A funny thing happened on the way to the Forum...

Well this has certainly been a journey for Henry and I.   We have lived Rome, loved Rome, marvelled at Rome and well sometimes, wondered about Rome.   For people who are fairly well travelled we were reflecting the other day at how little goes awry on our adventures.

Yes, we've been a little disappointed about the WEATHER.  Now that is beyond our control or we would have done it a little differently.  I was expecting cold for February (Henry not) and we brought clothes for it including hats and gloves.  But what I wasn't expecting was quite soooo much Rain.  We enjoy a good rain storm and have even travelled to the west coast as well as south in search of a storm.  We have had thunder and lightening which I really enjoy but...... there were just too many days of  Rain.

But oh what a lovely gleam it adds to the streets. Almost shiney and NEW!

This was a torrential downfall... note the huge puddles which soon disappeared.

Oh, and I don't believe I've mentioned our "elderly" moment.  This was sooooo funny and I laughed and laughed for days after.  Hope I can relay in words what happened.  You see, Henry and I were at the Capitaline Museo.  Having walked UP a number of stairs we decided to play it smart that day.  We would take the elevator UP and walk DOWN instead of walking both ways.  The elevator wasn't the smallest we've ever been in but it was not large.  Let's say 4 could fit comfortably.  We got in and interestingly enough did note, but quickly forgot, that there were two entries the one in the front and one on the side.  As all good elevator riders, we entered, turned around and faced the door.  Simple.  After a few moments the elevator stopped, ah, we must be at the top.  We waited a few seconds for the door to open but nada, nothing.   We both looked at the control panel and hit the "open" door button... nothing.  We started pressing all the floor buttons...nothing.  We started looking for the phone or the "red" alarm button.  We didn't find it.  I'm claustrophobic and Henry's simply "panicky".. Ha ha ha on us.  I happened to look to my right and saw a BRIGHT light and a hallway.   Could it be we'd arrived in Heaven?  No, turns out the SIDE door opens on that floor.  We sheepishly left the elevator.

There are some things you won't find in the guide books.  Let me just recap a few....

Via Giulia is a very nice street... not the quietest, nor the busiest but I'll bet you it's the CLEANEST!  For some reason you will see this 

This is a street cleaner.  There are large street cleaners, small street cleaners and baby baby street cleaners.  They all go up Via Giulia about three times a day.  How many days a week you say?  SEVEN days a week. I don't know what it is about Via Giulia. Could it be that it is mostly One Way, so you don't run into other traffic?  We've been on many streets in Roma and I swear some of them have never seen one of these!   But on Via Giulia, once a day, three times!

And then there is this. Could it be a designer light fixture? Suppose it depends what you hang on it.   What do you think Tess?  Would it make the cut?   Used to be that after I washed my Calvin Klein Tshirt all I had to do was fold and file.  Now I've got to reshape and iron...I love the smell of clothes that have hung in a fresh breeze... not so much in sooty Rome.

Doors.... I remember Harry Potter and the many weird locks they had in those movies.  Rome is the same, weird locking doors and very very short ones.  The Romans must have been very short indeed.

Now I wonder how this one works?

This is our door.  Note the long metal bar?  Well when you turn the key, the metal bar moves up into the ceiling and down into the floor.  We felt very secure here.

Before Roma, Henry and I had had little experience with the ARTICHOKE.  I don't know why but perhaps it just wasn't in our face much.  Since arriving we have come to love it.  I've had it pickled on pizza before and also had it here that way a few times.  We enjoyed it Romana style and even tried this one at home... needs some work.  We also enjoyed it Judae style - deep fried and salted.    It is quite simply a delicious vegetable (or is it a fruit/).

ROMAN STYLE at  a restaurant.

Artichokes.... who knew?   Well, they've certainly become a staple!

Roman Style - at Trattoria Via Giulia

Judae Style

We took this picture for Ruth... I recall once walking behind Henry and Rob with  Ruth and she mentioned how cute Henry was with his "pants lapping around his ankles".  Seems Henry was ahead of his time Ruth.

