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Post by Chicago Jake on Jul 29, 2009 10:42:27 GMT -6
Ten years of business travel have fattened my frequent flier account. Unfortunately they are all on United, which I have doubts will still exist in a year or two! So I figured I'd better cash them in before they evaporate. Hence, two business-class seats to Rome, Italy for a week. Fortunately, my Marriott points account was just as fat! And there is a very nice and luxurious Marriott on the Via Veneto in the heart of Roma. In case anyone wants to follow our progress, I'm planning to upload a few pics per day from our Rome trip. Not directly to here, that would be too much work, but dumping them to my Picasa account is very easy, even while on vacation. There's nothing there just yet, of course, as we haven't left yet, but it won't be long......Jake picasaweb.google.com/jcesarone999/Rome2009# |
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Post by Liz of Chris & Liz on Jul 29, 2009 11:47:57 GMT -6
Have fun!! I'll be looking forward to your pictures and report...very exciting!! You lucky bastard!!  Liz |
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Post by Chicago Jake on Jul 30, 2009 10:13:39 GMT -6
We made it to Rome. I have to give kudos to Swiss Air. Their business class seats are unreservedly fabulous. And their lounge at ORD is pretty nice, too.
Anyway, we got to our hotel in Rome, and much like Hedo, we got the old "room soon come, come back in an hour." Unlike Hedo, though, there was much site-seeing to do, so we walked around and took the first photos of the trip.
Now we're settled into the hotel room, checking email and such, and I got the first few photos posted. Check them out at the link in the top post here......Jake
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Post by innit Geezer on Jul 30, 2009 10:39:52 GMT -6
Jake, the entire trip sounds awesome, keep the camera going and have a great trip. Please check-in often, this going to be my summer Italy trip through you guys.
Next week, we go to Wildwood Crest NJ with the kids for some beach and roller coaster fun.
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Jul 30, 2009 17:09:45 GMT -6
Jake -
Please do let us know if you find anyplace there with good Chinese take - out.
May Allah Bless You on your Hajj!
-- BB (vicariously on an international food quest)
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Post by Chicago Jake on Jul 31, 2009 10:51:47 GMT -6
The second batch of pictures are posted. We're getting to know where everything is. And man, is it hot here!
One thing they ration like gold here: ice! Even though we are in a quite fancy hotel, there is no ice bucket, and no ice machine. You have to ring room service for ice. Restaurants are just as bad when it comes to cold drinks. I seem to recall that most European countries like their drinks luke warm. What's up with that?
Also, a martini in the bar last night was eleven Euros. That's like $15! Today, I found a little liquor store, and got an entire bottle of gin for twelve Euros. That's more like it. Still had to ring for ice, though.
Anyway, new photos include the famous and romantic Trevi Fountain, both last night and this morning, plus Piazza Navona, with its fabulous fountains. And a bunch of shots inside and outside the Pantheon, a temple to many different deities over the 20 centuries it has stood there. Hope you enjoy them!.......Jake
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Post by nolaflacav on Jul 31, 2009 13:17:14 GMT -6
What, no meatballs at Cafe Barocco?
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Jul 31, 2009 13:48:49 GMT -6
It's probably considered a side dish, which would mean it costs extra, which would *also* mean -- as far as Jake was concerned -- no meatballs at Cafe Barocco.
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Post by Merlot Joe on Jul 31, 2009 14:53:27 GMT -6
Also, a martini in the bar last night was eleven Euros. That's like $15! Today, I found a little liquor store, and got an entire bottle of gin for twelve Euros. That's more like it. Still had to ring for ice, though. .Jake Speak to them in Italian and act like the place is yours. Maybe they will give you the locals discount. Joe |
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Post by Ardbeg... innit on Jul 31, 2009 17:41:56 GMT -6
Never happen, his Chicago accent will give him away
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Jul 31, 2009 19:07:05 GMT -6
This trip will in no way fill the void that has been left by the absence of Cheese Days.
