And She's Off....

So, I just spent 5 pleasant but rainy weeks in Rome during which I took an additional Italian course (for those of you wondering how I spend all my fabulous time when not eating gelato and fending off gorgeous men following me around everywhere); it was fantastic! Now, as the sun finally begins to shine bringing some warm rays to my chilly afternoons, and as I finally begin shedding my winter layers -- or stop dressing like an onion as they say in Italy ---I have decided to venture North where it's still cold! Why? Why? Why on earth would I do that to myself? Because people, well, it's just not warm enough to go lay on a beach somewhere in Southern Italy yet, obviously!

As most of us all know by now, I don't stand still for very long. I just can't; I try, I really do, but I can't do it! There are too many amazing places to go and things to see! Additionally, as I re-evaluate my allocated travel funds....  sadly, it looks like this vacation may come to an end sooner than those of you vicariously living through me would like. True bummer that money simply does not grow on trees. I know you are all upset, however, I am coming to grips with this reality and so should you. The good news of course, is that I will see you all sooner than we thought and I do look forward to seeing you soon. Especially Batman and Ginger!

They tried to come with me when I packed last July. How cute is that?!! There have been many lonely nights without my kitty-cats around waking me up at 3am and then 4am and then 5am and always, again at 6am.

Fortunately, I do have about a month of "La Dolce Vita" left in me.  My travel adventure begins anew tomorrow when I go to Florence! And then to Bologna... and then to Torino... and then to Nice, France... and then to Lucerne, Switzerland.... and then I don't have anything else planned yet. But I am sure I will think of something and when I do, I'll let you know!

Here are a few photos of my two favorite places in all of Rome.... bet you could guess, but I'll tell you anyway:

#1 The Collosseum

#2  The Pantheon

These are my parents in case it's not obvious :) 

Here's the quick and dirty history lesson on these two: they are both really old. For everything else, there's this awesome website called wikepedia.com.  Actually the one cool thing about this last photo of The Pantheon is the close up of the Latin inscription which basically says "I am awesome, I built this." That of course, is my loose interpretation of what Marcus Agrippa meant when he put his name on The Pantheon, like a really long time ago. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheon,_Rome

Hope you are well and enjoying your version of "La Dolce Vita"!