Ciao Bella

I think I have watched 'Roman Holiday' too many times, and Rome is just not the same as 50 years ago. I've always imagined it to be exactly like it was in the film, and for some reason it's gone all modern! It has been amazing - the history is just mind-boggling. Can't really believe I'm seeing things that were built before Christ. Have done a few tours, two fantastic ones and I'd urge everyone to find an Irish guy called Michael doing tours of St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel. It was four and a half hours of history, quirky information and fun. Absolutely fantastic guide. The first tour of St. Peter's was free, as it was a publicity tour for the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel tour which you had to pay for (dearly, but worth every Euro). When I've been walking around, everything seems a little smaller than I imagined. I think seeing every member of my family has been to Rome and told me stories, I've built up a dream Rome in my mind. It's kinda strange. I like the people here a lot. Very friendly bunch really. Have been buying fresh fruit from the markets, and drinking devine cappucinos, eating mouthwatering lasagne, pizza and pasta....it's been really nice. S left last night to go back to London. We had a fantastic time together. The three days she was here were jam packed.

Later....have spent 3 days on the east coast near a town called Civitanova Marche and it was lovely getting out in the countryside/seaside. The beach was just beautiful. A took me out for dinner, and gellati, and to a great pub where the bartender first teased me about my Italian pronunciation of Limoncello, then proceeded to apologize by serenading me with English songs while playing the guitar. He made up for it! It was just lovely! The whole pub was singing the songs. Now I'm in Florence and today was beautiful. Sat on a bridge talking with two lovely English girls from the hostel for about 2 hours watching the sun set over the river. Couldn't have imagined Florence more beautiful. More stories when I have a little bit more time! Ciao!

I love Italian!