SORRENTO - Monday March 22, 2010

Monday March 22, 2010

Greetings!

Barb left yesterday morning for London (UK). She will spend 2 days there due to the British Airways strike and then onto Calgary via Dallas (again due to the BA strike). The airline strike really messed up her trip home which was supposed to be direct from London to Calgary. Oh well; can’t change it so she’s going to tour London a bit and hopefully get to go by her old house where they lived when she was born. Her Dad was in the RCAF and posted in Middlesex at the time of her birth.

Some of you are wondering about now why Barb is going back. It was planned that way from the beginning as her Brother will be away for a couple of weeks so Barb will go stay with her Mom in Kelowna.

THE PEOPLE

We’ve met so many interesting people I cant remember them all and I will have to skip others for reasons of space. 

The other day we stopped at a cafe and met a couple from Connecticut. They were in their 70’s and were having a ball. They must have a few dollars because we discussed their boat that they blue water sail in (way, way out in the ocean) and the power boat that she had before that. She didn’t like the power boat (of considerable size) so sent it down to her nephew in Florida. They love sailing and travel even at their age.

Another one was a lady in a restaurant. We were having lunch on the main square and the waiter sat 5 ladies in their 30’s down beside us. As usual Barb got to chatting with the one next to her who happened to be from Sorrento but was living in New York. She said she was in the “fashion business” and travelled back and forth from New York to MIlan. She went on about how she missed her family so much so she took a side trip back home and that’s why she was here. Sounded like one of those lifestyles young woman dream of for a career; but as reality checks in she was getting tired of it?

Another lady in her mid 60’s was wearing this unreal perfume. I finally got Barb to ask her what it was. As things would have it we both forgot the name she had told us. I had later stopped into a pub at the top of Positano (same town we originally saw her in) and there she was again. I spoke up as I walked behind her and said; “From Britain are we?” she turned around and answered to the affirmative. We talked for a short time. She was there with a lady friend who gives her a place (Condo) to stay in for a few weeks every year. She went on to tell me her and her husband used to travel lots but then he passed away last year…. Reminded me of why we were doing this trip now - “because we can and one never knows?”

Yesterday I heard about another friend who passed away (That’s two now since we left Canada). This one was 63 and the other one was about 50. It brings home the fact that you better do what you can now while you can and enjoy life to it’s fullest as we are not here forever. 

In the words of my Dear Mom “The Golden Years aren’t always so golden!”

ISLAND OF CAPRI

They pronounce it Ka - Pri and what a beautiful place it is. We took the boat over one day and it was a day not so long ago (mid week last week) when I noticed a definite influx of tourists. The seasons are changing and now the tourists are starting to come more and more. It will be getting crowded in some of these places soon - I dread the line ups and the price changes!

Waiting for the Boat to Capri - Italian sun and a Marina - Thats the Life!

Capri is about a 30 minute boat ride from Sorrento. It has high cliffs and suffers from views that the rest of the world would die for. There are two little towns Capri and Ana-Capri. In days of old the 2 little towns used to fight and war with each other for some reason. Some of the Roman Emporers were known to make their summer residences here and I can see why. Remants of same are still here - one in particular that I liked is in our pictures and you will see Barb imitating its grandeur.

The Island of Capri - The Marina is on the left side "L" shaped.

We took a bus up to the town and then took a Gondola ride to the very top. I can not describe the views. Mountain tops sticking thru clouds and Naples and Pompeii off in the distance on the other side of the bay. Just a beautiful day and place! The plan from the beginning was to hike back down the mountain so off we went.

Barb on the Gondola - All is good!

On our way down we met a chap by the name of Shamish; and he came just in time! As Barb led us further and further off the path Shamish offered to walk with us. He got us back on the right path (so to speak). In all fairness to Barb they weren’t marked all that well for a city dweller!

Dublin, Ireland is were Shamish hails from and he should be one noted in the “People” section of this Blog because - what a character he was! I loved his accent. He’s almost got us convinced to spend the rest of our lives in Ireland. The land he was born in and hardly ever explores he says! “It’s a beautiful place,” he adds, “I must spend more time there!” I can hear his accent in my head as I write this story. 