Speaking of fashion... yes, the fashions in the high end stores are gorgeous.  Way way out of my reach and even if I could, doesn't seem as if there would be anything above size  0.  I don't think it right that some people don't have a size. Everyone should at least have a 1.... We did catch some fashionable people but it does seem just a little rude to be taking their pictures so this is all we've got to show.

Dapper Dan

 This attire also seems to be very fashionable in Rome

Speaking of which while we're here, the centre of the Roman Catholic faith and with a newly installed Pope we've made a few requests on behalf of our Family and Friends.  Eugene mentioned this and his and Sharon's tradition of lighting a candle.  We've reciprocated with pleasure. I don't really want to give away what I prayed for but they do include health and happiness for all.  Henry lit a candle for each of his siblings and their families and I lit one for each of my children and families, my siblings and their families (too many to light one for each but believe me the message was sent for all), my two closest friends and their families and for good measure, mankind.

I left a note and a Euro with this guy also.  He's got a direct link so I'm  quite confident the message will get delivered.

There's really so much more to say and to share but Henry is having "Market Call" withdrawal and I need to download some more pictures.  There's the one about the fashion shoot around the corner, the marches and protests, the Chief of Police funeral, Kim's visit to us and Rome, the vehicles (love love love), the food (oh I know I did food but believe me, there's more food).  I'll have to see what I get done.  Effective tomorrow Henry and I are on the road so we'll have to see how much time I've got to write.   May I say how much I really really appreciate your kind words.  As I said at the beginning the blog was intended to make me more observant and mission  accomplished.  The enjoyment of my readers is an added bonus.  I am always thinking of you as I write. Take care and we know we'll  see you all soon and will be able to hear about your adventures...hugs to all, Joanne and Henry...

Guess who we ran into in Rome

All I can say is that for somewhat reclusive types, we've run into a lot of familiar faces in Rome.  They're mostly stone-faced and non communicative but Henry knows quite a lot about them.  Let's see, there's Constantine, Augustus, Ceasar.... well the list goes on and on.   They may look like statues but according to their information tags they are "pictures".   Yes, that makes perfect sense because this was long before the age of film to record images.   How nice to have a "picture" created.  All the flaws ... GONE or if not, the photographer.... GONE!  Photoshop's got nothing on these.   Naturally they didn't protest about being photographed by Henry and stood, sat, reclined or held their head high on their shoulders while Henry shot away.  I really don't know if we'll create an album for them (not) and thank God for digital cameras.  Perhaps you'll recognize some of them.  No matter what you feel it is still amazing that these "pictures" have stood the test of time and we have opportunity to marvel at the artistry, perseverance and ingenuity of their creators.  Pardon their state of dress but that was the fashion in those days. Some of their innermost thoughts.

......and now I lay me down to sleep. 

"What does Roy Rogers say when he takes out the garbage?"
"To the dump, to the dump, to the dump dump dump"

Friends, Romans, Countrymen.... lend me your ears!

I should have eaten at Trattoria Via Giulia, 179

... I did!

..this way or that way

well, let me see now.... 

" You are such a good friend that if we were on a sinking ship together and there was only one life jacket, I'd miss you much and think of you often"

"I always take life with a grain of salt.... and a slice of lemon and shot of Tequila"

"I discovered I scream the same way if being attacked by a great white shark or a piece of seaweed touches my foot"

My head, my head, where is my head?

"Worrying works!  90% of things I worry about never happen"

"I used to be indecisive.  Now I'm not sure"

"A shinbone is a device for finding furniture in a dark room"

I saw a woman wearing a TShirt that said "Guess" on it so I said "Implants?"

Our collection of pictures of people from the past goes on and on.  Far too many to post but I can assure you've we seen most of them.   Along with the originals there are copies everywhere and just in our neighbourhood there are a number of shops where you can get your own copy of a famous foot, arm, shoulder or head. When in Rome...... well enough for now.