D&D from Gatwick was (due to that mysterious workers council meeting ) redirected to Pisa where they are still waiting for a bus, which will take them in a relaxing 4 hours trip to Rome.

J

We survived Cuba

Yes, we made it. Finally. Barely.

Torsten’s last day with delicious food and chitty chatty – me on panic mode, accompanied by the announcement of the dismissal of 4 managers. They were “released”, which I normally associate with dolphins after treatment can finally swim into the open sea , into freedom.

So, while enjoying that freedom picture, we arrived at the airport (packed with cars), schlepped our 3 suitcases over half of it (now 60 kg, how did we do that?) until we faced our late-night-check-in-line of almost 50 people. But hey, they put our small tiny suitcases to shame. Yes, it was the Cuban flight. And it must have been evacuation day. And from the proportion of the luggage, I wouldn’t dismiss the idea that the Brandenburg Gate is now missing. How fortunate that there were only 2 counters open, that gave us nearly 2 hours time to enjoy the fantastic atmosphere of Tegel airport.

Finally at home we are finishing the last tiny touches (and looking frantically for lost and missing items) – but there is hope – tomorrow will come.

Less then 3 days

Time does fly – I think it has been more than 18 months since that one day Chris and Stefan told us about that new cruise ship that they will be travelling with and the rather inexpensive price for a 13 night cruise.

Jens and I thought about it and after some long talks paid our 900 USD deposit and booked our first ever cruise.

Now the flight to Rome is only three days away. We are packed. 3 suitcases and about 50 kilos ( 110 lbs. ) are waiting to be transported to the airport on Thursday night. We are going to make use of the late night check in and not worry about schlepping everything to the airport on the actual departure day. My ( Torsten ) Dad will pick us up on Friday and drive us to TXL airport.

We will be taking pictures and write about our adventures on here!

T

Pre-Cruise

All the preparations have been made, boarding the plane Friday,...

We both will finish work on Thursday around 6pm. We will bring our luggage to the airport and do a late-night check in - so that on Friday all we need to bring is our carry-on luggage.

We are very excited!