Shamish of Dublin

As we went on; Shamish told us of of his travels. I would put him at most mid 30’s, he’s a Sales Rep for an Engineering company and with the financial crisis his Boss has no trouble giving him time off work to travel. Let me tell you he has he travelled! The sad part and I wondered why is that he went all alone it seemed? Maybe he liked it that way or maybe the right lil Lassie never came along? I don’t know but I do know he should be writing guide books of Europe. Then again he doesn’t like the tourists either and he likes the peace and quiet of the back country and thats why he hikes so much. During this hike I remember thinking - I can see why.

After we got back down from our trek; Shamish was off again to hike another part of the island. One day he’ll come to Canada he says; I told him to spend time in BC and the Rocky Mountains as I thought that would interest him especially for his first trip.

THE MEDITERRANEAN

I haven’t spent much time talking about the ocean or lifestyle in this area so I’ll spend a bit of time here. The ocean here is beautiful and with its varied views and topography of the coast it never offers a dull moment. I challenge you to query it on Google under pictures and see what we didn’t cover.

The climate here for the most part (Santa Ponsa & Palma de Mallorca included) is much like Victoria on the west coast of Canada. I wouldn’t say that its the exact same. Here in Sorrento the Lemons, Oranges and Grapefruit grow in the winter and I don’t think that happens in Canada! Although temperatures can be quite similar to Victoria there’s something a little different in the air here. I think perhaps that when its not cloudy or raining the bare sun will be a little bit warmer on your skin and that my friends maybe what will grow the fruit - just a little!

Our Back Yard from Our Deck - Lemons, Oranges & Grapefruit Mostly.

When it gets cold here it really does get cold even though it doesn’t read so low. One morning we woke up and outside on the ground were all the dead Bees. It got a little too cold that night. Locals all wear winter coats and I quickly understood why! The air hear when its cold can cut right through you. I spent many a day with an extra sweater and a coat on and sometimes was still cold unless we were walking at a quick pace.

I confirmed one thing; that a hat is important when trying to keep heat in your body and rain off your “solar panel.” So before we left I bought a “Tilley” hat, did you know they are part of the uniform issue for the Canadian Armed Forces? Well; it does keep my panel dry when I need it!

The other thing I learned was about scarves. Now some of you men in North America don’t like scarves and I was one of them. After all its a “style thing” I thought and I don’t have much of that! Well it seems there is something about one’s neck that European’s know about that we don’t! A scarf can make a big difference in staying warm. In fact I think a scarf with a lighter jacket might be a good idea some days. No; I still haven’t bought one; remember what I said above - I don’t have any!

All in all; its nothing to complain about. When it snows in these parts you only see it way up on top of the mountains but nothing down here. Im sure that there are parts inland where perhaps the snow comes down to lower altitudes. Not here though and hence our decision to stay near the sea until we are sure the cold weather is over for the year and then we will start to head a little more north. Tuscany and over to France likely?

The beaches around the coast line (here and what we saw in Spain) are rarely sandy nor white. They are scenic whether rock pebbles or sand. Many a movie has been filmed here and just a few miles south of where I’m sitting starts the famed “Amalfi Coast.” This coastline starts just before one gets to the town of Positano. 

I didn’t realize how long its been since I wrote in this Blog so after checking we will cover Positano now. 

POSITANO

This is a town worth writing about. You have never seen anything like it in your life (most of us). Its located on the side of a mountain all the way down to the shore. Many of the homes and buildings are built right into the sides of the cliffs. Its amazing the engineering; (of nothing I know much about) is very curious! It’s a long fall to the bottom!

Positano, Italy

The bus ride down here was worth every cent on its own. I think it was $7E each way and there is no room for mistakes, not one! People complain about the highway at Golden BC, it was and is nothing compared to this!

IN the summer tourist seasons this highway has Police at all the winding corners. They spend the day there slowing traffic down for the corners and folding in their mirrors for them!  The roads are so narrow its a mystery to me still how 2 buses can pass! 

I still wonder at times and this makes me think of it - why the Italians do not have more drivers in the Formula One racing series? They drive these winding roads like they’ve done it all their lives and likely many of them have! The roads are a thrill a minute and some minutes well; you are better off not to watch! 

