From Roman Holiday to Arrivederci Roma...

I will start with Happy May Day (yet another Holiday in Italy)... It's their version of our Labor Day so everything is closed and everybody has off. I kind of feel bad for the tourists because literally everything is closed (even some restaurants). Unfortunately, Tom is in Switzerland so he does not have off, actually, he is in an all day meeting...yuck! I am posting this blog then I may just go for a walk - it is finally beautiful outside!

Now let's go back to the title...

Our Roman Holiday is finally coming to an end. It looks like this will be the last month we live in the Eternal City! So, Arrivederci Roma!

We have received notice that our Swiss Visas have been approved and we will be picking them up in Friday. The relocation company has sent two moving companies over to the apartment to provide quotes and we presume they will be packing everything up the last week of May.

Tom & I will be heading to Lausanne next week to do a little house/apartment hunting in our new adoptive home. Should be interesting - can't wait to see what they show us...

We will keep everybody posted on the updates as best we can!

So, while I have been waiting for everything to kick into gear and Tom has been traveling...I have been trying to keep myself busy. In the past week or so we have had...

• A celebration for the second term for the Italian President - Giorgio Napolitano. He wasn't re-elected he was asked to continue for a second term as president. Napolitano is 87 years old and the first Italian president to serve a second term. This could go on forever because the Italian constitution has no prevision for length of service. He is also the first president of Italy from the Italian Communist Party (now relabeled 'the Democrat Pary of the Left') originally elected in 2006. The city had a huge parade and party in the center of the city...including all the pomp-n-circumstance that goes along with the job. 

Down by Il Vittoriano...

...all the Armed Services...

...were there...

...and showing off!

After the parade was done I took a bus back up to the park (to get home) and the military packing up. If I could run quicker I would have snagged the sword and hat...heehee

Just sitting there calling my name...

Put the horses & uniforms away...

• Wanting to get away from the crowd I took a walk over to the Chiesa del Gesu (the mother church of the Jesuits in Rome). The church was first conceived in 1551 by Saint Ignatius of Loyola (the founder of the Society of Jesus - the Jesuits). The church was completed and consecrated in 1584. It is an amazing church with some of the most beautiful frescos, marble work and sculptures...

Amazing ceiling...

...beautiful alter & a...

...mirror to see it all!

The detail exquisite...

...the shear size...

...& majesty! 

Just amazing...

...the detail and beauty!

The Gesu definitely ranks as one of the most beautiful and inspiring churches I have seen in Italy!

It is definitely a must see if you visit Rome!

Since the weather has been getting nicer I have been going back to wandering during the day. Here are just few photos from those wanders...

Got Milk?

Besides trying to enjoy the weather I am still finishing up some projects at the Art Studio. I have finally finished my version of Rodin's Adam (he is waiting to be baked) and I started painting my bowl (titled 'Two Seasons'). Take a look...

When complete he will be painted...

...with a bronze patina! 

Added a white glaze...

...& started painting the details!

Other than those things, I wanted to share just two more items...

• I want to title this photo as 'When do you get to do things like this'. I recently went to my dentist for a cleaning and since it was my last dentist visit in Rome I wanted a photo. My dentist's office sits across from the Spanish steps and here is my dentist with his dental assistant - this is what I get to look at when I am having my teeth cleaned...when do you get to do things like this...

• Lastly, I had the honor of being invited to an Italian friends birthday party last night. It was a wonderful time of eating, drinking and enjoying pleasant company. I would like to thank Zaven & Luca for inviting me and I want to wish Luca a very Happy Birthday (Buon Compleanno)! I was asked to make an 'American' Cheese Cake for the celebration - so here it is:

...and Yes, it was as good as it looks! Bravo to me!

OK - enough for this posting - 

As always I want to wish everybody much health and happiness!

We love you all and hope to see you soon!

Abbracci a tutti!

Love 

Ron & Tom