The Destination Beach Wedding. June 8th, 2012.

Dear John and Erin, I am excited beyond words for your wedding on the beach in a far away land. I hear the gentle beautiful, translucent bluegreen waters lapping at the sandy beach. I see you dressed in the traditional wedding gown and linen shirt and casual pants. Your faces and body movements speak a million words of love and joy. I see our friends and many wedding guests seated and excitedly waiting for your special moment together. The party at Wet Wendies of this eve was so fun and now a treasured memory for the future with lots of fun photos.

But back to reality it is February 23rd, 2012, the cool north winds are blowing. The birds sing, wondering why the spring temperatures of yesterday melted away. My azaleas, hyacinth, and calla lillies are blooming. My Stargazer Lillies Bouquet from Valentine's Day are still blooming on the coffee table.
Thinking of John's trip to Malaysia soon and missing our Family Segway Party downtown Houston for my Birthday Wish list. Life, It is full of adventure and surprises.

Day 2-Thursday Oct 15( John and the Girls)

We jumped into John Fiore's Mercedes Van at 8 am. John was a tall, big man for an Italian with a matching loud, clear projecting voice speaking excellent English. He was born in the US and studied a time at Trinity in San Antonio. He was 52y/o with a bad back and this touring was his business.
He immediately filled us with much of Rome history, Mussolini's architectural impact, and stopped for us to take in many important historical sights in Rome. The Pantheon,The Forum, Circus Maximus, The Spanish Steps, a park, on one of the seven hills of Rome, with great view including The Vatican. The markets and lunch, Berlini's Elephant(good luck symbol was fun. The location of Caesar's murder, Trevi Fountain for a coin toss, Constantine's Arch, etc.
Too soon it was 2pm and time for the 1 hour drive to Port Citivietechia to catch our Carnival Dream Cruise departing at 7pm. John stopped at a grocery store for us to purchase extra bottles of wine to take on board. No Problem....Fun was going to be the theme for us.

Day 1- Rome on Foot, 4 PM- 8PM Oct. 14th.

The first day in rome I was alone as my friends would arrive later in the evening. I got about a two hour nap and then nervously took a shuttle ride alone. Dropped by Shuttle Bus, I found my way up a street finding it to be Petroselli or via del Teatro Maricello. I followed people who had cameras hanging like jewels about their neck. I felt safer already. I followed two women into a church and was delighted by the inside. I sat and prayed a bit, I was thrilled to have made the decision to go it alone, taking the risk and feeling exhilarated by the surprises. I checked my watch and began to walk further up the street when out of no where there was a throng of tourists walking up steps. I got my camera out and took pictures of the statues, ancient buildings, and plaza. I had no idea where I was. I read Museo Capitoli. I was stopped as I tried to enter a building. It might have been the university. I surely did not look like a professor or student with my USA attitude.. I found a stone stairway going down and amazed at the old walls about me. I suddenly came upon a huge deep area of ruins( The Forum) far below. I could see a glimpse of the Colliseum ahead. This moment will remain in my brain for all time...I knew immediately this must be an early Roman historical site. I tried to read the Italian descriptions. I dug out a map which had been totally confusing earlier. It mentioned the burial place of Caesar. There was Arco di Tito, Palatino, Piazza Francesca Romana,Via Curia, etc. I found my way walking toward the Colliseum on Via Del Fori Imperial. I arrived and felt so incredibly shocked at the close proximity of this Colliseum, I could reach out and touch this amazing historical stucture. I walked the perimeter and excited at Arch di Constantine. I walked Via Di S Gregorio and to Via Dei Cerchi, then Via Dei Circo Massimo. I sat and rested on the Aventino (park)edge, it was 6:30 pm. Watched a few people running or walking the grassy park common areas. I was finding my way back to the 8 pm shuttle pick up. I was thirsty and thought I found a bar....It was a Motorcycle Repair Shop. YIKs! I hustled on my way past Piazza S Anastasia and Arco Di Giano. I found I had an hour before the shuttle I walked up a small hillside street and crossed to Longotevere dei Pierleoni and talked with a young(from Michigan)couple celebrating an anniversary & gazing and picturing along the Fiume Tevere. It was getting dark now. I found a hidden outdoor restaurant and bought my first giallato and cappuccino before I walked to my shuttle pickup. I had a great afternoon in Rome. Now time to find the girls..

October 14-First hours in Rome Sleepy, Nervous and Excited.

