New York

New York, what an unexpected treat - like icing on the cake.  We were in a nice hotel close to the airport.  Because of the time change we all woke up early so we had time to do something in New York.  We had to be back to the hotel to get the shuttle to the airport by 3pm.  Luckily, we have Sharon in our group.  She came up with a "walk-a-bout" Joyce had not been to New York so this was an extra treat.

This is a new art installation since we were there a few years ago.  It is in front of the Rockefeller center, called "Human Nature"

Stature of Prometheus

The Lego store is right close.  I loved the Lego Prometheus.  Unfortunately my photo is not very clear.

Photographers!  I couldn't quite catch Joyce in the picture as well.  She was off to the left.

graffiti

lunch at Katz's deli

After lunch we headed back to the hotel to catch the shuttle back to the airport.  We had allowed plenty of time.  Did not want to risk missing the flight. We got to the gate in plenty of time to relax a bit.

The flight home went smoothly. We got to Portland a little early.  Glenn picked up Sharon and Kris  and George picked up Joyce and me.  

Home!! Great to sleep in my own bed again.  We had a fantastic 2 week trip and the whirlwind tour of New York was a gift.  

Wednesday - I am home

Just a quick note to say that we arrive home safe and sound.  I am tired so I will blog about today - tomorrow.  We got home a day late but did manage to pull off a great day in New York.

Tuesday - Arrivederci Roma!

We had breakfast at the hotel and then used the hotel shuttle (for a small fee, of course) to get to the airport.  It took us a bit to find the right terminal.  Choosing the right line ended out being the theme of the day. We finally got our boarding passes.  We had time to do some last minute shopping to get rid of our extra euros.  Flight to Charles de Gaulle was on Air France.  The rest of the trip was Delta.  In Paris, we had to find the correct place to be.  We did not have much time to spare there but Joyce and Sharon were able to buy some macarons at Laduree in Paris.  These are absolutely the best macarons.  Joyce had never had one before.  Sharon shared the macarons on the flight to New York since it was a food item that would not be allowed into the country.

Unfortunately I still had my camera on sunset mode so they are a little washed out.  

The flight to NY was long but they had free wine and 2 meals.  I watched a few movies.  We arrived late into New York.  Then started the mad house.  This was a new terminal and maybe they have not worked out all of the kinks.  But it was a MESS.  We got an orange slip of paper which indicated that we had a tight connection, but then so did almost everyone else. No line, or one massive line, all pushing to move forward.  The time of boarding our next plane came and went.  

We finally got through but by the time we got our luggage and got through customs our plane had long gone.  So more lines to find the right line to get a new flight home.  The only real choice was to spend the night in NY and catch the same flight on Wednesday.  Kris called the TravelGuard insurance people and they booked us in a close hotel.  Hampton Inn at JFK.  It is a nice hotel.  \

The restaurant is in the Hilton but it was right next door.  In fact we did not have to go outside to get to it.  Very good meal.  Kris and I had the pork chop (we should have split it) and Sharon and Joyce had the baked chicken.  Yummy.  

Another long day.  But now we have a day in New York to enjoy.  

Monday - last day

This hotel has served very full breakfasts.  That has been nice.  What a glorious day it was today.  The weather was perfect.  

Comparing photos.

We met here for the food tour.

Sarah was a fabulous guide.  She moved here about 10 years ago from Michigan.  I think this was the best food tour I have been on.  The range and quantity of foods, the information about foods as well as information about the area.  Very enjoyable.

Tiramisu in a chocolate cup

pizza - thick crust shows that it is a lunch pizza that you can get by the slice. 

cheese and meat tastings

Took a break to walk through a cemetery where Keats is buried.  Rome's pyramid is being restored. 

a common upstairs patio

Bruschetta - So much good food.  The 4 hours went by way to quickly.  

We then left the area to wander around to do a little shopping and go to some familiar neighborhoods. 

Joyce had not seen the Trevi fountain the other night so we came back through there so she could throw her coin in the fountain.

We needed a wine break.

Joyce is wearing down

In front of the Pantheon.  We have gone full circle.

Our last dinner in Italy was fabulous.  I got my good steak. 

the largest mozerella ball I have ever seen.  Luckily we were splitting it 4 ways.

Home to pack and get ready.  Tomorrow we leave to head home.

public transportatiion

Venice was easy.  Firstly it is a small area.  The vaporetto only goes up and down the grand canal and around Venice so it is not too confusing.  Just have to figure out which direction you want to go.

Florence, we used the bus a few times but we did not have much time to explore.  The bus stop was close to the hotel.

Now, Rome, is another story.  The bus stop is not very close.  It is very crowded and it is hard to find the right bus for the right area.   They only have 2 metro lines because every time they start to dig they find more archaeologically important things.  Not much under ground stuff at all. There was a bus/metro strike our first full day here. so we have been taking the taxi everywhere.  With 5 people it has been reasonable.  Jeanne had to pay full price to get to the airport yesterday.  The traffic here is ridiculous.  The taxis swerve in and out.  I don't think they follow any lanes - even when driving by a police car.  I just hold my breath, shut my eyes and "pray." My one excitement is yesterday we were climbing into the taxi and before I was in it - it started driving off.  I had one leg in and one out.  I was hollering "wait, wait" which did not do any good for someone who does not speak english. The car behind started honking because they saw what was happening but that made the taxi go faster.  Bah.  Finally the taxi driver realized what was happening and stopped. I was sore this morning but I am fine now.  We learned to never say where we wanted to go until everyone was in the car.

But I would not want to drive in Rome .... ever!

Sunday - evening

Jeanne had to leave about 4:30pm

hotel owner's dog

We wandered around Piazza Navona to shop and look around.  So much to see. 

These are little grass woven things.  We walked to a close pizza restaurant.  

The pizza on the left does have an egg on it.  Over-easy.

The view from the terrace of the hotel.

After we got back to the hotel we sat in the bar for a limoncello.  This candle lit display was near us.  Tonight was an early evening.

Sunday - Borghese

We had a very leisurely morning.  Breakfast with the RS group.  We did not need to leave the hotel until 10am to go to the Galleria Borghese.  WOW.  This was the best.  Paintings, sculptures, murals and detailed mosaics.  They had a lot of art by people I have never heard of but they did have some from famous artists: Bellini, Bernini, Caravaggio, Raphaelo ... You guessed it - we were not allowed to take pictures.  In fact, we even had to check our cameras at the door.  It was a timed entry gallery and they only let a certain number of people in at a time so it was quiet and not crowded at all. Very nice.  We had a light lunch at the cafeteria.  It was ok but nothing fabulous.  I had a sandwich and a prosecco.  Then we wandered around the Borghese gardens.

a cat

What kind of fruit is this??

Just can't get away from California.

We took a taxi back to the hotel.  Before going into the hotel we had to stop for gelato.  There is a place right close to the hotel.  Antica Gelateria de Matteis.

Back to the hotel so that Jeanne could get organized and put her feet up a little while before leaving us.  She will have a long trip home with a 12 hour lay-over in Charles de Gaulle airport.  She will not get home until tomorrow afternoon some time.  It will be a long trip home for her.