Roma! Rick's 60th Birthday

What a wonderful experience in Rome we had for Rick's 60th birthday!


We planned 8 days in this beautiful city so we could take our time seeing the sites and "feel" the city. We loved it!  The first few days we were amazed at the artwork in the Galleria Borghese (I love Bernini sculptures), and in several "average" churches; we strolled the Spanish Steps, and Pizzia del Popolo, and ate well at every little ristorante we tried! Romans really warmed up to us as soon as Rick would tell them "Mio padre nato Castelfranco, Veneto". Instantly we became Italian to them!

The Spanish Steps:

On Friday night we met Rick's good friend, Tony Zambito, who was in Europe on a business trip, and had flown to Rome to help Rick celebrate his birthday. The three of us walked into this little pizzeria and then who followed in? Julian!  It was awesome! What a great surprise for Rick! Can you imagine? Tony had helped Julian arrange to fly in too!

Saturday, Rick's birthday, was awesome as the 4 of us spent most of the day touring the Roman Forum -- hours!  So fascinating. So much history.  We walked on the same cobble stone roads that Julius Caesar had been on and we even saw where his body was burned after he was assassinated. People still leave flowers there! We envisioned what it all must have been so very long ago.  Some building remnants were 17 centuries old!


Rome, The Eternal City. After lunch: The Coliseum. While we've seen it on TV many times, walking around and imagining the bloody battles that took place was chilling. Time to watch "Gladiator" again? 

It was a glorious, sunny, day and perfect for walking around ancient Rome, and of course, for photos. We have hundreds! (Thanks mostly to Tony and Julian who really got into using their high-tech cameras.)


After a little break, as evening settled in, we wandered back out in the City of Love mingling with Romans and tourists around the Trevi Fountain - another magical place.  There are always people just strolling the narrow streets, eating gelato, and absorbing the sites and sounds of Rome. We did the same while Julian and Tony continued to take photos.  This could be my favorite place in Rome.  Later we had a nice little dinner at a restaurant on the block between the fountain and our hotel. Rick, Julian, and I topped the evening by returning to the Coliseum to view it at night under the stars and a nearly full moon.  Julian took many photos here too.

Simionis of the World

For over a year now I have been chatting with "Simionis of the World" on Facebook. It's been a fun experience. Most of the Italian Simionis live in northern Italy, radiating from the "epicenter" near Venice. I did find two living in Rome, Daniela and Riccardo. They did not know each other. We tried to meet up with them while in Rome but it didn't work out.


Meanwhile, one of the Simionis I have had a lot of fun with over the past year, my young college student friend Silvia, wanted to come down to meet us in person. Her parents did too, and, amazingly they drove 6 or 7 hours to come have lunch with us.

map: Cartigliano to Rome

We met on Sunday in Trastevere, just west of the Tiber River, at il Duca. What a great time we had! Silvia is the only one who could speak both English and Italian fluently, but Rick and Oscar both knew enough words to make some conversation. Analisa, Federica, and I managed a bit and had fun in any case.  We somehow shared stories along with the outstanding food.   (I know you are trying to imagine ME not being able to talk..... )

Oscar doesn't live far from where Rick's father grew up, and is convinced their grandparents would have certainly known each other.
(see:  Simionis of the World Blog)




Annalisa & Nancy

The Simioni men: Oscar, Julian, Rick

We look forward to spending even more time with them next Spring when we return to Italy and tour the northern part of the country!  Thanks Oscar and Annalisa!

The next few days Rick, Julian, and I did some more visiting around the city: Piazza Navona, Campo di Fiori; a night trip to St. Peters Square, Castel St. Angelo, crossing the Tiber River on the Bridge of Castel St. Angelo, oh, and ate some more! We saw a Leonardi di Vinci exhibit that was temporarily in town, and took the subway to find the only pyramid in Rome!

Campo di Fiore

Yes, there is a pyramid in Rome!

The Tiber River at night:

Finally the last day, Rick and I were alone again and it suddenly felt lonely. We returned  St. Peter's, The Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums.  It is such an incredible place.   We'd toured it last time we were here -- we had a day and a half before our cruise left -- but there is so much to see and take in we had to come back again.

Piazza Navona -- and their annual Christmas Market.  Wish we had known about La Befana before we went.

Another panini by the Pantheon.

Inside the Vatican Museum:

Being in Rome with the love of my life for his 60th birthday was awesome.  Having our son join us was beyond words. My heart was full!


Movie to follow soon ----  I'll edit this post then....


click here for more about Rome.

_______________________________________________________