Spoleto

Hi auntie,

Well--as Steve would say, I was outside my comfort zone.

My Italian, being not so good-- seemed like no one could understand what I was trying to say.
For instance, even when I said “taxi” – which, in Italian is pronounced “Taxi”, the people couldn’t understand me. 

You get the picture.

Both Noelle and Amanda assured me that they liked it because it was a very different Italian Experience than we’ve had so far. 

Fun restaurant -- owners, man & wife, were very hospitable 

As usual the eating experience was fabulous food. We really loved the lunch place we found, stumbling around the hillside streets.

Spoleto has a castle called La Rocca Albornoz – constructed in 1359;

Noey & Amanda at the Castle

and interesting to me because it was where Lucrezia Borgia was held for a bit in 1499 (I just finished reading La Familia by Mario Puzo); a basilica that was lovely; and San Salvatore, a really cool Funerary church, that was built in the 4^th century; and an acquaduct built in the 15th century.

Acquaduct

After our night at what Amanda dubbed as a ‘Best Western’ we were off to Rome.

We got off the train too early but I was able to negotiate a ‘deal’ (yes, it was a deal) to our hotel by the Spanish Steps.  Although the wonderful owner of our hotel told me to take a legitimate taxi (it was) and to make sure the meter was on (it wasn’t) we were delivered safely (and cheaply) to Rome and we felt we were home!

The Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, Lunch and Dinner near the shopping district of Rome, was more than enjoyable for us.

Pantheon

Inside the Pantheon

N & A on Spanish Steps at night

I told Amanda and Noelle that, in an art museum, Steve likes sculptures, and particularly busts.

So, we had dinner at this place that had a lot of sculptures -- busts and full bodies -- in honor of Steve's art interests.

It was creepy.
And expensive. 

Restaurant with busts

So, of course we had to end the evening at a charming place.....

And off to Sicily after a good night's sleep at our cool hotel next door to the Spanish Steps.

Me in old-fashioned elevator at hotel

Hallway at the hotel

See you from Trapani!

Ciao!

Ah Assisi

Ahhh….Assisi

Hi Auntie,

Assisi was one of the two places at the top of my list – and it didn’t disappoint us. 

We stayed at Nun Assisi, which is a converted convent with pools and spa rooms (sauna, steam, and cold) in the basement, built among Roman Ruins.  The girls were very pleased...

We got right to walking around the town. It is more than charming.  Being Palm Sunday the first thing we came across was a Friar carrying a palm branch into one of the churches.

We explored the town and all of us agree it will be a place to return. We saved The Basilica of St. Francis for day two as we wanted to go to the Church of Saint Maria and Damiano first – Damiano where St. Frances received his calling. 

Rain, rain, rain.  Still charming.

On day two our trek took us through an olive orchard or two – we made a wrong turn.  It was father than expected and by the time we got there it was closed for 2 hours – unwilling to wait because we didn’t want to miss St. Francis Basilica --  So I was voted to go into a hotel lobby and ask for a cab, since my Italian is considered to be the best (in other words, I’m the only one that studied it a bit and can at least ask for a taxi!).  I think the ladies find it amusing when they vote me in as speaker of the group!

No disappointment anywhere.  Even the train station in Assisi is a pleasant place to hang out.

                                              Noelle and Amanda at Assisi Train Station

Hi Auntie,

Our first day in Rome -- we were very close to the Vatican.  Lauren got us a room very near, as I had asked.  It was a great location.  We got in late as the guy who was supposed to pick us up at the airport wasn't there …. so after getting a ride to the hotel, while checking in the manager (?) tried to bully us about us not taking the car (which wasn't there) -- anyway, it didn't set well to be accosted by the manager -- then we took the old elevator (the kind in a cage) up to our room -- the manager then came behind us and complained that we hadn't shut the elevator doors and so it wouldn't work right.  You know? SORRY! We're tired, the driver you sent wasn't at the airport, and now you're hassling us in front of your employees.  Sheesh....so, after dropping our things, we walked over to find a bit of food and some wine--right across the road.  Okay.  Now we're fine.  

After we were revived, we walked a short jaunt (maybe 4 blocks) and found ourselves in St. Peter's square.  And right in front of us was St. Peter's Basilica, all lit up.   It was really something to see.

Yesterday, we toured Rome on a hop-on and hop-off bus -- it's a double decker that gives you a tour and you can get off anytime you want to sightsee, then get back on.  We actually rode it around about 2 and a half  times. Noelle tossed a coin into Trevi Fountain, which will insure your return to Rome -- we thought it was to find 'her true love' but, I guess not -- coming back to Rome is not so bad, tho'.  (it was not 'simply easy to toss the coin)

climbing up after the toss

the toss

Rome did not seem that big -- and it's a city with roman ruins all around, so its pretty amazing . It was a long day but very enjoyable.

Today we took the train from Rome to Assisi which is where St Frances of Assisi is from.  Yes, I planned this before the new pope took on St. Frances' name.  Anyway, getting on the  train was ridiculously complicated and stressful (due to lack of expertise in one of the government employees here) -- but it turned out ok.  We had a guy help us whose name was Francisco, and his mother was from Assisi -- so it all was good.

The Coliseum

The Pantheon

 

So now we are in Assisi, which is a mid-evil town in what they cal the hill country of Italy (Umbria).  We will explore more tomorrow, but for now it is just a joy to be here.  It is one of the most sacred places to visit (according to National Geographic) , and I can see why.   

