More of Italy... heck yeah!

Ready to set sail on the Celebrity Equinox, eat way too much at the buffet, and see some more of Italy. 

Loving the deck and the sunset.

Sicily was exactly what you would think if you were thinking of an island that was the birthplace of the mafia. The streets were quiet and covered with graffiti, it was hot, and every car that passed us looked capable of involvement in a drive by. And so, we walked quickly, paid full price, and then got back on the boat. The place we were walking to was a monastery and memorial for soldiers that had lost their lives in WWI and WWII. The roads were meandering, and we could not seem to get to it, until finally,

We get there.

Outside there is a huge bell, and a view of the town and the cruise ship.

Us, walking around the streets of Sicily.  If you ever decide to move to Italy, one thing I would say is, please make sure that your stuff looks good as it is dripping dry, because stuff is hanging everywhere, and no one is very bashful about having their undies just flapping.

Love this car.  The kids are in the picture for perspective. 

This gorgeous building is deserted.  All the shops are closed, and there was no one around.   And so while our time in Sicily was brief, I would like to go back and get some Sicilian style pizza.  someday.

Yup, it is definitely time for a new camera.  See that black wishbone thing on the left side, that is a flaw in our lens, and it is in every picture from here on out.  A couple of times the date will be upside down and on top of the picture because I thought it would be a good idea to flip the camera and get the wishbone in the water, or in the rocks or something, of course forgetting about the date... yes, I am not that bright....
So here is the Acropolis in Athens, as viewed from another hill across town that has a tiny church on it.

Us, and Athens.

On the climb, Pooks found this cute turtle.

This lady was NOT happy that we were here, she was trying to clean the slates of the church.

Next stop of the day, the Acropolis.  Can you believe that this is a SLOW day???  This place was mobbed.  I would have hated to be there when it was busy!

These are some spare parts they had lying around.

This place is Zeus' Temple.  The funny thing about Greece, they have so much historical stuff, it's like, let's wait until this stuff all falls down, THEN we'll fix it.

These fierce looking guys are guards of the Parliament Building.  When you see protests on CNN in
Athens about the austerity measures, it is happening in this square, with these guys keeping everyone under control. 
And yes, those are big pom-poms on their shoes.

Our next stop was the location of the first public latrines.  I know, who wants to go to Disney when you can see this stuff???  Right???  So, according to the big sign, this rectangular building has an oblong lobby and a rectangular hall, with a bench with round holes around all four sides.  Hmmmmm......  

Who needs to go? 

Last stop of the day was a shopping area, where we picked up the ouzo for our party in NH, and some evil eye jewelry to keep us safe.

We also had to try some good Greek beer. 

And of course some baklava, from one of the most famous bakeries in Athens.  Founded in 1920 this baklava was fantastic.

AND it comes in this cute little box with a ribbon.  Who could resist?  Not us! 

You talkin' ta me???

Phew, it has been a long and crazy summer, and as you can tell, we have been busy.  These pictures are the first set from our trip home, by way of Italy, Greece, and Turkey.  I uploaded the pictures soon after returning home (on July 2) and then got swamped with visiting, celebrating, and getting my fill of cold Sam Adams before we head back to Korea.  And so, before we DO head back (on Saturday... WOAH!) I have to finish the pictures from the summer.  That is my one goal, well that and getting some SA Oktoberfest :)  So here we are on the first day of our vacation at the Colosseum. 

The thing about Rome is that there is so much history EVERYWHERE!  It is like, hey, turn around and check out that history! 

The Colosseum inspired some very interesting discussions about what exactly happened here, and why, and if there was actual blood involved. 

It is pretty amazing to think that all these heads could be identified, sort of, by who the people were, and why they were carved.  I mean I look at the good ole West HS yearbook and I can't remember more than 4 or 5 people, and that was just a few... ahem, yes, a FEW years ago!

It is strange because when you see a crucifix, you naturally think of Jesus, but two other guys were also crucified alongside him, and according to wiki answers the Romans crucified about 10,000 people, and probably more, so it really makes you think. 

This next place on our walking tour of Rome was this place, a tomb of someone really important.  Not sure exactly who, because this building wasn't even on our map, but I am sure he was really important.  See the size of the building?  THAT is how I know.

We bribed the kids to keep on walking in the sweltering heat with promises of pizza and gelato.  The pizza was good, but it was the gelato that they were really after.  We had it four times... in one day.  UH, yeah, it was that good.

This next place is the Pantheon, a sanctuary which was built as a temple to all the gods of Rome in 126, but since around the 700s it has been used as a catholic church for St.Mary and the martyrs.  That is amazing.  You can see some beautiful and incredible things in the US, but this was build 1366 years BEFORE Columbus sailed the ocean blue. 

I had to get a picture of the cute nuns. 

Still walking...

Another place that is not even on the map.  See what I mean about history being everywhere? 

Next stop, the Vatican.  This place is huge and surrounded by a WALL!  The wall is about 40 feet high and 30 feet wide at the bottom and surrounds the whole backside. 

It would be very difficult to get in without paying the admission.  Also, they screen your bag and metal detect you, plus you have to pay.  You would think that Catholics would be allowed in for free, but no... we have to pay, just like everyone else.

These pictures coming up are all from inside the Vatican walls.

This ceiling is one of the last ones you see before you enter the Sistine Chapel, one of the most amazing places on earth.  The ceiling is decorated with amazing works of art, and we were able to see Michelangelo's painting, The Creation of Adam.  The only sound inside the Sistine people is the guards SHUSHING everyone constantly, and telling everyone to be quiet.  It was an amazing experience...

and which caused Pooks to start gushing blood from her nose, and startling all of the other visitors into thinking she was somehow touched by God.  If you have ever seen Pooks have a nosebleed, she does not daintily seep blood, she is like a geyser, and blood was everywhere!  Even the guard was startled into letting us into some private areas in his rush to get us to a bathroom.  I wish I had my camera, but it would have been hard to say, "No it's OK, you can take her to the bathroom, I am just going to get a few shots of this private and blocked off area of the Vatican... no, really, I'm fine..."  so here she is, with some holy toilet paper stuffed up her nose.  

The scene of the scene.

Unfortunately, this is as close as we could get to the pope. 

Back on the outside we start the long walk home...



More bribery occurring...

Who wouldn't love Rome, I mean, look at this place.

Of course, some of us need a different kind of motivation...

Last stop on the long walk, the grocery store, where we were trying to decide if this would fit in our luggage.   Next stop, Celebrity cruise... stay tuned.