Here is the start of trip report to Italy from plmn..."My Travels with Mom & Dad"
Nov 2nd, 2004, 07:47 AM
#182
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PLMN,
This is like a great novel. I can hardly wait for the next chapter but am already dreading its ending. I'm sad your report of Rome is winding down but the thought of you all in Venice has great potential!
This is like a great novel. I can hardly wait for the next chapter but am already dreading its ending. I'm sad your report of Rome is winding down but the thought of you all in Venice has great potential!
Nov 2nd, 2004, 03:59 PM
#183
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Last Day in Rome:
We woke up early with the garbage truck alarm clock making their usual ruckus. Heck those things are loud. But hey, its cool, we are in Italy after all.
Had our wonderful Albergo Cesari breakfast and prepared for our journey to the Jewish Ghetto.
We had figured out the night before which bus we would need and made our way to the stop. The bus wasn't too awfully crowded and it seemed like a pretty quick trip.
When we got off the bus we had our daily "I think we go this way" and "No, it's this way" arguments. (It really is a wonder we managed to get any where at all on this trip.)
Somehow we figured out a direction we all agreed on and on we went. One of the first things that happened was that we came upon a place that my mother and I had seen in a brochure the day before. It had piqued her curiosity but we had thought we would never find it and that we wouldn't have time for it. It was an exhibit for a sculptor. Here is part of what it says on the card I picked up at the exhibit: La mostra Arnaldo Pomodoro "Novecento", una scultura per Roma...
I'm not sure what type of building we were in. The card also says Ingresso libero, Salsa Santa Rita, via Montanara, 8 (ad.Piazza Campitelli)
(Among my mother's many talents is that of sculptress. She has designed and installed many public arts pieces in the US. Many of them are water related and she holds patents on some of the water nozzles that were used on her earlier copper installations. So this man's work was of interest to her.)
There was a young Italian college student on duty at the front desk and he and my mother ended up talking for quite a while. The display of this exhibit consisted of technical drawings, a model of the sculpture, and a movie about the making of the actual piece. Dad and I settled in to watch the movie which I actually found quite fascinating. It brought back memories of when I was little and would visit my mother in her loft. She would be building fiberglass molds and I would have to be careful not to get the stuff on me. Fiberglass is very scratchy/itchy.
After a long time my dad got antsy and "suggested" to mom that we let the poor guy get back to work and for us continue our quest for the ghetto.
Off we went, asking here, asking there. We passed many little shops and businesses. I had the feeling I was in an artist area and later found out that many artists lived and worked in this area. A few more streets and there it was. A lovely neighborhood that was pretty quiet for a weekday.
All of a sudden mother and I heard our names being called and looked around to see my father motioning to us from in front of a little store. Dad was already chatting up the locals. Mother and I went over and dad introduced us to the gentleman. The man explained that it was a Jewish Holiday. Duh, being Jewish I felt pretty stupid for not realizing that little tid bit. (I did flunk out of Hebrew school.)
We had wanted to visit the Synagogue but the man explained that it was closed until later that evening. While we were chatting a little old gentleman carrying a white cloth bag walked by and the store owner called him over. He was introduced to us as a retired guide and offered to take us on our own little private tour of the Jewish Ghetto. This was one of the highlights of my trip to Rome. The serendipity of coming across our own guide in this manner made it all the more special.
(If you look at this picture:
www.worldisround.com/articles/86193/photo3.html you can see the kind man.)
He spent at least 45 minutes taking us around the ghetto and briefing us on little facts. For instance, why there is a secure fence and a police presence outside the temple. Many years before there was a terrorist shooting outside the temple and a little boy lost his life there. I felt so melancholy at that moment that I hung back a little from my parents for a few minutes. I needed time to absorb what I was seeing and hearing. The feeling continued on during the explanation of where the fences were actually located for containing the jews during WWII. Such a small area, so many people.
When the tour was over we ended up infront of a restaurant. My father invited our guide to have some luch and something to drink. The man declined but my father kept insisting. Finally, the offer was accepted. The restaurant we would dine at was called La Taverna del Ghetto and it would be the most expensive meal of the ENTIRE trip.
To be continued...
We woke up early with the garbage truck alarm clock making their usual ruckus. Heck those things are loud. But hey, its cool, we are in Italy after all.
Had our wonderful Albergo Cesari breakfast and prepared for our journey to the Jewish Ghetto.
We had figured out the night before which bus we would need and made our way to the stop. The bus wasn't too awfully crowded and it seemed like a pretty quick trip.
When we got off the bus we had our daily "I think we go this way" and "No, it's this way" arguments. (It really is a wonder we managed to get any where at all on this trip.)