If you are heading south you must sit on the right side at the front (we did!) and if your heading north; well you guessed it! This is the best carnival ride I have ever been on! On the way back the bus was so full I stood most of the way and what a work out that was! Holding on; using each other to hold one’s self upright; and using your legs like your in an “Olympic Mogul Race” running for the Gold is the only way to describe it! 

Wow!

Old men and ladies have been doing this for years along with the hills they walk - I must hand it to them their legs must be in fantastic shape!

On the way down to Positano we were involved in two small MVA’s (Motor Vehicle Accidents). One was when we got to one of the treacherous corners. (with no Policeman - Off season!) As it turned out we couldn’t get by the car coming at us and we were both at a standstill. Finally the Driver of our Bus inched forward and like the sound of a thousand dollar bill in a shredder! I heard the two vehicles grinding together. 

The next one was a lot simpler. Our Driver was being coached by another man on the Bus (off duty driver perhaps?) . When this happened again our Bus Driver finally backed up a bit to make room for the other car. I’m quite sure we hit the cement wall (barrier for the 2000 foot drop) but it could have been the car behind us too? 

Neither time did anyone get out of their vehicle. They look at each other in side view mirrors, say a few words in Italiano and move on! Thats it!

Note to self: Rent Scooter maybe? In Italy; Do not rent a car!). 

A quick and funny story from Santa Ponsa, Spain. We were about to rent a car and our friend who lives there said; Make sure to get insurance for the “Hubcaps.” Now being the retired you know what - I thought man they steal that many hubcaps around here? What it was really for was the high curbs! The sidewalks are so high that when you parallel park your chances of hitting or scraping a hubcap are high so with rental cars they will charge you for the damage! Remember that! Hub-Cap Insurance!

Back to Positano; So we got off the bus and I quickly realized we hadn’t eaten. We were kindly directed down to the beach were the best cafes were and off we went. I quickly realized as nice a town and scenic that it is; How will we get back up? 

After all I’m over 50 (I think) and this could be cause for a trip to a Cardiologist in a helicopter! Barb kept re-assuring me and we finally made it all the way down. Now; you must refer to the pictures on this one. If you have seen the movie “Under the Tuscan Sun” when the female star goes to the Italian coast to find her lover - (this is where he is) and she finds him but he’s with another woman. What a beautiful location this is!

After another great Italian meal we walked around the beach and collected some beach glass (see Barb’s collection soon to be displayed at home I’m sure). After which we took some photos. Sadly it was time to head back home. One issue; “where do we get the bus?” We finally found out where to get onto the Sorrento bus and away we went and so did the sun!

There are so many things to see and do its quite hard to write about them all especially when like me your not used to telling or writing stories.

SORRENTO

Sorrento has become our home for a while. As noted earlier we rented a “Flat” (apartment) in an Italian home (all self contained with separate entrance etc) and the hardest part here is to wonder how many oranges to eat. The Landlord’s are very nIce people and they keep bringing us fruit off their trees in the yard and home made wine that Papa makes for our meals. 

This kind of accommodations are way cheaper than a hotel or even the hostel we were at earlier and it makes it feel more like a home especially when you are in one place for so long. We both wanted to find places where we could try to blend in with the community and be part of it rather than just another tourist - we don’t like them much! (Tourist’s that is!). Now people are starting to see us and Barb even got a free onion (we needed just one for cooking sauce) from the local store the other day as he gets to know her/us more.

So most every day we make a run to the grocery store and get dinner and whatever else we need. The hard part is some of the labels! 

One day when we needed shampoo Barb brought home Conditioner. I found out in the shower. Then try reading the milk bottles - they don’t say 2% or 1% anywhere but they do have different kinds? We just don’t know what kinds?

Cookies; Sorry I don’t like their cookies! They rarely have cookies like ours. The closest thing to an Oreo is called a Ringo! Then the very worst part is they don’t have Dad’s cookies either! Their deserts are mostly boring dry things in a package unless you go to the privately owned Bakeries then you get the good stuff but you pay for it too. Get this the banana’s in the stores are wrapped in plastic on a plate - they’ve been weighed already I’m told? The isles for Pasta - They never end!

I have given up on sea food. I used to love it and even say I could live on it. 

LESSON 124: I’m learning as much about myself on this trip (like the trip to Malaysia) as I am about others! 

