Here is the start of trip report to Italy from plmn..."My Travels with Mom & Dad"
Oct 23rd, 2004, 08:00 AM
#61
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Wow...this is so much fun!!!
Blessings for traveling with Mom & Dad......matronly???
Next time go for the wildly provocative....then he'll have a real reason to comment!!
The lady washing clothes in the fountain....last time I was there she was washing her undies & inspecting them in the glow of streetlight!!
Blessings for traveling with Mom & Dad......matronly???
Next time go for the wildly provocative....then he'll have a real reason to comment!!
The lady washing clothes in the fountain....last time I was there she was washing her undies & inspecting them in the glow of streetlight!!
Oct 23rd, 2004, 09:17 AM
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What? You are going to work at a time like this -- your fellow Fodorites need your next installments!
Your report is delightful PLMN and I am already chuckling at the thought of your trio in the Vatican Museum.
Looking foward to more...
Your report is delightful PLMN and I am already chuckling at the thought of your trio in the Vatican Museum.
Looking foward to more...
Oct 23rd, 2004, 05:58 PM
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PLMN,
Great trip reports. When I first started to read I almost thought I'd agree with Howard on the detail, however as I read on you have an excellent writing style and good humor....keep writing.
Great trip reports. When I first started to read I almost thought I'd agree with Howard on the detail, however as I read on you have an excellent writing style and good humor....keep writing.
Oct 23rd, 2004, 08:05 PM
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So now we are at the Musei Vaticani. It is 11:30AM and no line to speak of.
I did notice a woman with bare arms and wondered if they would let her in. There is even a sign with acceptable dress codes listed in case you didn't do your Fodors research.
After passing through the metal detector you are in a large lobby area. You follow the signs up until you get to the place where you pay for admission. (There is also a place to check coats and bags.) The admission was 12 Euro each. Before my dad had a chance to say anything I told him "no, you don't qualify, you have to be a citizen of a European nation." (For a senior citizen discount.) I did this before he could launch into his "is there a discount for a former service man" spiel and other discount spiels. (As I have gotten older I have learned to deal with these embarrasing events. Others include "I am a talent scout for xyz store" and when he introduces me as his mother and my sister as his grandmother.)
Once I safely had the tickets in hand we made our way up. Now the crowds started to get thicker. We tried to stick together, sometimes I had to grab onto the back of his shirt so we wouldn't get separated.
Each area and room we passed through was as beautiful as the next. I am not a Catholic but I really felt humbled in this awesome place. We kept going and going and going. Each room we walked into we expected to be in the Sistine Chapel. (A bit more reading up on what to expect would have been very helpful. My DK book says routes are 90 minutes to 5 hours long. I don't know how long it took us to reach the Chapel, all I know is that it was a while.) I would have loved to have dawdled in many of the areas, but my father was "hell" (sorry, couldn't resist) bent on getting "there."
When we finally entered the Chapel I was surprised at how small the room was. It was quite packed, but not as bad as I imagine it could get. There were people standing in the middle of the room looking up at the ceiling. Around the perimeter of the room were wooden benches attached to the walls. My dad and I made a bee-line for the benches and somehow my mother did not come with us. Unh, oh.
Dad and I sat on the bench looking at the upper walls and ceiling. I read to him from my DK book information on what we were looking at. (Just a note, he is getting hard of hearing and refuses to obtain a hearing aid. If you are going to read information to someone in a room that is supposed to be quiet don't expect them to catch everything you say. Especially when there is a guard clapping his hands every few minutes and shooshing everyone.)
I don't know how long we sat there but eventually we wondered where my mother was. I told my dad to stay put and I would go look for her. I walked around the entire room- at least three times. Then I stood on my tip toes and searched the center of the room. Then I quickly stepped on the alter stairs and peered around. No mother. I walked back over to my dad and told him "no luck." He was starting to get frustrated because he wanted to leave. I told him "don't move, I'll look again."