Somehow we figured out a direction we all agreed on and on we went. One of the first things that happened was that we came upon a place that my mother and I had seen in a brochure the day before. It had piqued her curiosity but we had thought we would never find it and that we wouldn't have time for it. It was an exhibit for a sculptor. Here is part of what it says on the card I picked up at the exhibit: La mostra Arnaldo Pomodoro "Novecento", una scultura per Roma...
I'm not sure what type of building we were in. The card also says Ingresso libero, Salsa Santa Rita, via Montanara, 8 (ad.Piazza Campitelli)
(Among my mother's many talents is that of sculptress. She has designed and installed many public arts pieces in the US. Many of them are water related and she holds patents on some of the water nozzles that were used on her earlier copper installations. So this man's work was of interest to her.)
There was a young Italian college student on duty at the front desk and he and my mother ended up talking for quite a while. The display of this exhibit consisted of technical drawings, a model of the sculpture, and a movie about the making of the actual piece. Dad and I settled in to watch the movie which I actually found quite fascinating. It brought back memories of when I was little and would visit my mother in her loft. She would be building fiberglass molds and I would have to be careful not to get the stuff on me. Fiberglass is very scratchy/itchy.
After a long time my dad got antsy and "suggested" to mom that we let the poor guy get back to work and for us continue our quest for the ghetto.
Off we went, asking here, asking there. We passed many little shops and businesses. I had the feeling I was in an artist area and later found out that many artists lived and worked in this area. A few more streets and there it was. A lovely neighborhood that was pretty quiet for a weekday.
All of a sudden mother and I heard our names being called and looked around to see my father motioning to us from in front of a little store. Dad was already chatting up the locals. Mother and I went over and dad introduced us to the gentleman. The man explained that it was a Jewish Holiday. Duh, being Jewish I felt pretty stupid for not realizing that little tid bit. (I did flunk out of Hebrew school.)
We had wanted to visit the Synagogue but the man explained that it was closed until later that evening. While we were chatting a little old gentleman carrying a white cloth bag walked by and the store owner called him over. He was introduced to us as a retired guide and offered to take us on our own little private tour of the Jewish Ghetto. This was one of the highlights of my trip to Rome. The serendipity of coming across our own guide in this manner made it all the more special.
(If you look at this picture:
www.worldisround.com/articles/86193/photo3.html you can see the kind man.)
He spent at least 45 minutes taking us around the ghetto and briefing us on little facts. For instance, why there is a secure fence and a police presence outside the temple. Many years before there was a terrorist shooting outside the temple and a little boy lost his life there. I felt so melancholy at that moment that I hung back a little from my parents for a few minutes. I needed time to absorb what I was seeing and hearing. The feeling continued on during the explanation of where the fences were actually located for containing the jews during WWII. Such a small area, so many people.
When the tour was over we ended up infront of a restaurant. My father invited our guide to have some luch and something to drink. The man declined but my father kept insisting. Finally, the offer was accepted. The restaurant we would dine at was called La Taverna del Ghetto and it would be the most expensive meal of the ENTIRE trip.
To be continued...
Nov 2nd, 2004, 04:07 PM
#184
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Oh fine. Now we're left hanging.
Was it the most expensive meal because of the cognacs the little, old guide swilled? Did your Dad start ordering rounds of lemoncello for the whole place?
Inquiring minds want to know!
Was it the most expensive meal because of the cognacs the little, old guide swilled? Did your Dad start ordering rounds of lemoncello for the whole place?
Inquiring minds want to know!
Nov 2nd, 2004, 04:28 PM
#185
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LOL indytravel.
Bill of Fare (I saved it )
4 Coperto 6.00 Euro
2 Carciofo Giudia 9.00 Euro
4 Fiori Zucca 11.00 Euro
1 Pate Fegato 8.00 Euro
2 Caffe 3.00 Euro
1 Ananas 6.50 Euro
1 Acqua Min.N1Lt 2.50 Euro
1 Vino Rosso 42.00 Euro
Ah ha..notice that last item. My poor dad isn't even a wine drinker for heaven sake. My parents would never have knowingly ordered a 42 Euro bottle of wine.
When I get back I'll tell you how my dad figures this happened, me...I think it was just a misunderstanding.
By the way, the way I was downing the stuff I got pretty buzzed. Which may have been a good thing because I think I got into a tiff with my folks at the end of this little repast.
