4 Weddings and a Colosseum!

Buon giorno from Roma!

Michela and Marisa have come, seen, and conquered (well, almost) one last city! (Rachel and Mary Katherine, don't you remember veni, vidi, vici (sp?),...from Latin?). This morning we had a little rocky start. After trying to get out of bed...with our sore feet and aching muscles, we mustered up enough strength to at least get dressed. It was Michela's (JH) morning to take the first shower, so Marisa (KJ) got to sleep a few minutes longer. After the showers, Marisa (KJ) realized that a debit card was missing...so you can imagine trying to call a U.S. bank on a Sunday with an international operator. This was a bit of a challenge; however, Michela encouraged Marisa and we made it through.

After our slow morning, JJ's cohorts didn't give up on sightseeing. They joined every other nationality on the red, double-decker, sightseeing bus. Yes, you can picture it...the girls trying hard to keep the earpieces in, while riding high above all of the major sights. We took pictures of the sweat rings on our black shirts...it is hot. (Side note: Dimitri, our hotel desk clerk, says that it is not as hot as Florida yet. He says to be glad that we are not here in Agosto.) After the tour was almost finished, Luciana came over the loud speaker and said, "Ladies and gentleman-a, the bus-a will be broken-a at the next stop-a. You must-a get-a off-a at the next stop-a, but your ticket-a will be good for another-a day-a." How did she know that bus was about to break? JJ's friends thought that she, too, had ESP. My, these Romans sure are smart!

The tour ended, and we were tuckered out. Therefore, we scurried back to the hotel for another afternoon siesta. (Can you see that after 20 days, these two girls take more siestas? They are worn out.) After the siesta, Director Michela formulated a plan-a. Our itinerary included a visit to the Colosseum, then it would be off to the Trevi Fountain. The two tourists rushed over to ancient Rome where the archeologists are continuously excavating ruins. M and M were amazed at the sights. Then, in the distance, they saw it....the massive structure with ionic, dorian, and corinthian columns (this was part of the history lesson for the day) and arches around it. Yes, there it was...the COLOSSEUM!

As we started to move up to the beginning of the line, JH noticed that we had missed the last tour. So we just had our own tour of the outside of the building. (The siesta took precedence over the guided tour....but we were ok with that.) We marveled at the 2000-year-old history of this structure. We even took some self-portraits that you may see on the blog.

After our self-guided tour, it was time for...yes, you guessed it...more gelato! Carolina and Adam, didn't you tell us to eat as much as we can? Well, we both had a huge stracciatella cone today...while viewing another side of the colosseum. After that snack, we walked to an arch in the Roman forum, and we caught a glimpse of cat woman. This was a lady that was calling for cats and feeding all of the cats of Roma.

Around the corner, what did we see? 4 brides getting their "after-wedding" photograph-as in front of the Colosseum. Men were using their-a photographica machinas to take these pictures. Even people in Roma take funny pictures on their wedding day. One bride even was instructed to lie down on the grass and dirt to get a good pose. We didn't think that would have been worth the photo. All of you former bridesmaids out there, you would have been glad that you didn't have to wear the dress with the feather-embellished neckline in green satin with thin straps on the back. The feathers even continued down the back. All that to say, it would not be flattering on all or any figures. Hannah, Sunday is definitely the day to get married in Rome...you picked the right day!

The next item on the agenda was to make it to Trevi Fountain. Both of us threw coins into the fountain so we are promised to get back to Rome one day. After this ritual, of course it was time to eat again. In Italy, you either choose to see some sights, or you sit down to eat for a 3-hour meal. We chose the first, and we got some "Lean Cuisine"-type spaghetti from a local ristorante. Of course, the next stop was here...our easy internet cafe. (We couldn't let all of you bloggers down.) This place is cheap and has 250 computers, plus it is open until 2:00 a.m.

Sadly, the trip is almost over, but it has been one for the record books. One record that we have broken is how many times you can wear the same shoes, shirts, and even unmentionables in a row. One more tip for all of you long-distance travelers: when the woolite runs out, shampoo (from your friendly hotel) works just as well. For all of you that we will see in the next week, don't worry...some of these stinky clothes might be burned or banished for at least a month.

Thanks for sharing our trip with us. We are sure to post one more blog from Europa, then pictures might appear when we are back in the states. We are missing all of you dearly!

Love,
Michela and Marisa

P.S. Rachelina....happy early birthday to you...here it is in Latin (just picture Patsy singing it to us.)
Felicem tibi, natalem diem, felicem care Rachelina, natalem diem,.....et multi plus!

P.S.S. Tracy C., part of this blog was a work in writing in third person. How do you like it?