I arrived(7:30AM, Oct 14th)(12:30Am Houston)at the Rome airport after departing (Oct 13,5pm)Newark NJ. After going through immigration, and gathering my bag I asked for the shuttle location to my Holiday Inn. I found it, by luck, in the cold morning air and waited(9AM)15 minutes. I struck up a conversation with Ohio Folk waiting for their shuttle to Hilton Hotel. They, too, were going on the Carnival Dream Cruise.

I arrived at the hotel and dropped on my bed for a quick nap at 10AM. I noted I had about two hours before I might catch a free shuttle into downtown Rome for sightseeing by my lonesome self. My three girlfriends would not arrive until 6PM.
I overslept and awakened at 2 pm. I freshened and decided to take the 4pm shuttle to where-ever in Rome. On the shuttle was a Florida couple and a young Phillopino. We talked and shared our stories of arrival. The Florida couple hinted they were going right back on the same shuttle;they,too, tired to get off. The Phillopino was getting in some tourist time because he would be working the Cruise Ship tomorrow. I walked off the shuttle nervous as a cat on a hot tin roof. I prayed that the Florida couple would get off and stay with me,did not happen. The Phillopino man asked of my plans. I said confidently, "see the sites" and then turned my back to take I Phone pictures of my surroundings as to remember how to get back and catch the shuttle back to hotel. It would be dark by 8pm and I was alone with no contact with my familiar safety net.

Livorno, Italy Beautiful Tuscany October 26th Monday

Oh, how do I begin to share the feelings driving along these country roads among the flowing hills with plowed fields, grape groves, farm house castles and more. I see animals grazing on the distant hills. I imagine the many acres of sunflower fields blooming in July. The guide tells that very likely it is the Etruscans from southern Asia who emmigrated here many centuries BC, fleeing hardship, war, discrimination. No one really knows why. The Guide tells us that they were a peaceful & passive people in this area of Tuscany with a Matriarchal Society. She says the men would be out in the fields doing long hours of work while the women managed the homes deciding the leadership style for community prosperity.
Tuscany became popular because of the Hollywood film "Under the Tuscan Sun".
Our tour bus meandered along the bending, rising roads as we watched the rolling hills and vast vistas slip by faster than we could print a memory in our brain.

We arrived at the first town very high above the valley of rolling hills, Volterra.
The morning air was brisk, fresh and the sun glistening off the ancient rock and stone castle-like fortress of the town.

Alabaster is mined off the mountains. The store near our bus was a large alabaster store. We meandered in and I bought a blue stone bracelet for 5 Euros.
Soon, we were called together and the 50 tourists were led to the Medieval Center (of town). There were open air cafe's with out patrons so early in the morn. There were many narrow cobblestone walkways leading in all directions begging us come hither and remember or spend money...We found an empty park and a potty for free. The park was nestled along a hillside mental institution. We found lots of colorful trees as autumn had arrived.

One incredible observation we noted that everywhere in Italy one must pay .50 Euros to use the toilette. We wondered how does one pay an employee take these small monies. There surely is more to the story.
We found a cafe serving coffee by a Phillpino and the busy owner of this chocolate and coffee store. We had some treats and meandered among the stone streets admiring the way people hung out their wash and lived in these old buildings with flowers and plants in pots on their front step or hanging from their windows high. We purchased some items and noticed a small yellow bus filled with young children taking a tour of the town center.
We were off to the next town and a farm house lunch in the town of San Gimingano. Lunch time was 1:30 and we thoroughly enjoyed the dining event. Seated, and with quick picture taking, because it was time for some wine and rest. We were served a type of basic brushetta with tomatoes, purple onion,white cannelli beans and wine
(The guide told us that the tomato first came to Italy from Mexico centuries ago. Tomatoes were not a natural occurence in Italy.)
We had bowtie tomato pasta and wine, salad and proscuitta and salami, more wine and rasberry dessert, more wine. We were a happy crowd and I am thinking how wonderful people are, the talents and desires, the energy and creativity, it is breathtaking when I think of it. I can only give to God, thanks for this joy I am gifted.
We walked the stone streets, visited numerous shops, took too many pictures and amazed at the crowds of people from all over the globe. It was a beautiful farewell to our Italian countryside visit.
We were back on our boat at about 7 pm. It was an 1 and 1/2 hour bus ride back to Livorno and the Cruise ship. We were tired but Donna and I managed to freshen and dress for our last dinner in the dining room with Anthony and Leslie attending to our every dining need. How I wish I had more energy to go to one of the numerous dancing lounges as I was not with a care in the world when dancing with my girlfriends. To room 7343 we went and packed and nudged our clothes and souveniers into place. Placed our bags outside our door at 10:30 pm and slept our last nite on this Carnival Dream...Tomorrow meet John Fiore, our Rome Guide and our Vatican Visit.