Bill of Fare (I saved it
)4 Coperto 6.00 Euro
2 Carciofo Giudia 9.00 Euro
4 Fiori Zucca 11.00 Euro
1 Pate Fegato 8.00 Euro
2 Caffe 3.00 Euro
1 Ananas 6.50 Euro
1 Acqua Min.N1Lt 2.50 Euro
1 Vino Rosso 42.00 Euro
Ah ha..notice that last item. My poor dad isn't even a wine drinker for heaven sake. My parents would never have knowingly ordered a 42 Euro bottle of wine.
When I get back I'll tell you how my dad figures this happened, me...I think it was just a misunderstanding.
By the way, the way I was downing the stuff I got pretty buzzed. Which may have been a good thing because I think
I got into a tiff with my folks at the end of this little repast.
Nov 2nd, 2004, 07:11 PM
#186
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Oh this is just terric PLMN. While the rest of the US awaits the election results your fans on Fodorites await the rest of your story!!!
Well, first things first, yes?
We know you are busy dear one, but please, do tell. One anxious reader.
Well, first things first, yes?
We know you are busy dear one, but please, do tell. One anxious reader.
Nov 2nd, 2004, 07:21 PM
#187
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Hi PLMN - I can't tell you enough how much I look forward to your posts each day. I'm staying up to watch this election (reminds me of a close Superbowl game between the Giants & Bills a number of years ago) and was so happy to see a new chapter!!
Please, please keep them coming! I'm on the road for work until Friday so I can't check in for a few days but I'll be looking forward to coming home.
BTW - do you still live in the NYC area? Would love to hang out sometime before DH & I head out to Italy next Fall. I work downtown on W. Houston & Hudson.
Currently - Kerry 188 Bush 210. This is killing me!!!! At least tri-state area went for Kerry! Its going to be a long night.
M&M
Please, please keep them coming! I'm on the road for work until Friday so I can't check in for a few days but I'll be looking forward to coming home.
BTW - do you still live in the NYC area? Would love to hang out sometime before DH & I head out to Italy next Fall. I work downtown on W. Houston & Hudson.
Currently - Kerry 188 Bush 210. This is killing me!!!! At least tri-state area went for Kerry! Its going to be a long night.
M&M
Nov 3rd, 2004, 06:55 AM
#194
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We dined outside in a decent sized sukkah. It was very pleasant due in part to the lovely weather.
There were some other diners enjoying their meals, including a husband and wife from Switzerland. He wasn't swiss though. It turns out he even lived at one time in a town that was close to a town we lived in in Connecticut.
My parents and this couple conversed throughout the meal and eventually the discussion came around to everyone's professions. It seems the man is a financier and he and my mother talked about one of the projects she is working on. The design of a Jewish temple.
Our little guide excused himself from the table for a few minutes, saying he had to call his wife to check on her because she was ill. When he came back to the table the wine arrived, a fairly large bottle if I do say so myself.
I don't think my folks wanted to create a "situation" so we allowed the waiter to pour the wine.
The food we had ordered arrived and I really enjoyed it. I tasted the fried artichoke and like the first time I had tried it I wasn't thrilled with it. I LOVED the fried zuccinni flower, it tasted like the best tempura veggies ever. I saw what the flowers look like earlier in the day and they are pretty, I didn't know people ate them.
I really enjoyed the chicken liver. Frankly I thought it was the best I had ever had. Different from what I was used too, not as thick for one thing.
I don't remember if our guide ate anything, he didn't stay the entire time. He left at some point stating that he had to get back to his wife.
When the waiter brought the check my father handed it to me to look over as he always does. I was quite surprised at the amount of the check. I know my father was as well. I wish I remembered exactly what prompted me to take a huffy exit cig break at this point but I'm pretty certain it had to do with the bill. I think I offered to pay the wine portion of the bill and my dad was offended. (It wasn't like I stood up and yelled at the top of my lungs: "Hey dad, sorry the wine cost so much, let me pay for it."
I sat on a little wall, puffed my cig, and patted dry the tears that were forming in my eyes. (Must have been the two glasses of wine I had consumed?) After getting a grip, I rejoined my parents. I found out later that they did not find the food particularly (sp?) enjoyable. Mom said the only thing she liked was the fried flower. The artichoke was not as good as the one from the other restaurant. Neither my mom or dad liked the chicken liver texture.
It seems that my MO for dealing with upsetment with my parents is to walk away. During our trip this subject came up a few times. I guess it is related to everyone in our family hanging up the telephone on each other when the anger becomes unbearable.
We did make up of course and ventured back towards the bus stop for the return to the hotel. While waiting for the bus we were given an academy award winning performance by a gypsy beggar woman. She was tiny and the most hunched over walking person I have ever seen. She had a scarf on her head and a cup outstretched in her hand. She traipsed in front of us, VERY, VERY SLOOOWLY. My mother said "that is such a good performance she deserves some change" and she gathered some change and put it in her cup. That was taking a chance I know, but it was just one of those things. (Remember this little tale for later in the Venice episodes.)
