I can't believe this post is still going on and on. I got kicked off as Theresa10 for speaking my mind, I know hard to believe.

I can't wait to add to this post later in the year, Hello to all the Italy fans.

Theresa - Who, you? I didn't realize you had been kicked off - I just thought you had changed to this ID because of your new grandbaby.

I think this has been topped again because so many of us enjoyed it that we refer others to it when they ask about our favorite trip reports.

All the best in your adventures.

I know hard to believe, Me getting kicked off fodor's. I was shocked, all I did was respond back to some haters, and BAM I was kicked off. At first I was shocked, what was I going to do? DUH, just start over with a new alias Mamaw (yep, cause I'm a grandma)

I am thrilled if anyone is still enjoying this post. I have re-read it a couple of times just to laugh or get info to pass to someone traveling to Rome.

Our big trip with My Husband's family is a cruise in Dec. and then next year Sicily, and I can't wait. So you know I will be surfing fodor's for info.

God Bless everyone on this somber day, and remember, pray for someone else, they likely need it more than we do.

Whole Lotta Love outta of Detroit.

Theresa,

I'm shocked, to say the least.

Theresa/Mamaw (I'm called Mamaw too!) rules. Thanks, Julie

Julie The first time My Granddaughter Alyce said Mamaw I thought I'd cry myself silly. My Husband called me on my cell and told her to say Mamaw and she did and I about died of happiness. NOTHING can be better than this.

Your Right Mamaw Rules.

Life is good at Mamaw's House.

bkmark

here it is...I'm going to read it again just for laughs....

Mamaw aka THERESA

Also bookmarking to read later. :)

Theresa, it's been a long time. Good to see that you are still here as Mamaw. Just wanted to say hi and send another note to let you know that I remember you and all of your wonderful posts. jg

Mamaw aka THERESA,

I loved your trip report. Many of the incidents and experiences you dealt with brought tears to my eyes - they were written in such a vivid, visual manner. I especially admire the way you dealt with others' attitudes - the family you traveled with, the people you encountered on your trip, and those who criticized you on this site.

You have received many compliments on your ability to bring meaning into other peoples' lives.

Thank you for writing.

Beth

Beth; Those are the kindest words I have heard in a very long time. I have had a hard day. Worked non stop (I'm talking one pee pee break) all day at the restaurant. We all busted ass for that matter, and I finally got a chance to sit down and have some quiet time and Lo and Behold, sweet, kind and considerate words from someone goes along way. You don't know how much that post means to me.

Thanks and have a wonderful and blessed night.

Mamaw Theresa - Thank you for your reply and your blessings. I did sleep well.

Your writing is very powerful because you are able to retain the moment - the details and expressions and your own reactions and memories. This is a rare gift.

The main thing - your honesty. Instead of telling you it "brought tears to my eyes", I should've told you I cried through four paper towels and left them sopping on my desk, ruining other papers.

Thank you for writing.

Beth

bookmark

I re-read this last night and I forgot how many spills chills and thrills we had.

Betsy, truly Thanks for letting me know how much you enjoyed the trip report. It was so worth the critic's stones. And I am so over them. I did a trip report about a missionary trip I took to Costa Rica with Highschoolers, and man did I get tore up. The europe board was grade school, the Latin America bunch were high school bullies. I still finished despite the stones they tossed my way.

I am going to try to post some of the pictures. I am so not up on how to post pictures, but with my honeybaby's help I will. We actually put all our pictures on CD's this summer. We want to keep it all in tact for our grandbaby Alyce.

God Bless, Theresa

How in the name of heaven did i miss this trip report? Thank you, kybourbon, for the link...it is the best report I have ever read, both in terms of content and style, and in my former life I was a reporter and editor.

Mamaw, I just have to say it again---I love you!

Bookmarking to read later

kswl NO NO NO I love you! Thanks for say such nice things about my TR.

I really am trying to write a book so it's really funny that you should tell me that you did in your former life. The book is about waitressing and restaurant life and stories I have askes family friends and strangers if they would buy such a book and they said they would. I have given them some examples of what I had written and they rolled with laughter. Some said I should do stand up, but that's not me, just a book to keep up the laughter.