Off I went in search of mom. At the back of the room is another area, slightly separated from the front area. This area is near the exit from the Chapel and has benches as well. I look throughout this area and still no mother. Back I went to my dad to give him the news. We decided she must have left the area without us. But we knew how far we had walked to get there and had no clue as to how far we would have to walk to get out. Not only that but there appeared to be TWO exits from the room. There were three Vatican guards standing around and I went to them for help.
They were very cute and one of them noticed my way cool silver disc ring and pointed it out to his companions. Then the cutest one took my hand and kissed it. Heart palpitations! My dad just rolled his eyes and made agitated we must find mom noise. They indicated the correct direction for exiting and off we went.
Down and down we went. Through more vast rooms. I knew we would find my mother eventually and I kept wanting to stop and admire the displays but dad really needed to get out of there. He was starting to get very tired and his bad legs began to give him trouble. He was beginning to sweat a little too much for my liking. (It was fairly warm in there and the crowds didn't help.) We stopped and tried to ask a guard if there was an elevator down. We could not understand him very well and the explanation we were getting was too confusing for my dad to deal with so barked forget it and off we went on mom quest.
Eventually we got to a snack-bar area and I discussed the possibility of him going to get a refreshment while I looked for mom. Nope, not to happen. Off we went again. After more walking we arrived at MOM! There she was in deep animated discussion with a Vatican guard. I called out to her and the look she gave was total frustration. She started to ask where the heck we had been, why did WE disappear? She wondered if she should go back and gather up all the notes she had left with various guards regarding my father and I. I told her it wasn't necessary and out we went.
Once outside my parents really got into it. My mother blamed my father and my father blamed my mother. Thank g-d neither of them blamed me or I might have had to let them have it. (Too bad I didn't have that bottle of wine with me. But I was sure looking forward to more.
)
My dad said my mother disappeared on purpose and my mother said my dad always does this to her. I just tried to show them how silly they were sounding. We all kept sniping at each other until we got back to the hotel and to tell you the truth I don't remember how we managed to do that.
More tomorrow.
I did notice a woman with bare arms and wondered if they would let her in. There is even a sign with acceptable dress codes listed in case you didn't do your Fodors research.
After passing through the metal detector you are in a large lobby area. You follow the signs up until you get to the place where you pay for admission. (There is also a place to check coats and bags.) The admission was 12 Euro each. Before my dad had a chance to say anything I told him "no, you don't qualify, you have to be a citizen of a European nation." (For a senior citizen discount.) I did this before he could launch into his "is there a discount for a former service man" spiel and other discount spiels. (As I have gotten older I have learned to deal with these embarrasing events. Others include "I am a talent scout for xyz store" and when he introduces me as his mother and my sister as his grandmother.)
Once I safely had the tickets in hand we made our way up. Now the crowds started to get thicker. We tried to stick together, sometimes I had to grab onto the back of his shirt so we wouldn't get separated.
Each area and room we passed through was as beautiful as the next. I am not a Catholic but I really felt humbled in this awesome place. We kept going and going and going. Each room we walked into we expected to be in the Sistine Chapel. (A bit more reading up on what to expect would have been very helpful. My DK book says routes are 90 minutes to 5 hours long. I don't know how long it took us to reach the Chapel, all I know is that it was a while.) I would have loved to have dawdled in many of the areas, but my father was "hell" (sorry, couldn't resist) bent on getting "there."
When we finally entered the Chapel I was surprised at how small the room was. It was quite packed, but not as bad as I imagine it could get. There were people standing in the middle of the room looking up at the ceiling. Around the perimeter of the room were wooden benches attached to the walls. My dad and I made a bee-line for the benches and somehow my mother did not come with us. Unh, oh.
Dad and I sat on the bench looking at the upper walls and ceiling. I read to him from my DK book information on what we were looking at. (Just a note, he is getting hard of hearing and refuses to obtain a hearing aid. If you are going to read information to someone in a room that is supposed to be quiet don't expect them to catch everything you say. Especially when there is a guard clapping his hands every few minutes and shooshing everyone.)
