Being away for a month in a foreign country such as Italy presents a certain culture shock upon returning home. What I missed most at home, was Lucia Fortuna and her unique and sweet snuggles. Otherwise, I feel at home in Europe, especially Italy and getting away from crazy MAGA…

Day 7 — Bitter-Sweet Parting I’m sad to leave my hotel, Casa Tua Vatican where I stayed for seven days, mostly because I will miss the owners (and life partners} Tommaso and Massimo, as well as their assistant, Rosanna. I feel like I’m leaving family behind. …

Day 6 in Rome — St Peter’s Cathedral and Cupola… and an Italian Hospital Visit Today, my friend, Millena and I went back to St. Peter’s Square to enter the cathedral. It is a both overwhelming and a grand, majestical site to see and take in. It’s amazing to imagine…

Day 5 - St. Peter's Square Today, I decided to make the journey to St Peter’s Square, which is walking distance from my hotel. On the way, I stopped at a local cafe for a macchiato because when in Rome... I did not indulge in the sweets but it was…

Day 4 - Zipping Around Rome in a Golf Cart There are times when the expression: "A picture speaks a thousand words", this is one of those times and this blog will have several photos to demonstrate the extraordinary and overwhelming tour of the Eternal City

Day 3 — Restful in Rome Today I'm taking some time to rest a bit. I'm still recoverig from a long travel journey with no sleep and of course, the nine hour time difference. The long plane ride wasn't kind to my back. And yesterday, after an extended walk for…

Day 2 — My Birthday Today is my birthday and I am celebrating it in Rome. Not too shabby. I actually slept in later than I thought and it was a Today needed sleep. Tomasso greeted me with warmth and a Buon Compleanno! He gave me a balloon with confetti…

Day 1 — Jet Lagged and Jubilant From Santa Barbara to Roma via Barcelona was a 24-hour journey door-to-door. Some of this was due to the advice I received from Santa Barbara Airbus organizers to take the earlier one and be on the safe side. I don’t sleep on a…

I’m visualizing myself in Rome wandering the beautiful cobblestone streets just like the one in the photo. I’ll pause to take in the beauty, sit at an outdoor café to sip espresso and watch the world go by. I will have a late lunch and allow myself to eat what…