Rome For The Holidays: MaitaiTom's Eternal City Escapades & Christmas Caper
Jan 21st, 2010, 02:54 PM
#221
Original Poster
"You pack so much in that you must have some special organizational skills."
Tracy and our travel partners in crime, Kim and Mary, might say I pack too much stuff in our trips. Although not known as being overly organized in my real life (see work and errands), I do plan quite extensively for trips. I have a rough idea of what I want to do on each particular day, but that can change due to everything from weather to aching feet (usually after one of my day long death marches). Unless we have reservations at a museum, nothing is ever set in stone. Spontaneity on vacation is a good thing.
I do like to know a lot about the history of a place before I go. I think it helps one appreciate the visit that much more and makes you want to learn more once there. As for maps, I printed out some google walking maps for Rome and then hardly looked at them (I have always hated maps because when I try to fold them back up, they usually look like a really bad form of origami).
We used to have a phrase in college (well, one of the ones I can repeat here) that "the yucks come first." That's why I am just as glad to include writing about falling in bird poo or putting the wrong petrol in the car. They might not be funny at the moment, but usually, upon further review, these moments are pretty hilarious, yet can be of value to someone reading a trip report (for example, read the rental car manual or walk very carefully in a wet bird poo zone).
Tracy and our travel partners in crime, Kim and Mary, might say I pack too much stuff in our trips. Although not known as being overly organized in my real life (see work and errands), I do plan quite extensively for trips. I have a rough idea of what I want to do on each particular day, but that can change due to everything from weather to aching feet (usually after one of my day long death marches). Unless we have reservations at a museum, nothing is ever set in stone. Spontaneity on vacation is a good thing.
I do like to know a lot about the history of a place before I go. I think it helps one appreciate the visit that much more and makes you want to learn more once there. As for maps, I printed out some google walking maps for Rome and then hardly looked at them (I have always hated maps because when I try to fold them back up, they usually look like a really bad form of origami).
We used to have a phrase in college (well, one of the ones I can repeat here) that "the yucks come first." That's why I am just as glad to include writing about falling in bird poo or putting the wrong petrol in the car. They might not be funny at the moment, but usually, upon further review, these moments are pretty hilarious, yet can be of value to someone reading a trip report (for example, read the rental car manual or walk very carefully in a wet bird poo zone).
Jan 22nd, 2010, 01:58 PM
#223
Original Poster
Well here are the words I never thought would be written:
My Rome 2009 Trip Report WITH PHOTOS is now up on my website!
http://web.me.com/tomfielding1/Tom_%...e/Welcome.html
After clicking on the above link, go to Roma 2009 and Roma 2009 (2) and follow our story in living color. Any trip report that includes William Shatner, Xena: Warrior Princess and Mel Brooks works for me. I also have a slide show of the infamous photos, once thought to be lost to the sly security scoundrel at CDG.
As for Rome: we like Rome, but do not love it. Whereas Paris always seems to embrace us, Rome kind of kept us at an arm's distance on this trip. The weather might have had something to do with it. My hometown gelato guy was in Rome visiting family and friends at the same time and said he was miserable because it was so cold (that's what happens when you become California-ized). In any case, most everyone was cordial, but certainly not as openly friendly as they had been on our two previous trips. Then again, no one laughed at me while covered in bird poo, either (well, not to my face).
As for history, there's no place like Rome. After three trips, we still have not been to the Appian Way, seen a bunch of museums, and I gather we might even have missed a church or two. There is still more to see, and I can't believe how much we had missed on our other visits.
As for the food, I must say we were a tad disappointed with Rome. We had some great dishes along the way, but only a couple of memorable meals. I'm still waiting to see if I can get a piece of meat off that lamb chop at Ditirambo. But we did find out about the "broccoli from outer space" and, of course, I now have a new love interest, the lovely and tasty Zabaione. I'm trying out a recipe tomorrow night to see if the love affair can continue.
Health and luck permitting, I am sure we will one day be back in Rome, but not for quite some time because we have to move on to various new locales where I can fall on my keister. Thanks for all the pre planning help and for joining Tracy and me in Rome.
Enjoy The Journey! Attitude Is Everything!
My Rome 2009 Trip Report WITH PHOTOS is now up on my website!
http://web.me.com/tomfielding1/Tom_%...e/Welcome.html
After clicking on the above link, go to Roma 2009 and Roma 2009 (2) and follow our story in living color. Any trip report that includes William Shatner, Xena: Warrior Princess and Mel Brooks works for me. I also have a slide show of the infamous photos, once thought to be lost to the sly security scoundrel at CDG.
As for Rome: we like Rome, but do not love it. Whereas Paris always seems to embrace us, Rome kind of kept us at an arm's distance on this trip. The weather might have had something to do with it. My hometown gelato guy was in Rome visiting family and friends at the same time and said he was miserable because it was so cold (that's what happens when you become California-ized). In any case, most everyone was cordial, but certainly not as openly friendly as they had been on our two previous trips. Then again, no one laughed at me while covered in bird poo, either (well, not to my face).
As for history, there's no place like Rome. After three trips, we still have not been to the Appian Way, seen a bunch of museums, and I gather we might even have missed a church or two. There is still more to see, and I can't believe how much we had missed on our other visits.