I plan to get up early when it is quiet and I have a chance to see what it's like when no one is around.  Today is Palm Sunday, so there were a lot of people here.   

How is the weather?  There is snow on the nearby hills here and it is chilly, but sunny.

Lu

Subject: Patch and Mr. Patil

Date: March 22, 2013 4:43:03 AM PDT

Hi Auntie,

We had an interesting experience in London yesterday.  Noelle has been concerned about getting ill here in the UK as she didn't want to have to spend the better part of a day going to a doctor; and anyway, where would she go?  As you know, because it's social medicine here, while there is no charge to anyone (even Americans visiting--bless those Brits!) it can take most of your day to see the doctor.

Noelle told me she had hung on without needing medical attention until now.  She has developed a cruddy looking thing on her elbow.  It gets larger and smaller--it's bulbous and red -- but sometimes it's white--the size seems to correspond to the irritation on her elbow from her shirt sleeve.  Anyway, Noey said she thinks she picked it up at her gym the day the club was having water problems -- as the patch had appeared then.

Well, the first thing I thought was that it may be scabies.  I didn't want her to be 'bugged' by my concern -- and the pictures I looked up of scabies didn't really match exactly, but I couldn't be sure--so I didn't mention scabies.
Anyway, late afternoon we checked into the Grovsnor House Hotel, which is a very upscale establishment.  It was at this time that her 'patch' (actually 3 patches) were largely inflated, red, bulbous, and very itchy.

Noelle said, "mom, I need to get this looked at before we go to Italy, because what are we going to do over there? -- it itches like crazy and is driving me nuts".

We considered options.  As the hotel could get a doctor but didn't have an in-house medico, we decided the best thing to do was ask the concierge for his advice.

We sheepishly walked up to William the concierge.  I said, "my daughter has a condition with her skin that needs to be looked at".
William leaned forward, lowered his voice, and asked to see it.  After looking at her patches, William ducked his head further and quietly said,
"Here's what I want you to do.  I have a friend. He can help you -- he gives medicine to Americans."
William drew on a map, the route we should walk, to a nearby pharmacy.  Then William quietly said:
"Immediately go to the rear of the store and ask for Mr. Patil.  Tell him William, at the Grovsnor, sent you"

So we went to a small pharmacy and went straight to the back.
"we are to ask for Mr. Patil. William of the Grovsnor sent us" we said.
The young man said, "If I say I am Mr. Patil, will you let me help you?"
"YES!"
He took a look and brought out some cream.  In the meantime the real Mr. Patil (a man in his 70's) looked at Noey's afflicted area, prescribed the same ointment but added to continue using it for 30 days even if the patches disappeared. The young, Mr. Patil, said, "stay away from health clubs. Do something safe".

And with that advice, and the magic ointment, we left to explore a few PUBS.  We decided that this must be how social medicine is dealt with.  There's an underground system that is highly effective and quick -- you just need your network of contacts. 

We are off to Rome!  We will be in touch!

Luann

Relaxing at Devonport House
Wednesday, March 20th, 2013

Hi Auntie,

We are just an hour out from Noelle going to her evening class.  We had a good day.

After getting into London at noon yesterday, I fell asleep around 10 pm, London time and woke up at midnight.  I watched TV until 2 am when Noelle said, "you should take the melatonin dad sent with you because I think it makes you stay asleep".  She also mentioned that Steve is always looking out for is.  This is true.  So I took the melatonin and I woke up 9 hours later.  I haven't had such a good nights sleep in a long time.

Noey and I went to the Starbucks where she goes regularly, and she worked on her school work.  I proof-read some of her work, as she has me do this from time to time.   Then Noelle went for a run in Greenwich Park -- I walked briskly, in the park, for 45 minutes.  It was very nice -- cold, crisp -- but has the layer of fog than covers the sky here.    I think that is why it is colder here.  Even if the temperature says it's 52, I don't think it is.  It actually 'looks like snow'.

I think that a cool thing about here is that all the dogs are off leash in the park and they behave nicely.  It must be a British thing.  Everyone is polite (especially yesterday when Noelle and I had my big suitcases on the train and some train-line was down so people were crowding (stressful) but I thought to myself that I was glad the Brits are polite. And helpful.  And they were.

Anyway, after our run/walk we went to the Kings Arms pub where we had a bite to eat and I had an 'old speckled hen' ale. I had forgotten that British Pubs serve beer somewhat warm and that the beer seems flat.  I adjusted.

King's Arms Pub

Reading the novel at the Pub

Queen Mary's House
(where some of Noey's classes are held)

Noelle read me the first part of her novel, based on Bickleton, and we discussed some of it and she now is going to re-write a certain part.  That's what some say is the way of writing novels--you re-write and re-write.  Anyway, as Noey says,  this was a product of reading it to someone and their take on it.   It was good and fun.
So, it's been a great day.  Noelle prefers to spend most of her time in my company (at this point, anyway) as it has been a bit lonely here for her.  In fact, she wondered if I wanted me to go to class with her -- but showing my true "Clark Roots" I said:

Pub? or Class?
hmmmm…..
Pub? or Class?
well….
Pub?  or Pub?

She laughed.

That's all for now.

Just so you know, I have decided to try a blog and I am calling it "Notes to Auntie".  I am only going to put my emails, to you, in it.  That way if it's too hard for you to get online for the photos that I will include, you won't miss anything.  I hope this works.

I'll be in touch tomorrow.
How is the weather -- as I said, it is cold here and looks like snow.

Lu