LESSON 125: I can-not eat sea food after having it look me in the eye! 

All the sea food here is displayed this way. I’m North American - I can not eat a fish when it looks like a fish! Help me please! Eye-balls, heads and…. they cook them complete so they still look alive while you look back at it with your knife and fork in your hand ready to eat! Stick a tomato in its mouth or something? What kinda fish is that anyhow? Yeech…. Sorry people; I can-not do this. I’m off of seafood for a while!

Someone please give me a can of Tuna or has that been outlawed now?

TELEVISION 

Ha! TV right, sure! The last time we had decent TV was at Julie and Tony’s place in Santa Ponsa. I have learned to become a soccer fan but know little about the game (football) because its all in another language. My favorite is Manchester United cause my Grampa was from there and would have cheered them. 

I have learned lots about the local news but nothing about what was actually said or done as I don’t understand it either! My blood pressure is probably better for it! 

But low and behold everywhere we’ve been we do seem to get the BBC News channel! Its almost as boring as CNN. 

So as of last night I have figured out how to watch TV and movies on my Lap Top for those nights that I have nothing else to do or to read. 

Especially now that Barb is gone; I have actually quit listening to myself talk!

POLITICS

This is a topic I wont spend much time on. But it is around and the people in most parts of Europe are very passionate about everything including their politics. Not like us Canadians who complain form the couch and then drop the subject! I would love to be in politics here!

As a matter of fact something else I noticed and just recalled; Most people think we are Americans then when they find out we are from Canada they think we are French? 

Why is that? I can’t speak French any better than I can Italian? Maybe I should take a night course?

Greece is not having a good time right now. They are going broke in a hurry and the government is clamping down on spending and cutting back in a big way. So the people are protesting and now rioting which could affect our trip over there. I’m not sure that I want to go over there now if thats the way its going to be? It didn’t take us long to find our first protest in Rome if you recall (our first night) so its likely to happen again in Athens! (hahaha).

Italy’s Boss (I mean President or Prime Minister or….) is in hot water too.
He’s in front of the courts charged with a bunch of frauds. The latest is; that he just passed a law so he can’t be found guilty! (You gotta love it!). So the trial is continuing and the elections are looming! In-fact yesterday (Sunday) all day I could hear people screaming on loudspeakers from home here so I imagine the election rallies are beginning. At least I hope thats what it was - Rallies? I just heard them again here now this (Monday) morning too?

Speaking of Italy; a good book to read (I just finished it) is called “The Commarah, Italy’s Other Mafia.” It scared the pants (I mean socks) off Barb! She wanted to go to France after reading it!

It’s all about the local Mafia here in the Napoli area. It’s a must-read if you like that sort of stuff but I recommend you read it after your trips to Italy, not before! The Author is a local who grew up here and worked with them; he is now under Police protection.

So that brings up Sicily! I would like to see Sicily or just part of it. I don’t think it’s very high on Barb’s list as she keeps telling me to go down for a few days (while she is home in Canada). I think I might - depending on the weather.

Another must see and will be reported on later is Pompeii and Herculeum.
These 2 towns are just north of where we are in Sorrento in between here and Napoli. Napoli is directly across the bay from us. Mount Vesuvius is something we can see here too and its still an active Volcano. I’m not sure if I’ll take the tour up the mountain or not but I do want to see Herculeum (Hercules Birthplace) as it is supposed to have better ruins and displays than Pompeii.

To the left is the Bay of Napoli

Last night I watched the move “Gladiator.” I had to see it just to give myself some better background as to what we saw in Rome. It was very good and if you haven’t seen it then rent it before you read the book on the Mafia (above). My next movie will be “Chariots of Fire” or something? I love the history and I will tell you these people were very intelligent - even 2000+ years ago!

Unlike yesterday which was nice, warm and sunny its started to sprinkle here and I think I’ll have to close the door as its getting cool. That will give me a chance to quit writing and you a chance to recover from my stories.

I can say this; we have been gone since January 13th. which is a little over two months. We have around 4 months left if we continue on and I suspect we will at this point.

I will certainly recommend southern Italy. The people of Italy are so helpful and friendly. It was like that in Spain too. I love the cultures and the food. I love the scenery and almost everything I’ve seen so far. 