I don't know how long we sat there but eventually we wondered where my mother was. I told my dad to stay put and I would go look for her. I walked around the entire room- at least three times. Then I stood on my tip toes and searched the center of the room. Then I quickly stepped on the alter stairs and peered around. No mother. I walked back over to my dad and told him "no luck." He was starting to get frustrated because he wanted to leave. I told him "don't move, I'll look again."
Off I went in search of mom. At the back of the room is another area, slightly separated from the front area. This area is near the exit from the Chapel and has benches as well. I look throughout this area and still no mother. Back I went to my dad to give him the news. We decided she must have left the area without us. But we knew how far we had walked to get there and had no clue as to how far we would have to walk to get out. Not only that but there appeared to be TWO exits from the room. There were three Vatican guards standing around and I went to them for help.
They were very cute and one of them noticed my way cool silver disc ring and pointed it out to his companions. Then the cutest one took my hand and kissed it. Heart palpitations! My dad just rolled his eyes and made agitated we must find mom noise. They indicated the correct direction for exiting and off we went.
Down and down we went. Through more vast rooms. I knew we would find my mother eventually and I kept wanting to stop and admire the displays but dad really needed to get out of there. He was starting to get very tired and his bad legs began to give him trouble. He was beginning to sweat a little too much for my liking. (It was fairly warm in there and the crowds didn't help.) We stopped and tried to ask a guard if there was an elevator down. We could not understand him very well and the explanation we were getting was too confusing for my dad to deal with so barked forget it and off we went on mom quest.
Eventually we got to a snack-bar area and I discussed the possibility of him going to get a refreshment while I looked for mom. Nope, not to happen. Off we went again. After more walking we arrived at MOM! There she was in deep animated discussion with a Vatican guard. I called out to her and the look she gave was total frustration. She started to ask where the heck we had been, why did WE disappear? She wondered if she should go back and gather up all the notes she had left with various guards regarding my father and I. I told her it wasn't necessary and out we went.
Once outside my parents really got into it. My mother blamed my father and my father blamed my mother. Thank g-d neither of them blamed me or I might have had to let them have it. (Too bad I didn't have that bottle of wine with me. But I was sure looking forward to more.
)My dad said my mother disappeared on purpose and my mother said my dad always does this to her. I just tried to show them how silly they were sounding. We all kept sniping at each other until we got back to the hotel and to tell you the truth I don't remember how we managed to do that.
More tomorrow.
Oct 23rd, 2004, 09:13 PM
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Sweetie, I see from the heading of your last post that you were up after midnight writing it.
I hope our praise doesn't feel like pressure, like a coliseum full of bloodthirsty fans roaring, "MORE! MORE!" As with anything else that's really good, we can't help getting a little greedy.
Midnight hour or not, your report is getting better and better. Your descriptions are so vivid, I would have no difficulty picking out your family on any crowded street, anywhere in the world.
So, take a deep breath and relax. You've earned the right to cruise for a while.
As long as it's just one of those short cruises, 'cause the gang of Fodorites waiting back here on the dock has already got the "Welcome Back, PLMN!" banners unfurled in anticipation.
I hope our praise doesn't feel like pressure, like a coliseum full of bloodthirsty fans roaring, "MORE! MORE!" As with anything else that's really good, we can't help getting a little greedy.
Midnight hour or not, your report is getting better and better. Your descriptions are so vivid, I would have no difficulty picking out your family on any crowded street, anywhere in the world.
So, take a deep breath and relax. You've earned the right to cruise for a while.
As long as it's just one of those short cruises, 'cause the gang of Fodorites waiting back here on the dock has already got the "Welcome Back, PLMN!" banners unfurled in anticipation.
Oct 23rd, 2004, 11:50 PM
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I'm laughing as I read...a cross between the Costanzas and Raymond's parents--reminds me way too much of my family though....and should your screen name be Bette Dresher or Fran Miller?
(And your attitude is awesome, I have to say, you handle your parents 'quirks' much better than many of us! No wonder you need a drink and cigarette now and again!)
