I am exhausted! I spent the entire day dashing around, getting intimately acquainted with the Roman Metro system and seeing some amazing things.
I left my room this morning after a simple breakfast of tea and bread with butter and jam. It was too early to use the hop-on-hop-off bus so I bought a metro ticket and made my way to Vatican City. Vatican City was amazing and I am going to write a post about it, but I am way too tired to do it justice tonight, so remind me to tell you about the Raphael rooms, the Sistine Chapel, the Swiss Guards and St. Peter’s Basilica.
After spending the morning at Vatican City I caught the metro to Piazza Barbareni to go the catacombs. We stopped at three different locations: The Catacomb of Domitilla, The Church of San Clemente, and the Cripta Dei Cappuccini. All three of these were amazing and I am going to write separately about them later this week.
I made the classic mistake of wearing new shoes today and after 12 hours of walking around my feet are mangled; I literally had to limp back to my room! Before I made it back to my room I had to stop for dinner in the square. I found a very cute little restaurant that served a fantastic potato, bean and tarragon soup that was perfect after such a long day. I also had a salmon and gorgonzola lasagna which was surprising and tasty.
Now I am back in my room and ready for bed. As tempted as I am to include a picture of my feet to show off my war wounds, I will not do that to you. Instead, here is a picture of a very cool piece of street art I found in the little square my room overlooks.
Tomorrow I am traveling back to ancient Rome when I visit the Coliseum!
much more muchier 
Wow – cows in Italy must not be the same I remember as a growing boy in the country.
I did master however, the art of drinking the stuff while shutting off my taste buds to please my mother. Just a different perspective for you to consider Ericka. The other memory that readily kicks in is the dreaded assigned chore to make butter. After processing milk to collect cream through a seperator – a machine with top hopper for milk, turn the big handle – result fresh cream. Next – cream placed into a quart jar – and for 30 to 50 minutes of manual shaking – butter is produced. Can you think of a more tedious /boring chore for a young lad?
Riding cows (male and female) always provided more fun for one looking for action on a farm. Cows are funny vehicles and are quite accomplished to get rid themselves of unwanted passengers.
I really do like your reporting – keep sharing your travels.
Keenan, our grandson travelled France and similar areas you are enjoying – he also sent a daily log with story and pic’s.
Hope you do not mind different views and responses to your writing – just my nature to expand on discussions.
Rome is the ultimate history lesson to visit. Did you know that ruins of a miniature collesium exist close to the main collesium? Gladiators practiced their talents to please viewers and most latter to die. Tunnels under roadways from practise facilities to the big theatre were found to give passage from A to B.
Must run for the moment – will reply again soon.
Keep well.
Best regards,
From: Vince
Hi Vince! Shaking that butter jar must have been boring but I bet you had the strongest arms of any kid around!
Hello Erica
Actually my strong arms turned into butter – became a weakling for many years thereafter. Regained strength following my doctors suggestion to ‘not do that any more’.
Apparently some people live and learn – others just live, that’s what my dad used to say to me when things went askew.
I’m sure you are patched in to the ‘Japan report’, how very sad.
During my mid 20’s – my NDT work at a neuclear reclaiming facility in upper state NY – roughly 30 miles west of Buffalo – gave me some insight about plant architectures to accommidate cooling rods positioned in deep water wells and related technologies, etc.
I can appreciate what causes there are for melt-downs. Mankind harnesses power – from nature, often nature will take back what is hers.
How refreshing your milk story is by comparison ( No pun intended)
We have had a horendous winter with abundant snow – in fact it is snowing today.
Most of our population can’t wait for spring time in the rockies.
Keep cheerful
From: Vince