Vatican

Sat we went into Rome.  We took 2 subway to get there.  We decide to book a tour and we were glad we did.  One thing the tour does is saves you from standing in line and the other it would be hard to find your way around.  Our tour guide was an American who went to college in Italy, after she finished and went home, she decided to come to Italy and live,  She was very good and we had a small crowd of 9 people.  After the tour we got her number to call if we want personel tours.

The Vatican was awesome.  We saw the Sisine Chapel and the museum, I like St Peter's church the best.  This place was really big.  It took about 3 hours of walking and up and down stairs.  My legs hurt!  I will post some pictures on facebook.

We we got out it was about 5:30, so we were then trying to figure out how to get back to the subway.  We were let out a different exit than we went in.  Downtown was alive, lots of people on street.  Lots of shops.  We stopped at a cafe to get something to eat and then asking the whole way to different people, where is the Metro!  We found it and arrived at home.

Looking forwar to next weekend to see something else.

More about living in Rome

I told you about the driving here but I wanted you to know that all the cars here are little.  Lots of smart cars and parking is hard to find.  So, when they need a parking space and none available, they just make their own.  Pull up on the sidewalk or park in back of someone.  Also when they turn, they use all lanes to turn left.  Richard just goes crazy!  You may be thinking about the police!  What!  Who cares what you do..

Drinking glasses, they are all small, even the plastic ones.  When I say small, I mean small.  Plus no one serves ice.  Now when a sign on a cafe says bar, that not mean alcohol bar.  It means they have a espresso bar.  All the cafes has a counter people go up to and order a little cup of espresso.  They all crowd in at the bar and down a cup of espresso.  That gets you going!

By the way don't send us any mail, we are still waiting for our land lady to give us a key to our mail box.  We are trying to go to the Vatican this weekend.  I hope the weather will be good.

More later...

Living Via Luigi Lilio 26

Settling in our apt on Luigi Lilio street.  1st I have to tell you that there no houses here.  It is all all high rise apts.  Where we live is in the suburbs outside what they call central Rome.  Central Rome is downtown where all the history is.  We are abou 15 minutes away.  We are closed to Richard's office. 

For our stove I have to lite the gas pilot to turn on.  The washing machine only washes about 4 items and there no dryer.  You have to hang you clothes on the clothes line.  The apt was supposed to be fully furnished but only had several items we didn't want.  We had to find our way to Ikea, which is the big thing here.  Oh, the heat is turned on aound 6am and turned off at 10pm.

Now, for driving!  You just have to take your chances.  We got a car for a month to see how it was.  I admitted it is convenient to have but look out when you drive.  Everyone is in hurry and they will run over you if you are in their way.  So, you have to run them over 1st and honk!

Shopping!  Stores open around 10am and small one closes from 2:30 - 4pm and reopen.  You have to paid for a shopping cart.  No worry, no one buys alot at one time.  Plus, no parking lots for parking and when you check out they don't bag your groceries.  They throw you a bag to bag your own and you better hurry, someone elses groceries are coming down.

We have been to the mall, like the galleria and there is clothes, clothes, shoes and purses!

Now you are asking that is what you have done in Rome?  Remember, Richard does work and the weather has cold and raining.  So, I hope soon we call get out and see ancient Rome.

Will keep all updated!