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Post by Chicago Jake on Aug 1, 2009 1:10:15 GMT -6
Not to worry. Cheese Days is only held on even-numbered years, but we have developed an alternate event for odd-numbered years. We call it Velveeta Days......Jake (heading out to the Coliseum today)
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Post by Chicago Jake on Aug 1, 2009 11:36:11 GMT -6
Another day's worth of photos has been posted. Today's events centered on antiquities. No, not DiveMasterChuck; I mean real Roman antiquities! Check them out......Jake
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Post by Chicago Jake on Aug 1, 2009 11:38:00 GMT -6
By the by....Hazel has uploaded many more pictures than I have posted, to her FaceBook account. So anyone with access to that, who is hungering for still more pictures, can go there and see them......Jake
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Post by pixiedust on Aug 2, 2009 12:20:30 GMT -6
Nice pics Jake - love your commentary - I've never seen pics of the inside of the Coloseum so that was really cool! I saw Hazels yesterday on FB - I'll have to see if she posted more. Have a great time!!  Colleen |
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Post by Chicago Jake on Aug 2, 2009 17:27:46 GMT -6
Thanks, Colleen! Glad you are enjoying them.
Today's pics are from our bus trip around Rome, and some photos of the local chow we've been devouring. Hazel also uploaded a short video from our bus trip to her FaceBook page.
Ciao-ciao for now, more later......Jake
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Post by Merlot Joe on Aug 2, 2009 22:55:21 GMT -6
Keep them pics coming professor. Looks like someplace I want to go real soon.
Joe
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Post by diane on Aug 2, 2009 23:12:36 GMT -6
Jake and Hazel, I know I haven't posted here in ages, but your week is forcing my hand. I still read here a lot, but we're now following your pics daily!! We were on our honeymoon to Italy this past March...what a wonderful trip, and you are making both of us soooo envious, as we wait patiently (OK, so I'm not so patient, I kept wondering what was taking you so long today!!) to look at all the new pics. We were in all the same places just a few short months ago, and it's awesome seeing it all in print again!!! It was nice and cool in March, even took light jackets and wore them most days and for sure at nights...sorry to hear it's hot there, but it's gotta beat our 110+ all July here in Phoenix. Keep the pics coming, we are loving them, and tell Hazel that we are checking hers out too (but gotta do that thru John's facebook account, I refuse to get on there....surely I'd have NO friends, and feel like a loser!!! ) So what day are you doing the Vatican and Sistine Chapel?? Give Hazel a big hug from both of us, and thanks again to both of you!!!! diane |
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Post by Chicago Jake on Aug 3, 2009 0:45:49 GMT -6
We're doing St. Peter's today (yes, we're up; it's 8:40 am here). We may or may not get to the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel today. If not, we'll be doing it tomorrow.
Our schedule was off yesterday. Usually, we come back to the room for a pre-dinner nap, and post our pics. But yesterday we stayed out for dinner after our bus tour, and didn't get back to post until late. Today: who knows?
Some great pics, I can't post yet: we visited the Crypt of the Cappuccin Monks. There are thousands of dead monks, and not nearly enough room to bury them; so they take their bones, and use them as wall paper! Really, there are bones everywhere: floor, wall, ceilings, even the hanging lamps are made of the bones of dead monks. Very very cool and creepy.
Unfortunately, they don't allow photography! Fortunately, they do sell postcards. (Now you know why they don't allow photography!) I bought a few, and will scan them and post them when I get home.
Well, off to St. Peter's. More later.......Jake
Edited: Okay, I snapped some photos of the postcards and posted them.
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Post by Liz of Chris & Liz on Aug 3, 2009 11:17:09 GMT -6
By the by....Hazel has uploaded many more pictures than I have posted, to her FaceBook account. So anyone with access to that, who is hungering for still more pictures, can go there and see them......Jake I've been enjoying Hazel's uploads to FB, especially the commentary. Thanks so much for keeping us up to date!!! Liz |
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Post by Chicago Jake on Aug 3, 2009 11:35:20 GMT -6
Glad you're enjoying them, Liz!
Monday's pictures, from The Vatican Museum and St. Peter's Basilica, are now posted.......Jake
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Post by Ardbeg... innit on Aug 4, 2009 6:13:22 GMT -6
I hope Hazel got pictures of this Jake... have you posted bail yet?
