The tomatoes have slowed down greatly but we are still getting one or two every week. To replace some of the tomato plants that have died off - I planted some zucchini (keeping my fingers crossed).
Let's step back and catch everybody up on what went on since our last posting...
To start, I went back to the states and gathered my parents for a wonderful vacation in Rome. My trip back to NY was interesting - it seems I brought a hurricane with me. I was staying at James & Greg's when the hurricane hit - so what were we to do? We had a hurricane party - we didn't want the booze to go bad when we lost power... We lost power for about 12 hours but still had a good time. When all was said-n-done everybody and everything was basically fine. That's what matters!
So, I collected my parents and we headed off to Rome. This was my parents first time in Italy and they (and we) had a wonderful time! I posted most of our adventures on Facebook but will give you some of the photo highlights...
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| On the plane, heading to Rome! |
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| Dinner at Porta di Ripetta |
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| Lunch at the Eden (with wine) |
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| Villa D'Este in Tivoli |
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| Hanging in the Villa Borghese, Amore! |
It was wonderful to have Mom & Dad here and I think they had a fabulous time. They did well traveling around to all the popular Roma places. We had a great time at the Colosseum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, St. Peters Basilica, and St. Pauls Basilica. There was also many great dinners at some of our favorite place and even a few new ones.
The newest was an interesting little restaurant called Lilli's. Tom & I have heard of this place but had never been. Dad's heart doctor recommended that we go there...so we did! It was a tiny little joint stuck down an alley over by the river. The menu was simple and definitely authentic Italian. Dad had such a good time - he had 2 main dishes & wine! Go Dad!
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| and wine...good for the heart! |
Now, our next guests scheduled are in February of 2012 - so I will hang up my tour guide hat and go back to mastering the Italian language (not an easy task). I recently started listening to a daily pod-cast which teaches you simply Italian - it's fun! I am also still attending my Tuesday night group with ExPats in Rome - this is also fun! The people are good and the lessons are instructive but I am still not totally getting it (fingers crossed, soon).
Here are some of folks I have had the pleasure of hanging out with...
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| ...with Fabio at Cinque5Zero |
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| ...with Elisa & Sandra |
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| ...with Lisa Stone & 2 friends... |
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| ...with Sandra hanging at Le Bain... |
All really good people, fun to hang out with and I am glad to know them...
Thanks to Roberto for the photos...
Moving on...
Recently, Tom was bogged down at work preparing for two really big meetings. Thankfully, they both went very well and are now over! Now, I can have my Tom back...
That being said we decided to wander out to see some things we have never seen before. The weekend before last we took a wonderful drive to a little town about 45 minutes north of us called Orvieto. Orvieto is in southwestern Umbria and is on a flat summit formed by a volcanic tuff. It is an amazing beautiful and quiet town with unsurpassed charm. It's main attraction is a superb Duomo started in 1290 and is known for the 'Corporal of Bolsena'. A small piece of cloth that was bled on during a Canon Mass and was considered to be a miracle representing the Body and Blood of Christ... Beside that - Lunch was one of the most amazing meals we have had since being in Italy. The Ristorante "Il Giglio d'Ora" is a must-eat-at if ever in the Orvieto area.
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| Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo |
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| View of the Corporal of Bolsena |
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| At lunch "Il Giglio d'Ora" |
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| Wonderful little town |
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| View from atop of the wall in Orvieto! |
The other little adventure we had was right here in Rome. Tom wanted to go to St. Peters and climb the cupola (the dome). Mom, Dad & I had thought about doing this but the line was a little long. After doing this, I am glad we did not! There is an elevator that brings you up but only so far. After you get off the elevator you will need to climb another 323 steps through thin curved staircases and a few very thin spiral staircases...Mom & Dad would not have been happy. Even almost dying to get there - it is a must see! The view of St. Peters Square and the close-up of the dome itself is just breath-taking (no pun intended)...
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| View of the square from the cupola... |
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| The Dome of St. Peters...close up! |
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| Tom, inside the dome... |
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| Tom, ouside the dome... |
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| Escape to St. Angelo... |
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| This photo is straight... it's the hallway that's slanted... |
Ok, beyond a few adventures and the tail end of tourist season, everything is well!
All the Romans are back (as a friends stated - physically, not mentally), the weather is nicer, life is taking a turn for the slower and US TV Fall season has started...Finally!
At home in Richmond - the Richmond SPCA Annual Fur Ball is this weekend! We wish them much luck and know everybody attending will have a famous time! If you would like to get involved you can still buy raffles - just go to Fur Ball Raffle.
We would like to send our love and best to everybody -
We hope you are living life and enjoying it!
Till the next time - Abbraccia a Tutti!
Love always - Ron & Tom
Ciao
