Blurbing

In Rome today, our third day here. Staying at Holiday Inn-Eur Parco De Medici. Funny, feels like home — maybe because the hotel rooms are much like those we stay in when we’re traveling with hubby. Restaurant (La Serra) has good food — a bit on the overpriced side, but considering that we were dead tired after coming home last night and they serve food ’til 10:30, you won’t find me complaining. My timballo with gamberi was actually well executed (no pics, we forgot to take the camera when we went downstairs), and made me think of Filipino palabok, but spicy. DD-17 had her favorite — pasta with carciofi (artichokes).

Yesterday had breakfast at the Beehive — we were the only ones in their cafe at 9 am, and the cafe only seats about 10 anyway, so it felt really cozy and home-like. Nixed plans to get in line for the Colloseum and instead went to Feltrinelli (the boys’ request) so they could read/buy some English books and had lunch at Dagnino. Give the boys books, give me and Aisa food, and give Yena a souvenir and we’re all happy. Mostly we wandered around Feltrinelli, and spent most of our time at a place that we loved-loved-loved: Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri. Later we attended Mass at Basilica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme. Too late we found out that all cultural sites were free for the week (last day today) because of Natural Culture Week or some such event… but eh. It was nice and relaxed to just wander and not have a schedule or goal in mind.

Friday we had come in early and parked near the Villa Borghese, and again wandered in and out of streets and alleys, with the goal of Trevi Fountain on one end and Santa Maria del Popolo on the other. Made it to both but the church was closed, so we didn’t get to go in. Had gelato at Giolitti (try saying that 10 times) and shopped at Vertecchi, mostly for stuff Yena and Paco will need for their sacramental prep albums. Major finds of the day:

— whoops, sorry to run, but aisa’s laptop is out of battery!! Don’t know when we’ll get back online, but hopefully soon.