It’s all really teaching me things; Our culture is so new; our communities are so new and some of our ways are new. I would not say that our ways are better or worse but I love the fact that we are all a little different. 

Having said that just reminded me of the fact I wish we could all just get along so we could travel to other countries that are currently not safe right now. I wish people would drop their greed and drop their egotistical power trips and learn to live life the way it was meant to be. 

Some of these leaders and people need to read the book “Who Moved My Cheese!”

I wont go on; but I will say this; The more I see the more I want to travel the world.

Ciao For Now!

Ciao from Italia and see you soon!

Jim for 

Barb & Jim

ROMA - ITALIA!

ROME

Well we made it! Again! We survived the stretch in Rome and what a time it was! First we left here and took an old train north to Naples; switched trains and got on another one to Rome. 

This is Called a Piaggio Ape

A 3 wheeled motorcycle with a cab and box for work! They are everywhere and I want one!

From there we took a great deal of time trying to figure out where we were and where we had to go? Have no fear; Barb is like a honing instrument, a keen GPS machine! She got us on track and we found our new abode for the week. We arrived on Monday and toured Tuesday thru to Thursday and left again on Friday (March 5th).

Barb and her built in GPS. Barb's awesome research always pays off! 

What can I say; Rome is Rome. Supposedly in the top 3 in the world to see. Boy is there a lot to see, we still didn’t even get the basics covered but by Thursday we were so tired we decided we do the rest of what we wanted to see when we come back up into northern Italy later in the spring.

Rome is a beautiful city with more character than most and likely all? It has every thing in a modern city and yet still has the old, historical and touristy types of things to see.  Its very metropolitan and mixed and has about 2.6 million people that call her home. It has a subway and lots of other transit options and tons of parks and squares or Piazzas. (Plazas).

When you see this for the 1st time - It takes your breath away!

All the marble on the outside of the Colosseum was stolen by the Dictator Mussolini and used for his home...

There are cars and people everywhere and for one (Jim) who doesn’t like crowds it wasn’t bad at all. Like I (Jim) founding the orient they know how to move people and they know how to move them well. So the crowds and traffic are not too big of an issue but don’t be in a rush and always leave early!

Walking, trains and buses were our main modes of transportation and we walked a lot. IM sure I must have worn out those new shoes as I know my back and legs were worn out by the end of every day.

The first night (Monday) we went out to try and find a place to eat dinner that our friend Loretta knew about. As it turned out we couldn’t walk the way we had wanted as the Polizia had the streets blocked. I could hear crowds yelling in the distance and after a few minutes they were getting closer - but what was it and where? 

We had to change our course a couple of times and once we made it to a Piazza and there they were... 

Van loads of Polizia, Local and Federal. Riot squads and shields to the ready and yes the crowds started to show. They were noisy and it was eery to say the least to be standing there with the Polizia (they didn’t seem to care about us or who we were? We could have infiltrated the Polizia easily?) But the crowd came into the square with their signs, placards slogans and chants. We couldn’t understand, they were loud and they were very angry screaming…  Loretta said they wanted decent affordable housing!

Polizia watch the streets. Armored vans are to the left and to my right are the Riot Troops - all lined up!

A few minutes later the Protesters showed - But no real violence that we are aware of!

So we waited a few minutes and then the crowd we were with voted to leave so I had to follow! It was almost like watching some foreign news channel; waiting for the updates! I never did see anything in the papers the next day? Hmmm? 

They must get this fairly regular as I began to notice a lot of their police vehicles have wire mesh over the lites, windows and windshield etc. We must remember it wasn’t that long ago that this was a much different place to live and there are still remnants and reminders of the poverty and violence that you can see as you travel the cities. I’m not trying to beat it up at all in fact its very nice here but we are far from paradise in some areas and in my humble opinion.

The people work hard and many own their own business or work with their hands trying to get ahead. I’m not sure what they have here for social programs but when one sees what one sees its not Canada either? We’ve left that behind. You cant help to feel for the people. Most are very happy and they are definitely living a slower pace except the young ones in the big cities trying to make the big time.

During the week we saw several things but Ill just mention the highlights.