Just put a bunch of pic's from this trip on facebook if anyone's interested. It's under Theresa Thomas-Marino

Theresa I have spent every spare minute the last 2 days reading your report. Priceless!!!!

You took me back to Rome and Pompeii like nothing else ever has.

Just a perfect report....by far the best I've ever read.......I loved every minute of it.

Thank you so much!!

timlin, Oh my word! You just made my day! I am so glad you like the trip report. I have been back to Italy not long after but nothing will compare to the first time, EVER! And posting the pic's were killing me. I laughed my butt off remembering some of the funniest stuff. Like the burned out car not far from our hotel. We were shocked to see that, but then again, not really. We are from Detroit after all. But I had forgotten we wrote in the suet on the window, Welcome to Detroit! Now that is funny.

Thanks again. And if you get a chance check out some of the pic's.

Mamaw, I must have skipped this in 2005 because I wasn't planning a Rome trip, but I'm sure glad it got topped now!

I'm heading there in 6 weeks and I've already enjoyed it--through your eyes!!

Thanks for a great ride!

P.S. How is your FIL??

mel You will have the time of your life in Roma. And my FIL is doing great. We have taken him on a cruise and florida since then. We are working on getting him to Cancun next.

Mamaw -- I want to look at your photos but I don't know how to do facebook. Do I have to friend you? Or what? Thanks.

wlwil I'm not sure, but I think you do have to ask me to be your friend. But of course you never have to ask can you be my friend. I have looking high and low for the picture of the momma getting ready to kick the motorbike guy's ass.

Mamaw, I have also only recently found this report while researching for my future trip and I absolutely LOVED it. One of the all-time best. I felt like I was taking every step with you.

((F))

marigross Thank you so much for your kind words. Check out the pictures on facebook, they really help tell the story. God Bless. Theresa

I just got back yesterday from a wonderful week in Rome and tonight I found your amazing trip report. Your story, your family, and your terrific spirit will be part of my happy memories of Rome! Mille grazie!!

eastbayer, I can't tell you how wonderful your words made my heart feel. I am at home sick 3 days now (I'll live) and thank God for fodors. It's kept me busy.

Welcome home and I am so looking forward to your trip report.

Love Theresa in Detroit

Theresa,

I am about to head to Italy with my husband and parents and truly enjoyed your report . . . I feel a bit more "prepared" now, to say the least!
We are doing venice, florence, and rome (with a day trip to pompeii). Can't wait! thank you for the great report.

dcm Have the time of your life...

If you'd like a good restaurant which my family LOVED (we went there 3 times) is...

Henry Cow (now that's italian)
via flavia 59/61

They open around 7pm. The meat sauce was so good. My DH said it reminded him of his papenia's.

Oh Mamaw, I already wrote that one down after reading your glowing report of it!!! we are excited.
thank you for the recommendation!

bookmarking

bkkkkkk

Theresa-
Just finished your trip report and you have another fan!!!
Now I will try to find your pictures and your other trip reports to enjoy.
Thank you so much for taking the time to entertain us all!
This thread will probably continue for years to come!!
Debbie

Debbie your killing me! That is so nice of you! Were thinking of going to Mexico next year for our family trip I hope it's as great as this one was.

Theresa in Detroit.

OMG, we sat around and talked about this trip for hours the other night. We (well not me) about fell on the floor laughing about my FIL telling the restaurant owner in Roma that he charged too much money for the food. It was not funny then and not too funny now either. I butted in "hey, that man gave us drinks as a welcome to Italy" but that didn't stop them from laughing.

The pictures brought tears, laughs and oohhs and ahhss all over again. My family is actually thinking about doing a trip back there. I'll believe it when I see it.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph. The next time I go to Italy it will be with my Honey or solo.

Theresa - Did you post a link to your Rome pictures? I don't remember seeing them.

ky there are some on facebook! In fact I have a ton of pic's on face book. Are you on? I'm in the fodors section.