Bus came and back to the hotel we went.
There were some other diners enjoying their meals, including a husband and wife from Switzerland. He wasn't swiss though. It turns out he even lived at one time in a town that was close to a town we lived in in Connecticut.
My parents and this couple conversed throughout the meal and eventually the discussion came around to everyone's professions. It seems the man is a financier and he and my mother talked about one of the projects she is working on. The design of a Jewish temple.
Our little guide excused himself from the table for a few minutes, saying he had to call his wife to check on her because she was ill. When he came back to the table the wine arrived, a fairly large bottle if I do say so myself.
I don't think my folks wanted to create a "situation" so we allowed the waiter to pour the wine.
The food we had ordered arrived and I really enjoyed it. I tasted the fried artichoke and like the first time I had tried it I wasn't thrilled with it. I LOVED the fried zuccinni flower, it tasted like the best tempura veggies ever. I saw what the flowers look like earlier in the day and they are pretty, I didn't know people ate them.
I really enjoyed the chicken liver. Frankly I thought it was the best I had ever had. Different from what I was used too, not as thick for one thing.
I don't remember if our guide ate anything, he didn't stay the entire time. He left at some point stating that he had to get back to his wife.
When the waiter brought the check my father handed it to me to look over as he always does. I was quite surprised at the amount of the check. I know my father was as well. I wish I remembered exactly what prompted me to take a huffy exit cig break at this point but I'm pretty certain it had to do with the bill. I think I offered to pay the wine portion of the bill and my dad was offended. (It wasn't like I stood up and yelled at the top of my lungs: "Hey dad, sorry the wine cost so much, let me pay for it."
I sat on a little wall, puffed my cig, and patted dry the tears that were forming in my eyes. (Must have been the two glasses of wine I had consumed?) After getting a grip, I rejoined my parents. I found out later that they did not find the food particularly (sp?) enjoyable. Mom said the only thing she liked was the fried flower. The artichoke was not as good as the one from the other restaurant. Neither my mom or dad liked the chicken liver texture.
It seems that my MO for dealing with upsetment with my parents is to walk away. During our trip this subject came up a few times. I guess it is related to everyone in our family hanging up the telephone on each other when the anger becomes unbearable.
We did make up of course and ventured back towards the bus stop for the return to the hotel. While waiting for the bus we were given an academy award winning performance by a gypsy beggar woman. She was tiny and the most hunched over walking person I have ever seen. She had a scarf on her head and a cup outstretched in her hand. She traipsed in front of us, VERY, VERY SLOOOWLY. My mother said "that is such a good performance she deserves some change" and she gathered some change and put it in her cup. That was taking a chance I know, but it was just one of those things. (Remember this little tale for later in the Venice episodes.)
Bus came and back to the hotel we went.
Nov 3rd, 2004, 07:38 AM
#196
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OOPs,
If you come up by way of Rte 441, you pass through Madison and Watkinsville on the way to Athens.
From Athens you go over to Atlanta and I75 to Chatanooga.
It will add about 3 hr to your trip.
If you come up by way of Rte 441, you pass through Madison and Watkinsville on the way to Athens.
From Athens you go over to Atlanta and I75 to Chatanooga.
It will add about 3 hr to your trip.
Nov 3rd, 2004, 07:41 AM
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>It seems that my MO for dealing with upsetment with my parents is to walk away. <
Much better than getting into a fight with broken wine bottles.
Sounds like a very nice lunch. Was the wine any good?
Much better than getting into a fight with broken wine bottles.
Sounds like a very nice lunch. Was the wine any good?
Nov 3rd, 2004, 08:20 AM
#198
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PLMN the "Twilight Zone" was an old TV show that featured odd twists and interesting coincidences. Some of them to the point of an eerie feeling.
You being a Jewish tourist, meeting up with a retired Jewish guide outside the Jewish Ghetto in Rome would be the kind of coincidence that a "Twilight Zone" episode would use.
You being a Jewish tourist, meeting up with a retired Jewish guide outside the Jewish Ghetto in Rome would be the kind of coincidence that a "Twilight Zone" episode would use.
Nov 3rd, 2004, 02:10 PM
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Hi Phoebe, enjoying this greatly!
I think Mimi (Cigale) was referring to the election results that someone had quoted. I don't she meant anything about your report, PLMN, because she is very positive/open/supportive about everyone's trips.
I think Mimi (Cigale) was referring to the election results that someone had quoted. I don't she meant anything about your report, PLMN, because she is very positive/open/supportive about everyone's trips.
