Shay’s Blog

Greetings Family and Friends,

This email begins where the last left off.

As we left Vatican City I was approached by a woman who obviously has seen to many American Hip Hop videos because she referred to me as “Ma” to get my attention to buy something on the street. Very classic moment.

That night, after a lovely siesta, Tom and I tried to see a movie at the cinema near our hotel. It became quite clear that it wasn’t going to work. No movies in English. No movies with subtitles. So we proceeded to a small (and empty) restaurant down the street. I had a great fillet mingnon and Tom had veal (poor babies). I must say that the cost of dining out can take a toll on you in this city. We thought it would be like eating out in NYC but it’s a lot different when you can alter between supermarket purchased foods and the ristorante on the Tiber.

Yesterday was another good day. We started out at the Colosseum (http://www.colosseo.org/) where we were bombarded with tour guides, men selling belts, women selling scarves, and a man who sold me a broken cone of gelati (agh!). We were scolded by men who wanted us to take pictures with them, but I already knew that game. No more men in Roman get-ups are gonna fool me! And I must say that I’m glad we doubted the tour guides when we were told that we’d have to wait in line for 25 minutes just to get tickets. Our total wait time: 12 minutes. It seems like everyone tells us we’ll have to wait enormous amounts of time only to be ushered in in a matter of minutes. The Vatican Museum was supposed to be 4 hours but we got in in 30 minutes or less. So close to being free.

While in the Colosseum, the rain came-so we decided to take shelter in a nearby cafe. It was great fettuccine and spaghetti. Multo bene! Once the rain died down a little and our bellies were full, we journeyed to the Palatine ( http://www.roma2000.it/pala.html) and the Foro Romano (http://www.archeoroma.com/foro_romano.htm). Beautiful ruins of the old Roman Forum. Unfortunately there are no pictures I can share as we do not have access to a personal computer onto which we can upload. But you will all see them upon our return. I must say there are so many beautiful things to see here, it’s a bit overwhelming to take it all in.

Today we visited the famous St. Peter’s Basilica (http://www.stpetersbasilica.org/). In this vast church, I took very few pictures as there was nothing that could truly translate onto film. The majestic beauty of the architecture was literally breathtaking. We journeyed beneath the church into the tombs of great Popes. There I saw the memorial of Pope John Paul II and the tomb of St. Peter himself. And, yes, I did say a little prayer. It was all sincerely beautiful. I will admit that I didnà t understand the people taking pictures of peoples tombs/graves.

So now we are wating for 1pm when we may journey to the top of the domes of St. Peter’s where there is rumored to be some of the best views of the city.

And on a side note: the people here stare…a lot. So I’ve begun fighting the stares with my very own American way of defense…I stick my tongue out at them until they’re forced to stop. :-p

So Ciao Bellisimi

Until next time

Sharon

P.S. Baby Drapeau is still kicking and really likes this authentic Italian food.