Italia

OK. I've already told you about riding bikes around ancient Rome. Stephen has video footage of me cruising through the crowds up to the Colosseum !!

Our next adventure was catching buses and using the Metro and train to get ourselves around a bit. We went out to the beach 'Largo Roma' - on a day pass, jumping off at a couple of stops on the way for a quick squizz around. The beach was a bit disappointing for such spoilt NZ individuals as ourselves. We decided suburbs are suburbs and headed back to town......but jumped off at a couple of 'edge of city' places, San Paolo and Equilino, both very interesting in different ways.

On this excursion we had to change Metro's and got a wee bit lost. At one point we found ourselves heading down the side of a motorway back into the centre of Rome. Stephen was keen to keep going but I managed to convince him that it wasn't a good idea by saying he wouldn't walk down the side of the Hutt motorway, so why did he think it would be ok in Rome where there was ten times more traffic!!

I was busting for a wee by this point. Stephen managed to convince me to duck behind some bushes in a lay by - would've been fine but for the stinging nettles....Aargh!! Lucky for me it was only the top of my leg that got stung. Quite painful but dealt to it with some vinegar (balsamic, only the best) back at the apartment.

Did I mention our beautiful three level apartment with a roof garden in Rome? It almost seemed a pity not to spend more time there, but so much to see and do.



Saw all the big fashion shops on our way to the Spanish steps - SOooo many people - got some video footage of the throngs and shots of Dolce Gabbana and Versace shop windows (specially for you Jess). Hilarious that none of the famous shoes the Italian's are obsessed with could possibly be worn in the streets of Rome, which are all old cobbled - hence anything other than a good solid heel would probably lead to a hospital visit!

Anyway, after four days it was time to move on and we headed off to Umbria.

We are now staying in Perugia until 7 May, doing day trips to Assissi, Spello, and Lake Tressimo, before heading to Sienna and Florence. More about our day trips as they happen.

We arrived in Perugia late on Saturday afternoon, dropped our bags and went to the old city for a look around. Like most of the old cities in Umbria, old Perugia is a hill top town. We are staying in a hotel on the edge of the city, kind of on the town belt with spectacular views. Perugia is a University city so a lot of young people hanging about on a Saturday evening.

The streets are very steep (think Devon St, Dan) but there are lots of pedestrian shortcuts, with steep steps. Lucky we're from Wellington and well used to this sort of thing.

Our first full day in Perugia, today, is a Sunday...Domenica...

The city doesn't exactly shut down, but it is Italy after all, so quite a few things closed.

We went looking for a Farmacia to find plasters to put on the blisters which had formed on top of my previous blisters, but couldn't find anywhere. As walking had become a bit of a problem for me we decided to have a quiet day and went to an internet place to arrange bookings for Siena and Florence.

We then got the bus back up the hill and I hobbled around the piazza (square), while Stephen sneezed his way around next to me, as something seemed to have activated his allergies.

What a pair!!

Anyway, there was a market....a genuine local market rather than the street hawkers with their array of goods from China who are all over the place in Rome...so managed to get some cute little things.

We then sat down for a glass of Vino and decided to check out the Cathedral. We walked in on a Mass being said........lots of people attending . We sat down and joined in for a few minutes....I made the sign of the cross, couldn't help myself.

In many ways Italy is like being on a different planet. It's a completely different mentality and mode of being. However, after only 5 days (and a few tense moments involving stinging nettles and motorways) we are both beginning to adjust our mind-set.

Language wise, I prepare myself for every interaction by memorising the lines I need....but then I can't understand the answers, so that only works for the most basic of things, such as ordering off a menu or asking where the toilets are. Thanks to my Italian tutor my accent is good, so people think I know much more than I do, which is kind of nice but also quite difficult.

I now preface things with 'Ciao - Sona Neo Zealandese, scusami, mia Italiano non che benne' - Hi, I'm from NZ, sorry, my Italian is not so good'. This has made a real difference - they know we're not American or English and are much friendlier.

What else can I tell you about Italy....there are little birds that sound like squeaky toys...there are lots of people carrying stupid little dogs around in handbags......(now we know where Paris Hilton got the idea from)....it's a country of stone walls, wooden shutters, wrought iron fences and balconies filled with the tumbling colour of beautiful flowers.

Thanks to those of you who have replied. It is possible to post comments directly on the blogsite, or emailing me is fine too. It's great to hear from home!

Dan, I'm glad things are going well and you and Jess are studying together. Good you enjoyed the lasagne. Tell Walla she'd better start pulling her weight, or you'll pile up all her used cat saucers in her favourite sleeping spot.....and tell your slack sister to email!!

Jill - hmm yes - I think maybe some parts of travel are a bit like child birth - better when they're over. Missing the wee laddies and glad they are doing well. Can't wait to see Angie's tooth. Show Lachle the video of me so he doesn't forget me.

Michele, if you are keen for a trip to Italy and Alan is over the travel thing, count me in! You really do have quite an Italian look about you and will fit right in!

Fliss - yep, we can get replies! The food is fantastically yummy. Glad your first day in new job went well.

Claire - your little travel pack was SO good, as were your tips about Singapore airport - thank-you! And yes, the pizza is better than Hell's.

Love to all