Italy Trip 2023

We started the day with a long walk to the Spanish Steps (in dry weather) Spent the afternoon at the Galleria Borghese, a museum with amazing works by Caravaggio, Benini, and Raffaello. We ended the day with another long walk in the rain back home, with a different view of the Spanish steps.

Remaking a picture from 20 years ago of Sarah, Zoe and Max.  This time with Mark next to the statues of Castor and Pollux. Overlooking Rome from the Capitoline hill. Temple of Jupiter (?) in the ancient Roman Forum. A funny thing happened on the way to the Roman Forum. . .  Inside the Colosseum -- incredible history, architecture, and engineering! Then off to a different Colosseum to watch the Roma v AC Milan football match They delivered goals and a good match -- so many talented players on the field like Giroud, Leao, Abraham and Tonali.  Looking for a post-match snack and local wine, we happened upon an amazing little restaurant lined with wine bottles that could fit the two of us in.  It was, appropriately, named Ad Hoc.

There are a lot of little town squares in Rome with either statues or fountains (or sometimes both).  They can be of saints or ancient Roman rulers, and here I found a rare statue of Jedi Bellisimo!

We were lucky enough to have a pro soccer match happening while we were here.  So, being soccer players / fans since we were kids, we had to go!   Italy has one of the highest level leagues in Europe.   AS Roma vs AC Milan!   Here’s what it sounded like: https://youtu.be/beC7WjBG694 Final was 1-1 with bothering goals in extra time at the end.  Really exciting!   Afterward, we went to a really nice restaurant that we had been planning and anticipating for months in advance.    Or maybe we just happened by it on the way back (note the restaurant name) and walked in. When we entered, they asked if we had reservations.  When we told them no they said, well please take this seat right next to the front window - even with us in our sweatshirts.  Sometimes things just work out. 

One of my bucket list items checked off.  Incredible tour of an ancient structure.  Dude!  I’m at the Colloseum!! Looked a lot like a modern stadium.   Then I realized, No, modern stadiums look a lot like IT!!!   This is the original.  

 Dragon statue on our neighborhood fountain Wine tasting at our cooking class with Jake from Manchester Mark making pasta Fettucine! Proud pasta makers At the Colosseum

 The Pantheon in central Rome In the Vatican, on the way to the Sistine Chapel  The Piazza Navona with fountains and churches and fashion, oh my! Mark on a street Andy on a street At St Peter's Square, which is round

Trevi fountain and sunset.  Me and Andy at Trevi - circa 1762 We had dinner on Urbana street.   The Colloseum!!   We shave tickets for tomorrow morning.  Drinks with a colloseum view  We started the day with a clsss on pasta making.  So fun! St Peter’s Bascilica.  Incredible architecture.  Out of a neighborhood and into Vatican City!!