tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post39985805575693284..comments2023-10-11T04:09:53.564-07:00Comments on materfamilias writes: Ciao, just a quick wave from Romematerfamiliashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-84285938599117495022016-10-02T05:27:45.222-07:002016-10-02T05:27:45.222-07:00I also follow nuns. Seems like a good bet.I also follow nuns. Seems like a good bet.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-49284949986935365342016-10-01T12:54:29.272-07:002016-10-01T12:54:29.272-07:00I may have suggested advance tix for the Borghese,...I may have suggested advance tix for the Borghese, as I missed out on my last trip. A couple of off-the-tourist-track suggestions that you might love as much as I did: the garden wall frescoes from the House of Livia, on the 3rd floor of Palazzo Massimo, are just sublime. And if you care for Etruscan art, don't miss the Casa Giulia. Did you make it to the Protestant cemetery? I hope you're more rested and more comfortable with each passing day.Amynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-89939766490541436722016-09-29T14:35:10.404-07:002016-09-29T14:35:10.404-07:00Wow! That's way braver than taking your bike d...Wow! That's way braver than taking your bike down the stairs. A great opportunity to explore and dolce far niente as the mood takes you. Did you consider popping down to Naples in light of your recent reading of Ferrante. Plenty in Rome to keep you busy I'm sure. Always found the Italians lovely when I've travelled alone. MaryAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-74207673153525160002016-09-29T13:19:01.344-07:002016-09-29T13:19:01.344-07:00I can't take credit for the Borghese I'm a...I can't take credit for the Borghese I'm afraid. I did think after commenting to mention Santa Maria Maggiore but saw your IG so too late. Those mosaics (swoon)!Georgiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10305981957174091874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-82709247813324625432016-09-29T12:37:29.096-07:002016-09-29T12:37:29.096-07:00Aw, you're sweet, and that's a good remind...Aw, you're sweet, and that's a good reminder. In fact, everyone's been quite kind. . . servers in restaurants taking special care, quite lovely.<br />A walk does seem to heal fatigue, oddly. We're nine hours' difference, which is a lot, especially given the reality of two flights and the stress of connecting at Heathrow (and throw in the inevitable delay, the fact that the first flight, the 9-hour one, left at 9 p.m.). . . materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-37948724226198362952016-09-29T12:34:06.251-07:002016-09-29T12:34:06.251-07:00This comment really resonates with me, Eleonore. I...This comment really resonates with me, Eleonore. I feel as if I'm on the cusp. . .materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-9499256202780532672016-09-29T12:33:26.432-07:002016-09-29T12:33:26.432-07:00I know! I've learned the lesson and am ridicul...I know! I've learned the lesson and am ridiculously scrupulous now, never passing one up.materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-65670435191852518632016-09-29T12:32:55.572-07:002016-09-29T12:32:55.572-07:00Of course I will, Patricia, but I'm going to e...Of course I will, Patricia, but I'm going to enjoy every minute I have to myself. Even the ones I don't enjoy, if that makes sense. Very good (for both of us) for me to remember what really ticks my boxes. And to take the time to do those things without making him tag along. <br />Are you home now? Jet lag sorted?materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-9504855371692541082016-09-29T12:31:02.128-07:002016-09-29T12:31:02.128-07:00Sadly, Mary, no time, quality or otherwise, with t...Sadly, Mary, no time, quality or otherwise, with the Italian crew, but I'm enjoying the time and city to myself (and we'll be seeing them soon in Berlin)materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-78992509132836358132016-09-29T12:30:24.186-07:002016-09-29T12:30:24.186-07:00I do, Rosemary, I do feel good about pushing mysel...I do, Rosemary, I do feel good about pushing myself. Enjoy your trip to Russia. My husband's been (with work), but I haven't. Leslie in O., that must have been quite an experience.materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-31599136847511504252016-09-29T12:28:25.579-07:002016-09-29T12:28:25.579-07:00Thanks, Stacy! Thoughtful praise -- I love it!Thanks, Stacy! Thoughtful praise -- I love it!materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-32362812150350315922016-09-29T12:27:56.610-07:002016-09-29T12:27:56.610-07:00Oh yes, munching happily. And slurping. And chewin...Oh yes, munching happily. And slurping. And chewing. And savouring. All the good stuff!<br />Yes, no room for trepidation crossing P. Venezia. I learned from my daughter last year while fearing for my granddaughter's life in the stroller. Daughter said Italians, child-lovers to the core, would always stop for a little one. In the absence of that, it's important to make bold eye contact, take the decision, and then move. Stride! Own that Crosswalk! Forza indeed!