Monte Carlo, Monaco Saturday Oct 24th

It was sunny and warm and beautiful as we slowly cruised at 7pm into the most beautiful Port of Monaco, framed with mountains and cliffs, the Grimaldi Palace and beautiful architecture graced the mountainside. Stately yachts were everywhere this Saturday nite on the glass topped sea. We were on the high deck portside watching the events of bringing in this huge boat. It would be the second time in history a cruise ship of this size docked. The residents joked that if the captain missed his target he might knock out all of tiny Monaco. They claim it takes two of this tiny country to fill Central Park in New York.
We were dressed our best and dashed out of the boat for a free nite of fun on the town. We found our way to the Casino palaces and gained entrance to the slot machine room. No cameras or coats allowed. Entrance fee of 10 Euros to get to the tables in the next rooms. People were everywhere. A huge white tent was set up outdoors and German Octoberfest music could be heard from it. I slipped into the arena to have a look and smelled the familiar sauerkraut. Accordian music was playing. I left quickly as too late for the festivities. The four of us bought souvenirs and walked the streets, gazing into the windows of expensive stores. A carnival was happening at the port entrance. I asked a couple that seemed kindly what the celebration was about. They said it was Prince Albert's 50th birthday. Celebrations for 3 weeks. The next morning we were up early to take a tour bus through Monaco to Nice, France and Ese Village. It was breathtaking, but terribly crowded in Nice, part of the French Riviera. Goodness, Ouch, they sunbath on rocky beach terrain. Yuk! We saw the incredibly expensive and 5 domed Russian orthodox church built by Emperor Nicholas. He and his family spent many vacation holidays in Nice. We were not allowed to enter as it was Sunday Mass time. We were taken to the markets and were amazed by the open air market products and cafes, many filled with smoking patrons reading the newspaper and having family visits.
Soon we were off to the Village of Ese. I loved this quiet place high atop the mountain safe from pirates in ancient times. The tour guide pointed out the homes of Elton John, Tina Turner, Bill Gates, famous artists and novelists among others. Also the area Princess Grace drove her car off the cliff. We shopped and walked the cobblestone hillside village. We soon were whisked back to the cruise ship. We grabbed a bite to eat and back out to the Principality Castle of Grimaldi and Cathedral which Princess Grace was married. We toured the ancient 20 rooms of the palace, learning much of the history of the Grimaldi Family. We were back to the ship by 8pm as it would be leaving port for Livorno, Italy.

Rough Seas cancels Barcelona, October 23/24th

After our Messina visit, We, Charley and the 3 Angels, found ourselves in the hot tub with our customary glasses of wine when a young man who seemed to move from hot tub to hot tub appeared. We were soothing our heels and relaxing as we did most everyday for a few minutes after our tours or working out in the gym. (Now this young man with no name had visited with us most everyday in this hot tub. He reminded us of our our sons. Kind hearted, handsome with easy conversation. He was from Seattle, Washington. He and his wife were traveling alone because his parents and brother had to cancel due to serious illness. In fact, they were in Houston at MD Anderson Hospital. He began to announce to other cruiser friends we were his Houston girls. That is when we decided to adopt him as our son. His parents weren't there and we were. We were in the hot tub after Sicily on our way to Barcelona when he told us that a terrible storm was brewing and some rocky cruising was in store. Within minutes a heavy cold wind blew across the hot tub knocking over everything in site. Mostly our wine glasses. We jumped out the hot tub and grabbed our flying and flapping angel robes and went to our rooms.
Later in the nite our boat was indeed rocking with our doors creaking. I jumped out of bed and wobbled to the Burgundy Lounge for Mass, in Latin no less. I heard the lower decks had some very ill guests. The Infirmary was handing out medicine for motion sickness. We watched the TV monitors as to the boat position in the seas with reported 40 feet waves. We noticed it had turned back. Shortly, the announcement was made that we would have to cancel the Barcelona stop as the seas were too rough. We were going to cozy up along the eastern coast of Sardegna and Corse Islands on our way to an early arrival in Monte Carlo,Monaco. The rocking boat settled immensely. Our group stayed healthy.