The Colosseum.
This can not be described and pictures do not so any of them justice. The Colosseum was started before the days of Christ and carried on in use for 4 - 5 centuries. It was the first one built and used as the one the others copied. Most weren’t as big.

 The first and largest Colosseum ever built - Holds 60,000 spectators and has 80 entrances.

Note to self: Watch the movie Gladiator!

The Emporer would sit there along with 60,000 of his closest friends and the show would begin. Many times it was Chariot races or the Gladiators (who fought each other, animals or killed the dammed). Sometimes it was the Christians being put to a slow agonizing death by either animal or Gladiator. Tigers or Lions or sword. I stood there and could almost hear the crowds cheering and standing. There were hand signals between the Emporer and his warriors on the ground whether to keep going, stop or kill. He had full control and he let his commoners feel like they had the say. Sometimes he would ask the audience and he would comply by giving the order for whatever they chose - usually death!

The story goes that over the years it got so bad that the Roman audience themselves were beginning to feel they had gone too far with some of the shows that they were attending. The death and carnage and they way the poor Christians (and others) were tortured before they could even be allowed to die to make it stop. Finally there was some sense and they started to back down. The Emporer kept his thumb on the pulse of the audience and instead of continuing his entertaining them and giving them what he thought they wanted he sensed their new found revolt and they had to tone it down. (Thankfully!).

There is now a Cross mounted inside the Colosseum entrance to mark this sad fact of early Christian history.

The Cross mounted inside the Colosseum - Due to all the Christians that were murdered here.

ARCH OF TITUS
There were arches that we visited; 3 in all and they had different names. One was the Arch of Titus and it was built after a particular battle that the Romans had fought and won. It was almost like an Alter to the Brave who came back and I guess even to the ones who did not. Once finished all the warriors would ride through it with their Commander or Emporer leading the way. The story has it that many of them didn’t live long enough to ride though their own arches!

The Arch of Titus - After defeating the Jews.

Its amazing to see what good condition these arches are in! 

Its amazing how you can be in such a big city and all of a sudden poof; there are 2 or 3 columns of marble sticking out of the ground! Or many. Some sites that we saw were certainly in the center of Rome in the day and were very busy with markets, roads (2 which we actually walked on ourselves) and other buildings.

PAUL’s PRISON

Paul’s prison or as some know him; St, Paul was nearby so we went over to where he died which was in his prison cell which has been well preserved. Unfortunately it was closed as they were renovating so I could only see into the entrance a bit by peaking through the cloth that lined the fenced off area. Someone built a church on top of it. Knowing that this is the site where one of Jesus Desciples died gives you a bit of a feeling - to say the least! Even the Roman's (the enemy) admits it. 

Inside these doors is where Peter was held in Jail by the Romans and eventually where he died after writing his letters. 

The Catacombes
Something you must see. The only bad part was they wouldn't leave us in there or let us wander around by ourselves.

Back in these particular days (2000 years or so ago) 50% of the babies were "still born" and 50% of the population didn’t make it past 12 years of age. Can you imagine? If you were fortunate enough to be born alive you were considered very special if you made it past 12 or 13 years of age! 

So remember; keep washing your hands! 
(I recently saw something that said thats been the biggest advance in Health Prevention ever!).

The Catacombes were a place outside of the walls of Rome (some walls of which you can still see) where the Christians were buried. They were not allowed to be buried in Rome because to be a real Roman you had to honor their Gods and other such things; not the one true Christian God. 
So you were relegated out of town and buried here at the Catacombes which were miles of tunnels (6 levels of tunnels) layered on top of each other. It was an amazing walk down the stairs underground into this maze of tunnels (likely why they don’t leave you alone down there) that must go for miles and miles. 
Apparently lot of people died down there due to lack of oxygen and an over abundance of other gases?

They say that there are 68,000 Christians buried down there and wow you should have seen it! Right out of the movies!

Turn Left Here for the Catacombes.

The tunnels were usually about 5’10” or so they weren’t very tall in those days. Amazing how they accomplished all this work! Different tunnels would spring off of each one. All along the way were holes dug into the sides. Some were actually rooms with whole families in them and others were just holes where the caskets had been. The dead were buried in a marble or stone casket with a lid, many of which have been opened up and studied but they have stopped doing that now.  Pictures were not allowed inside. Many of them were still there!

