Buona Sera Amigo

MY FEET WANT TO COME HOME FOR A HOLIDAY! Today we did a 4 hour walking tour of Rome, which actually turned out to be more like 7 hours!! Thank God we are on a 5 hour bus trip to Pompei tomorrow, my feet hate me. Today started in a long queue for the Vatican City. Lined up for an hour and a half for the gates to open at 10am. Once the gates opened it took us 30minutes to get to the gate and inside. The queue was so credibly long, that only half the people waiting would get inside before closing time. The queue was about a km long and 8 people wide. We even got to use one of the Pope's toilets! Amazingly enough you were allowed to video and take photos inside most parts, except Sistine chapel. Spent a lot of time there praying for all my wayward friends...you know who you are! The opulence of the entire place was amazing but also a concern.
Then we walked to the Forum, Colleseum and Pantheon.
Ended the day at a great pizzeria in Flaminio. Going back to my hotel very jaded.
Ciao

Flying solo

Hi all
Just caught a cab to my new place Hotel Giotto near the Vatican city. Tonight at dinner Ill meet up with the tour co and fellow venturers. Let's hope i'm not the most normal!! Earlier today Mum and Greg and I caught a bus to see the Trevi fountain. What an amazing thing to find tucked away in a dead end street. Then we walked in the 30 degrees heat to the Spanish Steps. Mum showed me the convent at the top where her twin sister lived for a year. Then we wandered the streets, mostly window shopping. The prices were fair to expensive. Looked in the window of Armani and dolce and gabana. I think I have laringitis! ...and I haven't really been living it up yet. This internet cafe is opposite my hotel so maybe tomorrow I'll try to download some photos.
Bro ...your video camera's a dream machine. Thank you so much
Kiri, Jim, Cody and Jaedyn...enjoy your flight to Oz tomorrow. Travel safe and have a ball. Miss you crazy cats...and the real cats!
Katy my beautiful god daughter...I bought you the cutest toy for your collection. I hope I can part with it when the time comes!
Ciao everyone

I,ve arrived!

After travelling 24 hours to get here we were glad to have our feet on the ground again. Once at Rome airport we wished we could go back home as our prepaid shuttle was nowhere to been found. We spent the next four hours trying to track down the associated company and in the process spoke to many unfriendly natives. We were beginning to feel like we were in the Tom Hanks movie THE TERMINAL. Anyway we did finally make it to our hotel, which is very chic. The weather is about 28 degrees and dry. Last night we ventured to a bar (where the vodka and lemonade drinks only contain a teaspoon of lemonade!), then onto a restuarant Pagaroma. Today we walked to The National museum of modern art (where we were told off 3 times for getting too close to things), then on through the park to Villa Borghese. There is so much to take in and the driving is something else! Off on my tour tomorrow. chat soon Jess

No Chicken Pox

Phew...a close call..thought I had caught chicken pox from Cody. Over the phone the nurse said not to fly but on inspection the doctor diagnosed hives. Eating too many kiwifruit apparently.

While I'm on here thought you might like to see the painting I did Nick for his birthday. Sorry you'll have to look sideways to view it.

Flying out

Flying out to Rome on Tuesday afternoon, so looking forward to spending the day with my bro beforehand. Once in Rome I'll have 5 nights in Rome, 2 in Sorrento, 1 in Assisi, 2 In Florence, 2 in Cinque Terre, 2 in Venice and finally back to Rome for a night. Then it's off to the North of England for a week, followed by a week in London. Then back home for a big surprise party thrown by friends (before they realise I've brought them no gifts!).

Counting down

The countdown to my trip is now into single digits. With Europe on the horizon and my bag already packed I should be probably more excited than I am...I'm sure that time will come. My Italian is minimal but I've ensured I know the basics. I can ask where the shops are, where the bank is, how much things costs and can our a drink. I can tell people I'm single and have also practised how to tell them where to go! Just in case.
I think everyone I've spoken to know's that there not going to get postcards (except maybe for my dad as he's not managed to master the wizardry of the net). I just hope now that I'll be able to find internet cafes to be able to blog...or I'll have a lot less friends when I return.
Chat soon Jess

Hard at work..dreaming of Italy