Monday, 3 September 2012

The Vatican

Nothing need be said, except "Va bene."
We took a guided tour which was informative and well paced (despite taking about 4 hours). Our tour guide was a very happy woman in her mid thirties who took the opportunity to point out available seats throughout the tour, while also asking if I was alright in her tour microphone about every 20 minutes. Ha. It is good to be pregnant in Europe.











La Pieta. It has been a dream to see this since I was about 15.

After watching Christmas Eve Midnight Mass with my Dad every year growing up, it was great to finally be there.



The Romans in Roma

THE COLOSSEUM 




THE ARCH OF CONSTANTINE


THE FORUM 




VIA APPIA (The Appian Way)

We rented bikes at a coffee shop along the Appian Way and rode along the very, very, bumpy and ancient road. It was amazing. We stopped along the ride to see various ruins of ancient mansions (complete with steam rooms) and to generally take in the view. 





THE PANTHEON 



The hole in the roof

After Rome became Christian, so did the Pantheon





Sunday, 2 September 2012

Roma! Happy 2nd Anniversary!

Oh, Roma. How can you not love Rome?
We had a great time with Ron and Carol (my in-laws) during a four day whirlwind tour during which we celebrated our second wedding anniversary. Salute!
Note: General sites from Rome, including fountains and the Spanish steps follow. Individual posts have been dedicated to the Romans in Rome and The Vatican. It's only right.



Chillin Ron


We made a dinner one night in our apartment (which was located just down the road from the Vatican and was amazing). We stopped at the largest market in Rome, Mercato Trionafale, to purchase some fresh mozzarella,etc. It was delicious.
HAPPY 2ND ANNIVERSARY!

Ok, not the best picture, but the only one we have to commemorate our dinner. It was a pleasure to celebrate in Rome with Ron and Carol. This makes two for two; both of our anniversaries so far have been spent in Italy (the first in Tuscany).

To celebrate, we followed the hallowed advice of Rick Steves (a must) and did a one mile "Night Walk" through Rome. After a day of riding along the Appian Way (see the Romans in Rome post) and generally walking and biking miles, this 7 month pregnant girl was not sure she could do another walk (on our way to the restaurant, we hailed a cab. To take us about a quarter of a mile. Because I just couldn't walk one. more. step). But it was beautiful to see the fountains all lit up, and we were really enjoying ourselves....



Until we got *poured* on. There is no way to explain the type of rain that unleashed during our walk. I have never been so grateful for all of the umbrella salesmen who literally came out of the woodwork at the moment the first drop fell. It makes our pictures of the Trevi fountain a bit hazy, but it was still beautiful.
The Trevi Fountain

The attempted belly shot to prove to the coming bambino that he was, in fact, at the Trevi Fountain.
 And all was going well, until the last few tenths of a mile as we were reaching our last destination, the Spanish Steps. Despite having been anticipating seeing the Steps since we had arrived in Rome (thank you Audrey Hepburn), we arrived wet and my resolution to walk just a bit more was fading. And I sat down on the beautiful Spanish Steps, which were soaked, and I cried. Needless to say, I enjoyed the moment in a cafe across the street while Adam and Ron hiked the steps. And we took a cab home.
Rome is not for the faint of heart. Nor is it for the pregnant women in their third trimesters. Consider yourselves warned.
The Spanish Steps.
The view I never did see. Looking down from the Spanish Steps.

Wednesday, 22 August 2012

Paralympics 2012

We had the honor and pleasure of getting to know Zena Cole, the U.S. Bronze Medalist in the 2012 Paralympic Games Women's Discus Throw. She is simply inspiring as an athlete, a mother and a spokesperson for UNICEF polio.


On the mound

Throwing the discus during a practice round

On the mound with T and the club

FANS!

Tanka loves Zena

Other inspiring athletes practicing

Inspiring athletes


Monday, 6 August 2012

Olympics 2012

Friends flew in to enjoy the Olympics. We met them at Heathrow Airport and went directly to the Beach Volleyball Court at the Horseguards Parade. We saw Brazil take on Poland , and the USA take on Latvia. Although the USA lost be just a few points, it was amazing to be there to cheer them on! GO USA!

Olympic Clock in Trafalgar Square, counting down for the past year.

Katy & Alan, fresh off the plane

2 best friends and their pregnant wives

Inside Horseguards Parade


Beach Volleyball Court, Horseguards Parade. GO USA!

The Olympics were definitely in LONDON


Adam & Alan

Katy & Jaclyn

The Dancers at the game. The Rackey-Rackey team (those who raked the court) was also made a regular appearance.


S'mores in our back garden, using chocolate digestives rather than graham crackers and hersheys. Delicious

Tea at Peacocks Tea Room in Ely