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Post by Tex on Aug 4, 2009 7:12:39 GMT -6
How are you getting around the city? We used the metro line around the inner city or walked. The metro was primitive and at the time we were there only had two lines, which crossed at the Termini. It was full of pickpocket gypsies and hot but was fairly efficient. We didn't see anyone taking money or tokens, so we did as the Romans and didn't pay. I know that will be to your liking Jake.
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Post by diane on Aug 4, 2009 9:33:34 GMT -6
I see you followed the rules and didn't snap any pics inside the Sistine Chapel. Beautiful place that just has to be committed to memory!!!
Still loving the pics and the commentary is worth the price of renewing my membership!!!
thanks,
diane
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Post by Chicago Jake on Aug 4, 2009 17:14:30 GMT -6
Today's (Tuesday's) photos are posted. We didn't have much of an agenda today; we just walked around and grazed and let the wind blow us around. We did end up at the Castel Sant Angelo (prominently featured in "Angels & Demons") which was quite photogenic, so many of today's pics are from there.
Tex - we are using the Metro a little, but mostly just walking. It is still just two lines, crossing at Termini. It is one Euro per ride, and I haven't seen any way of hopping the turnstiles without getting caught. They must have tightened the security since your last trip. The Metro is much like any other big-city Metro. But, like most things in Rome, dirtier and shabbier than necessary, while still being reasonably efficient. But like I said, we have pretty much walked everywhere we needed to go. Chicago is a totally walking town, so hoofing it around a little burg like Rome is a piece of cake.
Diane - The Sistine Chapel is so inspirationally beautiful, that even an inveterate scoundrel like myself couldn't dream of breaking the rules. But there were plenty of disrespectful people who did, sad to say.
Gordon - my consiglieri has recommended that I not comment at this time.
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Post by Exildo Wonsetler Briggs III on Aug 4, 2009 18:15:08 GMT -6
Cool photos, Jake!! They bring back many good memories. We've been to Italy twice, Rome once. Italy is a wonderful country and one I could live in. Those people there seem to enjoy life as much or more than any people I've ever met. I gave up trying to speak Italian (using a phrase book) 'cuz they always came back to me in very good English, plus there was the night I accidentally asked for ALL the checks in the restaurant!! The waiter wasn't going to let me live that one down very easily!! ;D Rome is definitely a walking town. How are the feet?? |
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Post by Chicago Jake on Aug 5, 2009 11:59:56 GMT -6
Today (Wednesday) we spent much like yesterday: just hanging around. We walked through the Borghese Gardens, retraced some favorite paths, and had some drinks near the Trevi. I picked up some photos of the neighborhood, little things that aren't really very momentous, but that make your memories of the trip. They are posted at the Picasa link.
We also tossed some coins into the Trevi fountain, which supposedly guarantees your return to Rome. I took a video of Hazel tossing her coins in. She'll post it later at her FaceBook page.
In the meantime, that's about it for us. We're out of here in the morning, and I'll post more pictures from home. See you all on the other side!.......Jake
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Post by Christinko on Aug 6, 2009 9:28:39 GMT -6
Sigh! Italy! Thanks for igniting memories of my two trips there. Sounds like you two are having a great time. Yea!
Just curious though...why are you only doing Rome? I must admit if I had only 1 week in Italy I'd do another location.
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Post by Ardbeg... innit on Aug 6, 2009 9:37:11 GMT -6
Florence! Home of Galileo and DaVinci, the Medici's, one of the best places in Europe
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Post by diane on Aug 6, 2009 10:12:48 GMT -6
OK...it must be time to come home. Pictures of trash cans, while interesting, are definately NOT the most used things in Rome for certain.
We've sooo enjoyed the daily pics, and you guys are certainly more selfless to share your pics and keep us entertained than we ever would have been. Thanks for the daily updates. Have a safe trip home and we hope to hear more when you get back to Chi-town!!!!
hugs and BIG thanks to you both,
diane (and John too, who's been reading over my shoulder daily!!)
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