Food and Fountains!

Today we had a pretty laid back day that consisted of wandering around piazzas and eating food! We found a street market right by our hotel and I got a case of fragola that we super fresh, yummy, and on occasion very tiny!

Brad had broccoli and bacon pizza for breakfast and it looked delicious!! We also had pizza for lunch... and I'm thinking we'll have pizza for dinner...

We walked from our hotel over to the Trevi fountain! It was absolutely packed! Some police kept blowing their whistles and yelling but we couldn't figure out who was doing what wrong. Maybe they were just doing it for their own amusement? We both threw our coins in, took a picture and then continued on our way through the crowds

Our next stop: The Spanish Steps! We had a poll about how we should walk up the steps... and it was a tie between 2 at a time and like a crab. Sorry to inform everyone ... but due to the extreme heat... and all the fake designer bags for sale littering the steps ... it was slow and steady one step at a time. But we made it to the top!! Hurrah!! Mini-fist-pump!

We didn't get many good photos of the steps because not only was the Opera setting up to perform there, there was some sort of protest happening as well!

I was pretty hot by the time we had done all of this walking, so I stopped for some Gelato! Mixed Berry! This was my fourth gelato in Italy and now I know why it's so popular (other than the deliciousness) - it cools you down like nobodies business!! So delicious and refreshing!

I have determined that the point of Rome is food, food, and more food! And to cool you off between meals, gelato and fountains. It's a pretty good deal I think :)

All the walking has caught up with me and my feet are KILLING me!! But that's ok because tomorrow we leave Rome for Pescina in a RENTED CAR that Brad will be driving!! Wish him luck!! I think I will keep my eyes closed until we are out of the city....We might not have WiFi until Sunday or Monday ... so expect multiple updates once we are back online. Until then!! :D

The Vatican - again!

Brad didn't get quite enough Vatican yesterday so we went back again today after we hit up some shopping, fountains, and other notable Roman stuff (post to come). We were too tired to climb the dome of St. Peters yesterday and Brad really wanted to... so in the 30 degree heat I agreed. Sure 700+ stairs up an enclosed space with hundreds of other people sounds fantastic in this heat while keeping my shoulders and knees covered... and let me tell you ... it was!!!

And so it begins...

It was pretty hot as we made our way up, and there were these REALLY annoying people behind us that kept trying to budge while we were in line and Brad pushed them out of the way, lifted his hand and said "ehhh!" in a very Italian manner. We think they were gypsies... When we were walking up the steps they were right behind me again and kept invading my personal space and shushing people. We did the Canadian thing and let them pass us eventually.

We got up to the interior dome some 20 or 30 stories up. Look at the teeny people!!

There was a huge fence making sure that no one had an accident

As we went up into the dome, things started to get a little slanty...I am standing up straight.

So not only are you walking in tight circles, the walls are slanting inwards!! It was a little off putting. The final staircase was very scary with a little rope up the middle and a very tight spiral. I heard some people yelling "Finito! Finito!!" And then we saw this:

It was really amazing!! We could see right into the Vatican Gardens and all the way across Rome. It was hot and sticky getting up but man was it worth it!! Everyone up there was so nice and we were all helping each other take photos.

You can't really tell from this photo, but it was wall to wall people crammed in up there!! Hot, super high up, tons of people but an amazing view!!

Vatican-tastic!

I was planning on putting together this post last night but I slipped into a food and wine induced coma! More on that later...

Yesterday we watched the hockey game at 2am our time (great success!!) and then woke up early to make it to our Vatican Museum tour! We booked a tour with Through Eternity and our guide was Filipo! It was AMAZING!! I picked this tour because it was the longest one I could find - 5 hours PLUS a lunch break!! The tours are so worth it just to pass the huge lines! 

In the morning we were in the paintings gallery where they had lots of paintings including some from Raphael and Michelangelo. The was also a special collection of Faberge Eggs from the Russian Royal family! Alex do you want me to claim them for you ;)

After the giant paintings gallery it was time for lunch! And we are geniuses!! We finally found a supermarket and we had a picnic lunch at the Vatican cafeteria (and snacks later) for less than 4 Euro each!! We were getting some looks as we assembled our sandwiches but they were fabulous!! We also refilled our water bottle from one of the many fountains throughout Rome! SO budget!!!

The Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St Peter's Basilica are so amazing that pictures and words can't capture it. So just go if you can. It's definitely worth any money!!

Then after the museums we went out for dinner with my Uncle Chris! One of his colleagues from the University of Rome suggested a true authentic Italian place - not one of the touristy places. It was amazing!! We got there a little early - 7:30pm ... it was pretty empty. But by the time we left at about 10pm it was absolutely full! The owner was very nice and helped us pick food out - we ended up having a pasta course, a main course, and dessert as well as 1.5L of the house red wine! Everything was AMAZING!! Much wine and food later we were a happy bunch!

We walked back towards our hotel along the old wall of Rome where Uncle Chris discovered not only that there are (potable) drinking fountains throughout Rome (no... there is no cholera in the water... it's actually pretty tasty!!) but also the special way to make it easier to drink!

Overall a great day in Rome!! By the time we got back to the hotel we had been out and about for 14 hours and full of delicious food and wine!! Hence the immediate coma ;) 

Italian Gong Show

Well we made it to Rome! We flew into Rome Ciampino which I compared to Bellingham airport... and that wasn't reaaally a stretch. The gong show began at Ciampino. We all got off the plane and boarded these buses which one would assume would be taking us to a terminal of some sorts. It finally fills up and we head off to the terminal! Which happens to be a 12 second ride away... or directly on the other side of our plane. No joke. It took longer to fill the buses, drive them, and unload them than it would have to walk the 100 metres....

The gong show continued this morning. We were trying to find the Visitor center in the main train station "Termini" which is right by our hotel so that we could buy the "Roma Pass". I checked last night.... and FOR SURE there is one there. The problem was that we couldn't find it... and no one knew what we were talking about. Big sigh. After a good while and a mini tour of the shopping center at the train stations we went up to a random vendor and said "Roma Pass" and he handed two to us!!! What the hell!!

We took our newly found Roma Passes to the Colosseum!

Yay!! We took the Metro and everything! We arrived and there appeared to be absolutely no order to anything!! So we promptly ignored the giant line (which it turns out was the appropriate thing to do as we already had tickets). But in doing so we weren't able to rent audioguides because if you have a Roma Pass and skip the giant line there is NO WHERE for you to purchase one... random!! We finagled our way into an actual live tour which we were super excited about!!

But it turned out to be sub-par at best...

We have now accepted the absolute randomness of most things here. Coming here from London (that is preparing for the 2012 Olympics and is in FULL tourist mode) was kind of a shock! But we have lowered our expectations in terms of order and lines and such and are just going to do what the Romans do! Right?? ;)

Overall we had a GREAT day in Ancient Rome! We went to the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and the Forum! All of which were amazing!! I stepped in as tour guide part way through and just started reading aloud from the Rick Steves book! I was gathering a little following of people :) haha.

Day one in Rome - Gelatto count is already at 2! One Strawberry and one Chocolate and oh my gosh were they good!! Tomorrow is the Vatican and then dinner with Uncle Chris!!

Sorry for the lack of awesome pictures today! I forgot my camera at the hotel (GASP!) so we were using Brad's iPhone all day! I won't make the same mistake again!

Killing Time in the Park

After the changing of the guards we had a little bit of time to kill before heading (read: walking) across town to the train station. I wanted to bask in the sunshine in St. James park and Brad agreed more or less

And then it started to rain ... but it was still sunny and I refused to give in!!

And then it started to hail... like big chunks of ice... so I joined Brad under the tree. Not before encountering a very horny male pigeon!! He was trying to mate with all the lady pigeons! And none were interested! I got a video of the action and tried my best "David Attenbourgh" narration! The male was making tons of noise and puffing out his neck area

Then it started to really rain and we left to find our train station. :D

Changing of the Guards!