You can tell the babies from the children and the adults. All by the size of the casket. Sad really but at least they had their own place and were left alone until modern times. I believe they started to find some (not all) of them in the first world war when they started digging in. I cant imagine the feeling!

This particular Catacombe had a Church built over it. Amazing. No one even knew they were there at the time. Or so they say?

Carefully look and see the second arch - That was part of the Wall of Rome during the Empire. It still stands.

I can't recall the name of this road but it is the road leading out of the city of Roma to the Catacombes. 

It is a very famous road built by the Empire way back when! It was used to travel to many locations south and east and went for hundreds of miles. You can almost hear the horse's hooves, the chariot's wheels and the soldier's boots as they march by - when you stop to listen...

TAKEN FOR GRANTED?

When walking around Rome I began to notice that many of the locals don’t even realize, remember or some may not care what they have here. Maybe they just get like us and take it for granted (like we do the Rocky Mountains). After a while and after seeing so many old things I could start to see why. As you wander and walk down quiet little streets and paths you are overcome with Churches, sites and other things that were built hundreds If not thousands of years ago. New buildings are 200 years old!  One day I walked down a street and beside an old apartment block were two Roman columns sticking up out of the ground. They'd been there thousands of years and were still sitting in there - am empty lot in a residential area.

We saw things from Before Christ (B.C.) and many things after Christ (A.D.). We saw some things from the time of Christ and let me say - you will never be the same again. It puts a lot of things into perspective when you sit and do the math. Really it wasn't as long ago as I had always thought! Not when you think about time and eternity!

Like the Pyramids (I’ve not seen them - yet) this is one of the few places where you truly see how old man is though. 
How smart man was. How determined and refined they were so long ago. It truly is amazing to see the structures and then wonder how it long it took to build but how did they do it at all? How did they build it so high? Unbelievable work! Almost made me proud to see what they accomplished I thought with a slight smile to my face. We have seen buildings that took several hundred years to complete. We have seen one that started in the mid 1800's and wont be done for another few decades - so its not just modern man. Its man! Some of the structures that have been built - even today take life times or maybe even 3 generations of families to complete. Then I would imagine - they would have to start renovations! Just like at my house!

THE ROMAN ROADS
Now I don’t know how many miles they built but let me say these guys traveled all over Europe and when they built their trade routes; If it wasn’t done by boat it was done by road. They had this down to a science and used brick and rock for a reason. Not just because it was there. Drainage! Yes they too were worried about drainage! They even built down spouts and drainage lines from Teracotta. They used drainage to water the gardens, trees and their plants. No wonder they were the ones who started the civilization, the rules and laws that we live under today! They were really quite smart!

We saw so much in Rome it is impossible to cover it all. Look at the pictures on our sites where we have them downloaded and I only hope thy can begin to help you see what we were able to see and share with history.

Much of the Ruins of Old Rome are near the Colosseum and other sights.

This area I could have spent days looking at and touching the artifacts!

Ruins from the old City of Roma

CHURCHES
Many times in Europe churches would change hands. I’m not a history scholar, Example; if they started out Muslim they likely ended up being Christian which in most cases for Europe meant Catholic. 
Some of them look like the Muslim origin from which they came (you can still see it if you know what to watch for) and others don’t really. Its hard to tell with out asking but know that it occurred. 
Some people talk about the Muslims being bad and mean but the Christians have had their time of moving in and taking over too - and I don’t think they were very nice and friendly about it either? 

Much Older Than It Looks - This Is The Original Church Where People Come to Crawl On Their Knees Up The Steps.

Go to our Pictures to see more.

Churches are a must-see for the art, the architecture and design, the history, the stories, the right doings, the wrongdoings and more. Quite a story, hundreds of them!

THE POPE AND ST. PAUL’S

On the last day we went to St Paul’s Basilica. This is where the Pope works. In fact prior to that we went to the Church that the Pope leads but I cant remember its name. When I review the pictures Ill try to name them in there on the titles of each. Now the church at the Vatican is something else. 

The Pope's Army!

Children are allowed to approach - Not Adults!

