When in Rome {Day 2}

We arrived late last night and got checked into our hotel, the Cinquantatre above a bar on Via de San Basilio. Very pretty little place. We were in Room #502.

We got up pretty early and headed out to cross the Tiber River {Fiume Tevere} over the Saint Angelo Bridge {Ponte Sant'Angelo}. It's also known as Hadrian's Bridge. It was constructed in 134 CE and was adorned with statues in 1669. There are 5 angels on each side of the bridge holding items known as "instruments of the passion" meaning items that were involved in the death of the jesus figure.
We entered the Castel Sant'Angelo and headed to the top. From there the view of the Vatican is pretty spectacular!

We left the castle and headed down the Tiber towards the Piazza del Poppolo, the People's Plaza. It was raining, se we really didn't get any super pictures.

We headed over to the Pantheon-- Can't believe this thing was built in 126 CE!

Little stop down the road to Trajan's Market

Last stop for the day at the Colosseum

Welcome to Rome {Day 1}

Arrived in Rome pretty late. Really only had time to check into the hotel since it was dark and take a little stroll down to the colosseum and the forum. Took a few pictures...

Rome for the First Time

I had the opportunity to visit Rome, even though it was only for a day, with my friend, and I jumped at the chance. I had only been in Italy about 4 months and this was my first real trip. We got to the DaVinci Airport in Fuimicino, took the train to Rome and arrived at the Roma Termini Station and began the long walk down Via Giovanni Giolitti about a mile to Viale Manzoni until we got to our little place, Hotel Luzzatti. It was a lot further than we had realized from the map. We'll know better next time we plan a trip.

We began our walk that ended up being about a mile and a half down Via
 Labicana. You never forget the first time you walk about the corner and see the hint of the top of the ruins of the Colosseum.  1900 years ago this was being built. It's hard to imagine.

We went inside and walked around... weird feeling being in the place that you know someone once walked almost two thousand years ago.

We left the Colosseum and headed over to the Forum and into the ruins of Palatine Hill.

 Left the Forum and headed up the ramp into the back corner of the Piazza del Campidoglio.

Headed down the stairs to the the Via del Teatro di Marcello and made it to the front of the Monument dedicated to the memory of unified Italy's first King.

A quick stop at the Trevi Fountain.. It was raining too hard to get a good picture, but we tried. Needless to say, the rain forced me to purchase a new hat to keep the rain out of my eyes. I found this fancy black one that is reminiscent of a chauffeur's hat at a street vendor for 6 Euros. What a deal!

Made some time for lunch and it finally stopped raining! Made it back towards the colosseum and stopped to view the ruins of Trajan's Market.

We started walking toward the Tiber and got to Piazza Argentina. There is a lower cropping of ruins there that is called the Area Sacra. There are four temples there that date back to about 400 bce.

From there to the Pantheon.

Piazza Navona

Castel Sant'Angelo

Vatican City

And that was it for the trip. Back on the ferry and home. What a wonderful first time in Rome.

Santa Teresa di Gallura

Santa Teresa di Gallura is on the Northern tip of Sardinia on the the Straits of Bonifacio facing the French island of Corsica. It's about a 20 minute drive from our house.

(Some scenes from James Bond -The Spy Who Loved Me were filmed here.)

It's also the site of the ancient city of Tibula from the year 168.

We were about to climb those stairs back there to get to Longosardo Tower.. Built in the 16th century.

Notice Terry's wet leg-- yeah, he fell in the water..

La Maddalena

Guardare l'Alba

Guardare l'Alba

Watching the Dawn

I was up early today.. close to 4:30 am. I stood on the balcony and watched the city street lights fade away into the early morning start of yellow, gold, and pink. The following were taken over the time period of about 2 hours.

Nuove Abitudini

Nuove Abitudini

New Habits

So many things have changed in the few months since we moved to Sardinia. There are a lot of things that take some getting used to. Such as LAUNDRY! We have a washer but the dryer is super expensive to run, so I copied the locals and bought some laundry racks that hang over the balcony and have stated hanging everything in the fresh air. Reminds me of growing up when my mom would hang stuff on the line. I have definitely lost a few pair of socks!

 This kitchen is going to take some getting used to as well. There is definitely not a lot of space to store like we would have in the States. I've been learning how to buy for a few days at a time. On the plus side, more fresh food and local vegetables!

 Living Room does not really have a lot to get used to once we put our stuff in the room. Only difference is the amount of plugged in items has to be carefully managed or the fuses will blow. SO much for running the tv, fridge, and the microwave!

Look at all of that MARBLE floor! I thought at first that I would love it however, the hard floor is killing my feet! I find myself wearing tennis shoes or flip flops all of the time! Did I mention that we are on the 3rd Floor? That set of stairs is a killer with groceries or water bottles!

The biggest difference is my boys. We left Teddy and Spot with their grandpa in Virginia Beach. It was too hot for them to come over and with their age, I didn't want to take a chance.

Again, once the bed was up, there was not too much difference. Except for the fact that 

Except for the fact that I don't have anywhere near enough space for my clothes and the tv won't work.

 Even with all of these changes, with the views that I have from the front and back of the house, I have to say, that the sacrifices are going to be worth it!