As promised we went to the changing of the guards this morning and it was fabulous!! We went on the walking tour with our backpacks because we were heading straight to the train station afterwards. I'm super glad that I packed light (less than 9 kgs!!). The tour was worth it! We found out that the changing of the guards starts at St. James palace with the old guard and then the old and new guards meet at Buckingham Palace! This is the old guard:

After they marched by us our guide quickly moved us across St. James park to see the new guard procession. I got a super awesome video! Check it out:

And after the old guard and the new guard had a little stand off at Buckingham Palace part of the new guard goes down to Clarence House where Charles and Camilla live. If we hadn't taken the (free) tour then we wouldn't have known any of that!! Thanks Original Tours!! We also saw the changing of the "LifeGuard" which are the guards on horses

This is part of Prince Harry's regiment! Does that mean that at some point he would have to guard part of the royal family?? Isn't that a little strange?? You know what else is strange?? How teeeeny the guards are. They fit right in your hand!

Changing of the Guards?

So we woke up super early this morning to get ready for our walking tour of the changing of the guards! Unfortunately we got to the tour office and found out the the changing of the guards was CANCELLED!! Nooo!! We are going back for a free tour tomorrow morning instead.

We decided to head over to Buckingham Palace anyway and see what was happening:

And it was a massive "Charity Run" 10k! So that threw a wrench in our plans!! But I still made it to the Goring Hotel! Check out my princess wave!

There was a late entry into the run!

After Brad finished up the race we headed to St. Paul's Cathedral for the rest of the afternoon. We took the "Supertour" and we got to hear the choir and organist practicing. We walked all 500 and some odd steps up to the very top dome of the cathedral. It was amazing!

We stayed for the Evensong service and listened to the amazing choir! And no one was pressuring me to fast forward through it **cough cough** Miranda, Andrea, Danielle, and Sarah **cough cough** . I'm excited for the Westminster Abby choir!! That will be when we are back from Italy and France. We fly out to Rome tomorrow!

Sightseeing London Style!

Today we took the "Original Bus Tour" of London! Yes, it's on a double decker bus! It was kind of expensive until we realized that it also included a river tour / cruise, AND any walking tours by the same company within 24 hours of your purchase!! The tour was great and we saw the hotel where Kate Middleton stayed before she became the Duchess of Cambridge! I'm going back tomorrow for a closer look! We were trying to get a nice picture in front of the Parliament building but it was a little windy up top!

 We hopped on the river cruise and headed down the Thames to Greenwich! So many crazy expensive "luxury" apartments on the river that used to be wharves! Apparently some of the 1 bedrooms are more than 1 million pounds!! And we thought Vancouver was expensive!!

In Greenwich we saw the prime meridian and all the official time stuff...

...but we didn't stand on the official prime meridian because that would have been 7 pound each!! Robbery!! So instead... we did this:

About 15 feet away from the official area behind a little house! Free!! We lined it up perfectly ;) haha. Overall a pretty good day!! Tomorrow we are headed to Buckingham Palace on a (FREE) walking tour to see the changing of the guards!! Should be good!!

Inappropriate Photos from the Tower of London!

I thought these should have their own post... I think they are awesome but slightly inappropriate. Overall the tower was great and I wish we could have spent more time there! But we got the Beefeater tour and saw the crown jewels and the White Tower, so I think we covered our bases. We also had enough time to take these pictures:

We have pictures that are far more appropriate and nice... but that wouldn't be fun for a blog now would it!! Enjoy :D

Football Hooligans Are Real...

So last night was the "match of the decade" apparently. It was the Champions League final in London with Barcelona playing Manchester United. There were Barcelona fans all over London! The only Man U fans we saw were some teenagers drinking giant beers in front of the aquarium...

We watched the end of the game in the street by Iain's house with a bunch of other people trying to catch a glimpse on a TV in a nearby bar. The MOMENT the game ended and Barcelona won 3-1 a giant beer can (half full after being partially shot-gunned) flew past Brad's ear and smoked the lady next to us in the head. Apparently the Man U fans in the car driving by were unhappy.... We left immediately. Brad thought that heading down to Trafalgar Square would be a good idea at the time - "going through the back door". Earlier in the day this was the scene:

 We did not go... could you imagine this scene after many many hours of drinking... scary!! My favorite encounter with some Barcelona fans was at the Tower of London.

I was under the impression that nothing phased the guards... except football fans!! They went up to take a picture in front of him standing in his little hut and he started stamping his feet and marched off!! He kept marching back and forth until the Barcelona fans left!! Pretty hilarious. :D