Huge doesn’t describe it. They say its the largest in the world, it seats 60,000 people. There’s another one been built in Dubai that is supposed to be a replica but they don’t have proof that they are bigger (they say they are). So now we have seen 2 of the 3 largest Christian Churches in the word. The only one left is St. Paul’s in London and we will try to see that one too so we will have covered all 3 in this trip.

Over 60,000 people can sit in this church!

This church starts off with a bit of eeriness in my humble opinion. You are directed downstairs and their are alters after alters with marble caskets and inside of each of them is a dead Pope! One of them upstairs is said to be the real guy with no mummification and he looks to be real? It has a side wall that is glass so you can see the poor guy! All dressed up in his Popal Clothing. 

Once upstairs we went into the actual church and wow is it ever big. Some of the Chapels (lack of a better word?) off to the sides are bigger than our big north american churches! Then there is the art - some of it by well known artists. Then there are the carvings, the statues and all! It is simply overwhelming! All I could think off is who sets up all the chairs and where did they go? (60,000 people and hardly any chairs out?).

The Altars and ornaments and all these things are worth bazillions of Euros’ I’m sure. When you think of the age of it the gold and the silver, the gems and so on. Wow! I won’t get in to much more of it because it is Catholic and Im not up on the history or things about the Catholic Church but I will say they have a lot of money. 

I was told once that the largest single private land owner in the world was the Catholic Church. Now I believe it. 

The square outside where all the people gather to hear the Pope when he comes out is huge and its all brick again. 

Part of the Square at St. Peter's - It is huge!
When the Pope comes out to speak this placed is filled!

We will post our video of this else where.

Man I wish I could hire some of these guys to do my brick patio that I want? If you have ever been to a large outdoor sporting event or rock concert - the big screens are here too. 

The Pope too uses hi-tech to get his message out. One thing I didn’t care to see was a large billboard advertising a phone company? Why and how much did they pay the church to have their sign there? Was it more than the Super Bowl? It just didn’t seem fitting to have that in a place that is supposed to be sacred and special. Maybe thats unfair of me but until I hear an answer - I can not help it.

After seeing all this we were going to go to the Sistine Chapel and the other things in the area but were tired out and we frankly had enough for one day. It was awesome and mind boggling. The history, the culture, the artifacts, the stories and more. 

They just make you tired. We weren't just physically tired we were mentally worn out too! It is a lot to take in and think about. At this point I would say a person needs a least one or more weeks in Rome to see it all. Many times you don’t get enough time at one place and want to go back also. 

I hope I've kept all the facts straight. I have tried, we learned so much is just a few days! Its hard to keep up! You really must make this trip yourselves. Put it on your "Bucket List" but make sure its near the top and get it done! It will change your life!

I wish we had time to take the open top double-decker bus tour. 
(We like to do these first in the many cities because then you can pick and choose what you want to go back and see).

If you do this trip - Travel Light. Hauling suitcases around is not fun when traveling this way. We did Rome with two Back Packs and left our other things in Sorrento, Im so glad we did!

So on the Friday we awoke with colds getting worse. We made it to a bus station and took the 4 hour ride back to Sorrento where we are living right now. You will see our pictures and I hope they help. 

We have a “flat” (apartment) rented in a nice Italian residence that is much like a small acreage in the city. Our Landlord's are so nice. A great Italian family; only the daughter speaks english. Dad brings us oranges and lemons off the trees in the yard. Once he even brought us his special red and white wines that he makes. The first day he gave us a Grapefruit that was as big as a bowling ball! The only english we have ever heard him speak was him describing this particular grapefruit and his description went like this: "Sophia Lauren'a!" I'll leave the rest to your imagination! 

We are about a 10 minute walk to the ocean. There are wild lemons and oranges everywhere and the odd grapefruit tree too. We are living in Sorrento for these 6 weeks. Its just south of Naples (Napoli), Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius. (An active Volcanoe). So once we get travelling again you'll get to hear more stories about those areas too!

Barb leaves for Canada on the 23rd of March for 3 weeks. Jim may do some travelling on his own; Perhaps; Palermo (Sicily) and or Greece depending on the political climate as its a little uneasy in Greece right now! 

Unless we make changes the next 6 weeks will be here in Sorrento with potential day trips from here.

Talk to you soon!

Jim for

Jim & Barb.

Dont forget our pictures are posted at: