JOURNAL
January
10, 2015
Hi all... this is
Schim, the dart board for Harry. I am pleased to
be traveling with the rascal????? I like arriving
at his destination early on. When you meet Harry
in a country and he has already been there a few weeks,
well, the darts come flying with pointed ends.
This time he is almost Humble Harry. Does not
sound like the Harry you know does it? He does not
even know the language well and is not correcting me
constantly. I know so little Italian and yet seem
to be close to his level. Well I guess not.
We do seem to have a few things
in common: we talk to everyone, love to drink, and
experience new foods. What is better? We
also like to take public transportation - we just jump
on and go where it takes us. If we are wrong we
just go in a different direction or explore that
area. I have a step counter on my cell phone and
can tell you that each day we have recorded from 6-7
miles. Not bad for the old timer.
Okay my impressions so
far... Lots of history here in Rome (which Harry
tries to keep me informed of). Lots and lots of
food and drink which is always okay. I do think
the Italians should tear down some of the old
stuff! They eat dinner too late. It rushes
us to get in three square meals (but we accomplish
it). Our apartment is great, and Harry has the
nice bed after he cried from fear of having to sleep on
sofa/sleeper. He takes longer in the bathroom than most
women that I know (only a couple).
I waited due to his insistence
that we meet at Rome airport. I got in at 8, he
arrived at 5 p.m.. It was great to have an all
night flight and then doze for a few hours in an airport
chair. He was the last one off the plane and out
of luggage check. I was worried that he died of a
heart attack and I would have to drag his body around
till Joan showed up! The cab ride to town was
questionable as cabbie said, “Yes, I know where it
is...”, well he dumped us off at the wrong intersection
and we had to pull our luggage up the hill to meet the
lady, thanks to a cell phone.
Stay tuned... the odd couple
will report more soon!
January 14, 2015
Rome, Rome... we leave tomorrow (Thursday), so I will
leave you my impressions of Rome and what it is compared
to what I thought.
I expected the traffic to be
worse than it is. Yes, busy but they stop for you if you
enter the crosswalk (probably helps that we are each in
excess of 250#). The cars are all small and the
so-called Smart Car is normal and not an oddity. 30% or
more are scooters? More than in any city I have ever
visited. Rome is full of tiny cobblestone streets and
reading a map is quite a chore (though we have not
tried). Transportation by tram/bus is quite easy, just
ask, someone will speak English. You only need to buy
the one day, or weekly pass and use it one time. No need
to show it each time. Harry and I have walked from 5 to
8 miles every day according to the app on my phone. His
phone is rotary dial I believe and he does not carry it.
I am not a historical buff and
the old buildings and ruins do not do much for me. They
are closer than I thought (walking)... of course I was
most impressed with the Vatican (thanks Joan for
suggesting that we do the tour). One thing new in the
tourist traps are the selling of selfie sticks! Yes,
mount your phone on an expandable stick and use blue
tooth to take a selfie (we have decided that the
building looks better without an old guy standing in
front of it).
The food is everywhere... I am
amazed that almost every restaurant has the same
offerings. Not that this is bad, but it seems like
pasta/pizza is the menu. Looking at the food display
could create hunger pains for everyone.
I have been with Harry one week
tomorrow and this is the first time that we have not
visited a pharmacy in the first day or two for one of
Harry's pains. I think walking has the old boy
healthy? Speaking of Harry, you should have seen
him figure out the washing machine, which took at least
4 hours to run.
On Thursday we are headed to
Pisa for dinner... yes, dinner. Admittedly we are told
that there's not much to see in Pisa (tower only) but
Harry insists that we go for dinner... only 6-7 train
hours out of the way. As if we need food. The
portions here are enough for 3 people, and of course we
finish our plates.
The weather: I was
concerned when I saw the temps to be high 50's (very
cold for Florida) but I have been quite comfortable here
with a light jacket and possibly a long sleeve shirt or
sweater vest. I am not sure that I would want it any
warmer.
Okay that is it for now.
I would use the Italian word for good bye, but spelling
is not easy in Italian.
January 18, 2015
Wow... a few exciting days!
First thing comes to my mind
is the difference in travel since the first exciting
trip I took with Harry. That was in 2004 when we drove
from Mexico to Costa Rica. To read email we
would stop at an internet establishment to do our
email, paying by the minute. At one time in Guatemala
we stopped where we saw a sign only to be led into the
living quarters of a small house filled with hammocks
that the family sleeps in. The mother told the son to
quit playing games and we used the one computer from
this "internet cafe". We would make phone calls from
places where you entered a cubicle in a small room
with no ventilation and paid by the minute. Getting
cash meant finding the one or two ATM machines that
would take your particular card. Now, of course, I
have a cell to accept texts, email and make phone
calls, as well as my camera. Harry, of course, is
still using his camera (one of several we have seen on
the trip as most use the cell phone for this purpose).
His telephone is not with him - different service. I
have T-Mobile that gives free international calling
and texts. Calling through WiFi or 20 cents per minute
on other calls. Okay, back to travel...