(And your attitude is awesome, I have to say, you handle your parents 'quirks' much better than many of us! No wonder you need a drink and cigarette now and again!)
Oct 24th, 2004, 05:28 AM
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PLMN - This is tooooooo funny. I can't wait for the rest but please take a break, but not to long of a break. I am picturing my own family and feel better knowing there are others out there like us. We have been considering taking FIL to Europe next year but may rethink the enitre thing. I don't know how SIL's would feel if I had to report that I murdered their father at the Sistine Chapel. Keep it up, this is great. Take Care Jackie
Oct 24th, 2004, 05:30 AM
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I was thinking, perhaps I am making my mother and father sound somewhat unappealing. I don't want anyone to get the wrong impression. My mother really is a brilliant artist/architect/builder and my father is a kind, loving, and intelligent man.
I will be forever grateful to them for the opportunity to share Italy with them.
No matter what, I do love them...only it is REALLY apparent to me why my mother lives on the West Coast and my Dad on the East Coast (They have done this since the 1970s, still married!)
I will be forever grateful to them for the opportunity to share Italy with them.
No matter what, I do love them...only it is REALLY apparent to me why my mother lives on the West Coast and my Dad on the East Coast
(They have done this since the 1970s, still married!)
Oct 24th, 2004, 05:39 AM
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PLMN - Your parents don't sound unappealing at all, they just sound like our own parents, which is why we can all relate so well. Both of my parents have passed and I would give everything to have for an opportunity to bicker with them in the Sistine Chapel or anywhere else. Just wait until I get that trip report to Italy done, where we took the two twenty-somethings and their significant others, and you will see some bickering. However, we all have very fond memories of the trip and would do it again in a minute. Carry on, it's wonderful. JD
Oct 24th, 2004, 05:57 AM
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HI IRA!!
I'm not sure if she got in. I do remember some animated discussion taking place between her, her companion and an official looking individual.
I was trying to keep up with my folks and when I glanced back towards where the woman was, she was gone.
I'll have to write the next chapter after I get home from work tonight.
Tonight's episode is really quite low-key. Just a basic review of the restaurant we dined at. (Which of course leads to the first report of "card gone!"
I'm not sure if she got in. I do remember some animated discussion taking place between her, her companion and an official looking individual.
I was trying to keep up with my folks and when I glanced back towards where the woman was, she was gone.
I'll have to write the next chapter after I get home from work tonight.
Tonight's episode is really quite low-key. Just a basic review of the restaurant we dined at. (Which of course leads to the first report of "card gone!"
Oct 24th, 2004, 06:43 AM
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The story of your mom wandering off reminds me of when I went to Italy with my Dad and stepmom. We were at a train station and Dad said he was going to the bathroom. He was gone so long my stepmom and I got worried and thought he was either lost or just piddling around somewhere, unaware of the time. So we and started running around the station, frantically trying to find him. We were getting very concerened that we would miss the train. He finally appeared, seconds before the train was to leave. We asked him why he wandered off. He said he didn't, he had been in the bathroom the entire time. Then in front of everyone, he loudly reminded us that he had a large breakfast that morning, so that's why it took so long. Apparently had a lot of business to take care of before getting on the train. They got into it in front of everyone on the platform, and I just kept quiet. I only hope that those around us didn't understand English well enough to hear why Dad was delayed.
Your parents do sound quite normal. These things happen in all families. Please continue the saga.
Your parents do sound quite normal. These things happen in all families. Please continue the saga.
Oct 24th, 2004, 08:16 AM
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plmn,
Well, well, well. This just keeps getting better.
Your Dad is actually quite tactful. If I ever took my Dad to Europe, he would wear his "Where's my damn senior discount?!" shirt everywhere.
Also, dining descriptions can never be considered "low kwy" to some of us. Please, more.
Well, well, well. This just keeps getting better.
Your Dad is actually quite tactful. If I ever took my Dad to Europe, he would wear his "Where's my damn senior discount?!" shirt everywhere.
Also, dining descriptions can never be considered "low kwy" to some of us. Please, more.
