I've always wanted to visit Italy. My grandpap's people were from Lucca, and his family often told stories about their lives in Italy as olive oil merchants and as hunting companions of Puccini. Not sure how accurate that is, but it was certainly compelling to me.
To celebrate my husband's retirement and my retirement from our jobs, and to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary, my sister put together a dream trip for us to Italy.
I can't talk about Italy without gushing like a star-struck teenage girl: Italy is beautiful. The food in Italy is magnificent. Italy is ancient. Italy is amazing.
Here are some pictures from our visit to the Colosseum in Rome.
This was the view from our apartment in Rome on our first day.
Our husbands were waiting for my sister and me to get ready for the day.
My first impression of the Colosseum: big. It's big.
It amazes me: how could something so big could have been built so long ago and still stand?
My second impression of the Colosseum: There were a lot of people.
Enormous lines of people who had been waiting since the sun came up to get in.
Lots of fellows offering to help you get past the long lines.
It was quite impossible.
We decided to be happy with a look from the outside.
Take a close look. See those people way, way up there.
They are working on the Colosseum.
It's a long way up there.
Interesting to me to think it is being repaired. But not too much?
And how was repair done in centuries past?
And how was repair done in centuries past?
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I went there in 1966 when I was 15, went with the school and there were not as many people there then as I see now. One thing I always remember is that it was full of cats
ReplyDeleteInteresting. Lucky you, being so close to the magnificence of Europe.
DeleteYou are absolutely right about Italy! Best food and wine I have ever had, everything is old, everything is amazing, and most of the people are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteDid you get to visit Lucca? It was one of my favorite day trips. The wall was amazing. We had ice cream at a sidewalk cafe and watched a production company shoot a TV commercial in the street ... and no one but us seemed impressed! That was 20 years ago and it feels like it was yesterday. We were there for 2 weeks and it was not long enough. And it was too rushed. Every day was filled with activities, tours, or visits with an Italian relative. We started in the south in Salerno and made our way north to Tuscany. My parents are first generation Americans and kept in touch with the many, many relatives and they were thrilled to show us around.
I could babble on about Italy for hours... :)
Yes, my people come from Lucca.
DeleteWe must have a day where we all babble on about Italy.
DeleteAhh! To go there would be a dream of mine!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
- Lisa
It was my dream.
DeleteAll of my grand parents were born here in United States...my last set of ancestor to come over would be 2nd great grand father
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on
One side of my family is like that. My dad's people came over in the 1700's.
DeleteLooks like you had such a good trip!
ReplyDeleteIt was perfect.
DeleteI wish there were some way to visit some of these historical sites without all the crowds. Still, I hope to go someday.
ReplyDeleteI bet there will be in the future.
DeleteGorgeous photos of a fascinating place. I hope you'll be sharing more pictures in future posts. My husband and I visited Italy many years ago and had a wonderful time. I'd love to go back and see more.
ReplyDeleteMy Saturday Snapshot post features my spunky granddaughter.
Sounds like an amazing trip! Glad you got to go to see the sights and explore your heritage, too!
ReplyDeleteHave a good week -
Sue
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