As for the food, I must say we were a tad disappointed with Rome. We had some great dishes along the way, but only a couple of memorable meals. I'm still waiting to see if I can get a piece of meat off that lamb chop at Ditirambo. But we did find out about the "broccoli from outer space" and, of course, I now have a new love interest, the lovely and tasty Zabaione. I'm trying out a recipe tomorrow night to see if the love affair can continue.
Health and luck permitting, I am sure we will one day be back in Rome, but not for quite some time because we have to move on to various new locales where I can fall on my keister. Thanks for all the pre planning help and for joining Tracy and me in Rome.
Enjoy The Journey! Attitude Is Everything!
Jan 22nd, 2010, 02:42 PM
#224
Beautiful photos... another hit! I'm in sympathy with your feelings about Rome. We've been there five times.... and the last time it just seemed "different." (Plus we were cheated by a taxi driver.) But, all in all, if someone gave me a ticket I'd be on the next plane.
(Your orange cat's twin lives with us -
(Your orange cat's twin lives with us -
Jan 22nd, 2010, 02:52 PM
#225
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You handsome devil, you. Where, pray tell, are the photos of the Man in Bird DooDoo? Afraid to show us, hu...
Our favorite memory of our trip to Rome was going into Santa Maria in Trestavere at the end of a long sightseeing day. There was a choir of American college students singing gospel hymns, echoing off the rafters. Magic.
You are still the best!
Our favorite memory of our trip to Rome was going into Santa Maria in Trestavere at the end of a long sightseeing day. There was a choir of American college students singing gospel hymns, echoing off the rafters. Magic.
You are still the best!
Jan 23rd, 2010, 06:12 AM
#226
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Nice photos-again, so glad you were able to get them back. Many thanks for another excellent TR. We have missed the Capitoline Museum in our visits (how do you spell relief-har) and now have another reason to return.
I understand your mixed feelings about Roma but if you look at her as a cantankerous aunt who loves you, she's easier to embrace. Staying on her good side is the challenge!
I understand your mixed feelings about Roma but if you look at her as a cantankerous aunt who loves you, she's easier to embrace. Staying on her good side is the challenge!
Jan 23rd, 2010, 10:09 AM
#227
Original Poster
"But, all in all, if someone gave me a ticket I'd be on the next plane."
Me too! Still places to explore. I told Tracy last night I wish we had a picture of me after I had fallen, but sometimes in the heat (or in this case the cold) of the moment, you forget to take what might have turned out to be a very funny, albeit embarrassing, photo. Oh well, I'm sure I'll screw up on the next trip, so there will be more opportunities.
Me too! Still places to explore. I told Tracy last night I wish we had a picture of me after I had fallen, but sometimes in the heat (or in this case the cold) of the moment, you forget to take what might have turned out to be a very funny, albeit embarrassing, photo. Oh well, I'm sure I'll screw up on the next trip, so there will be more opportunities.
Mar 31st, 2010, 08:43 PM
#230
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Grazie mille indeed for the pleasure of travelling vicariously through your insightful & frequently laugh-out-loud trip reports. So finally I'm putting fingers to keypad to say thank you - but a little shamefaced as the motivation is to ask you to give Kim a hug from sunny autumnal Sydney for the tip on the BookSmart software which I'm using to create a photo book of our (no not me & Kim!) recent wedding and Christmas honeymoon in Singapore. It's such a cool program so thank you both so much. What a great forum this is.
Mar 31st, 2010, 11:35 PM
#231
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Leely2, a bit late, but I just now noticed your post:
>> I think I love Rome because it can be a bit challenging.
Me too, although of course Rome has so many magnificent things that I'm sure the challenge is secondary. The antithesis of a challenging city is Amsterdam. There are lots of things I like about Amsterdam, but I actually have said before that somehow it just feels too "easy".
>> I think I love Rome because it can be a bit challenging.
Me too, although of course Rome has so many magnificent things that I'm sure the challenge is secondary. The antithesis of a challenging city is Amsterdam. There are lots of things I like about Amsterdam, but I actually have said before that somehow it just feels too "easy".
Apr 1st, 2010, 03:53 PM
#232
Original Poster
"...I like about Amsterdam, but I actually have said before that somehow it just feels too "easy"."
After seeing the Red Light District years ago, there's something about having the words "Amsterdam" and "easy" in the same sentence that makes me chuckle.
After seeing the Red Light District years ago, there's something about having the words "Amsterdam" and "easy" in the same sentence that makes me chuckle.
Feb 3rd, 2012, 10:12 AM
#234
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Maitaitom: we just read your harrowing report of your "lost"!?!! cameras. What an ordeal!!! So glad you re-couped them. . .after much time, energy, and $$$. A lesson for all of us travelers: Watch your stuff like a hawk. And, maybe, remove the SD cards!
We enjoyed you whole report of Rome, so filled with information and humor, and will certainly refer to it for our next trip to that great city!
We enjoyed you whole report of Rome, so filled with information and humor, and will certainly refer to it for our next trip to that great city!
Apr 14th, 2013, 02:00 PM
#236
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What a great report! So much great info, and hilarious as well. Thank you for sharing all your stories about Rome. It will help with my upcoming trip. I'm glad you recovered your cameras and photos. I know how valuable these can be. Thanks again.