<br />materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-67500795962180317302016-09-29T12:24:47.176-07:002016-09-29T12:24:47.176-07:00I'm not sure about that, but I'm able to b...I'm not sure about that, but I'm able to bring my life experiences to illuminate my travels -- while you had your travels to illuminate life experience. . . materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-1066817311465285352016-09-29T12:22:18.818-07:002016-09-29T12:22:18.818-07:00Welcome, Meems/Deborah! You seem to do so much tra...Welcome, Meems/Deborah! You seem to do so much traveling yourself. <br />It's true that even attempting (with some sincerity) to speak the language of the country one travels through -- and, yes, doing something with purpose, using one's hands -- changes the whole experience. Not that I'm going to try to distinguish between being a tourist and being a traveller as I think that's a pretty spurious project, but something about engagement. . . materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-3707943559892809062016-09-29T12:19:32.542-07:002016-09-29T12:19:32.542-07:00I know! Can you imagine the foolishness of that mo...I know! Can you imagine the foolishness of that move! Lucky it was only an espresso, so not much liquid (but then the bladder-irritant factor)<br />Thanks again (I'm sure it was you, right?) for letting me know about Borghese Gallery last year, warning me to buy tix ahead -- went again today, marvellous!materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-90933817206815292892016-09-29T12:16:26.765-07:002016-09-29T12:16:26.765-07:00No paragraphs yet, but I've occasionally strun...No paragraphs yet, but I've occasionally strung together a couple of sentences and I haven't sensed any major faux pas. . . <br />Yes, sometimes we forget what our own pace is, and it's good te remind ourselves.materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-28091161052581047362016-09-29T12:15:01.148-07:002016-09-29T12:15:01.148-07:00It's true, Wendy, they've all been just lo...It's true, Wendy, they've all been just lovely with my Italian, very patient and helpful.materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-36323683230749279912016-09-29T12:14:12.740-07:002016-09-29T12:14:12.740-07:00I was too last night, Mme, hoping it won't be ...I was too last night, Mme, hoping it won't be the case tonight, but the walls are thin and my neighbour snores very loudly!materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-52628523980503078082016-09-29T12:13:33.023-07:002016-09-29T12:13:33.023-07:00Yes, I think I need a semester of "speaking w...Yes, I think I need a semester of "speaking with my hands" ;-)materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-89333275187613727252016-09-29T12:12:34.252-07:002016-09-29T12:12:34.252-07:00When I traveled on my own in France just before I ...When I traveled on my own in France just before I turned 40, I met a young couple who had been surviving on bread and ice cream because they were too intimidated to order anything in a restaurant. I mean, I guess if you have to choose two items, those aren't bad, but. . . . (keep in mind this was long before the ubiquitous "menu also available in English)materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-54725523876818878172016-09-29T12:10:43.002-07:002016-09-29T12:10:43.002-07:00True that! True that! materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-14564605137994916972016-09-29T05:58:05.941-07:002016-09-29T05:58:05.941-07:00Good for you! And remember that Rome )as in so man...Good for you! And remember that Rome )as in so many large cities) a beautiful woman, and an older "signora", often elicit an extra bit of patient service... and when both are in one package... :) Jet lag- I would give anything for a cure, and I'll bet your walk will help.Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-78962278049917032862016-09-29T02:13:31.552-07:002016-09-29T02:13:31.552-07:00Another experience like that, or perhaps two, and ...Another experience like that, or perhaps two, and you will feel that exhilarating security that comes from finding you way around ALONE. Rome will be yours. Never again will you get lost or go hungry in that city. (As for bathrooms...)<br />Eleonorenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-30237169429786226032016-09-29T01:17:13.633-07:002016-09-29T01:17:13.633-07:00Not as much of a stretch as it was when Russia was...Not as much of a stretch as it was when Russia was part of the U.S.S.R....have a great trip!Leslie in Oregonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-66098782473248379142016-09-28T16:31:38.986-07:002016-09-28T16:31:38.986-07:00Well done you! I did laugh out loud at the rookie ...Well done you! I did laugh out loud at the rookie move, though. Always, always use the bathroom!<br /><br />BrendaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com