We had a great trip to Pisa,
though out of the way, it is one of the highlights for
us both. Train ride was super smooth and comfortable,
we were met at the station by David and Giorgio, a
team that well could be the best tour guides in
Europe! We walked the quaint downtown full of shops
and vendors which rivaled the shops of Rome. Our lunch
that day in a base of an old tower was sensational
because David the chef, did all the ordering... we ate
like it was our first and last meal. We stopped at an
exclusive chocolate shop, friends also... oh my! I did
enjoy seeing the leaning tower... very bright white
now, and the contrast with the green grass (at this
time of year) was spectacular. For dinner that evening
we were picked up by David's brother, his wife and
young daughter for the 10 mile ride to another town
and home of David's, a first class restaurant.
Needless to say David and Giorgio treated us to dish
after dish, only interrupted by glasses of fine wine.
I was overwhelmed by the treatment. Oh, and David's
brother is from Florence who drove specifically to
dine and transport us. They stayed the evening as it
is an hour or more home... what a sacrifice with a
beautiful 4 month old!
Friday morning we were up for
an early train ride back through Rome and on to
Naples. Our hotel (selected by Harry) turned out much
better than the one I chose in Pisa, and was very
affordable, and large, with bright colors. Prices are
so reasonable... only $55 or so for a double, I am
sure the season helps.
Saturday morning after
another hotel buffet breakfast, we headed to the local
train for a ride to Sorrento on the Amalfi coast. A
local bus was leaving at the train station for only 5
dollars for a trip to Amalfi - round trip. The bus
ride to Amalfi was one and half hours long. I could
have taken 300 pictures of the hilly, narrow road with
views of the water and homes stacked on top of one
another facing the sea. It is truly a spectacular ride
and site to see. When Harry was not covering his eyes,
he too enjoyed the ride. We had a great lunch (pizza
of course) in Amalfi. On the return I sat directly
behind the bus driver - mama mia, how he can meet
cars, trucks and dodge the cars sitting along the road
is a marvel. Going around the curves he honks his
horn. I am glad that the other drivers could hear!
Anyway, it was a great day.
This morning we leave at
10:00 for a 8 or 9 hour train ride to Palermo,Sicily.
I am told that the train in some way gets on a ferry
of sort to cross into Sicily. As Harry would say, stay
tuned!
Chow? Seems all we do
is chow!
January 22, 2015
Hola from Sicily, oh I know,
Hola is Spanish, but I am so fluent in Spanish, so
that is what I use!
I have a few suggestions for
the lady readers: bring only a black jacket,
black boots, and black tights... throw in a toilet
seat (public ones do not have them), and it would be a
good idea to also bring a pizza slicer, as the pizzas
are never sliced. Just a few pointers for you.
I am typing this on my note 3
telephone as I am unable to log on with my computer in
this room. Oh speaking of the room, it is magnifico -
a convent in Siracusa right on the water, 4 star
hotel. Last night I showed the sister pics of my
grandkids and my 97 year old mother, she smiled and
said something. The small streets fit a little car
parked and just enough room for another to go by, if
you fail to fold in the mirror, oops it is broken.
Harry has treated me well,
the restaurants all have 8 pieces or more of flatware
and 6 glasses, and a white tablecloth of course. My
bowl of fish stew (20 euros) had a small little fish
(head intact) floating, two shrimps and fish broth.
Oh, I forgot all the fish scales! I miss David and
Giorgio in Pisa. Today at the market (I chose)...
vino, warm ricotta cheese and a huge sandwich made by
a man with 12 ingredients on a large bun! Price? 6
euros.
A few notes for Harry, please
email him (he is lonesome when he does not hear from
all of you). Someone buy him
headphones for his upcoming birthday, the ones in the
ear do not fit. It is good if you can remind him of
words he forgets. Between the two of us we do tend to
remember most things.
Okay, bottom line, we are
having a great time. Think Mutt and Jeff or the Odd
Couple. People on the street or public transportation
must think we are both crazy! That's it for now, ariva
something or is it adios? Oh my, home soon.
January 29, 2015
I'm Home!!! I arrived
home last evening after a 20 hour day. It was three
flights, one from Sicily to Rome, then to
Atlanta and on to Orlando. About 14 hours in the air.
I did upgrade to Economy Plus which is good for the 11
hour long flight. Yes, Harry, they gave us free food!
:)
I enjoyed my bus ride from
Siracusa to Palermo after leaving Harry. The
countryside is beautiful as you go near snow capped
mountains and valleys of fruit and vegetable farms.
Look at Rick Steve's YouTube of Sicily.
My time without Harry was
casual and unplanned. Yes, I walked much more each
day, and YES, I ate the street food. I love to walk
the markets and Palermo is full of them. While my
Italian is horrible to say the least and the people
speak almost no English, it was not a problem.
Giuseppe, my host at the hotel, was wonderful and it
is a perfect location.
Harry and I were both asked
many times what we think of Obama. I think they have
read of the negative reviews and they have a hard time
understanding with our great (compared to most places)
economy, why the American's are not happy!
When I inquired for help or
directions the Italians always stopped and many times
even walked me to where I was inquiring of. I have
found this true in all countries that I visit. A
smile helps.
How was it with Harry?
Well, if you know Harry, you don't need to ask. It
does make me appreciate his brother, John, as I am
sure most of you do, too! No, just kidding, we play
off of each other and keep each other and others
around us laughing all the time. At our age, what one
forgets, the other remembers!
Anyway, a great trip. I will
report more next year when Harry and I visit China,
Japan or Viet Nam or ?????????
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