Back to Italy, April 2014
Last Friday night I didn't have much to do, I was sitting at the computer and I typed in "cheap flights to Italy". At the same time my friend posted a post on Facebook with a picture of Cinque Terra. "I might go there next week" I posted. I thought about it for ten minutes and then then hit the 'buy the cheap flight now button'.
As I was now leaving for Italy on Tuesday, I had 3 days to get organized. For the rest of Friday night I imagined where I might like to go and sent a message to my best friend in the whole world. Her name is Wiwa and she lives in Rome. She is like a shining light, lighting up the world around her, she is so funny and lovely. She sent me a message back: "Amazing! But I am in London". I wasn't worried about that. I could go on and do the rest of my tour and meet her in Rome at the end. "I shall go straight to Florence " I messaged her back. (For the real reason I went, you will have to wait for the book)
On Saturday I went to the shops to buy a new suitcase, a new camera, a new comb & some toothpaste, travel insurance and got some brochures on Italy. I began to text my yoga students to let them know that I will be away for 4 weeks. Everybody was very excited! I think most of them found it unbelievable.
On Sunday my son Wayland came over and supervised me packing, he was very helpful with advice on which outfits to take and shoes. I took my new black boots to get a stronger soul put on, unfortunately they weren't ready when I went back to get them on Monday and then I forgot. Never mind, I have my fabulous blue boots that people call out to me "I love your boots" as I stride by. And my blue shiny thongs to match my exquisite long french blue dress. And we chose the cutest little outfit to wear on the journey. Looking good at the airport you gets good service. I got out my passport and translator, my best Guess handbag with the heavy chain that Wayland pointed out could be used as a weapon if the need ever arose.
On Monday I had 3 classes and the middle of the day to run around and do all the official things you need to do when going over to Italy the next day like getting Euros to spend from the bank. My friend, Nicola invited me to lunch so I could tell her all about it too, & I went around my other shop friends and bumped into anybody else who needed to know. I had a big karate class because I had organized Friday's class to join in Monday's class for the end of term - which turned out to be a fantastic idea as it meant I was free to go to Italy for the school holidays. It was a full-on class of action, karate and games.
My friend Marsha came and got my fish, David & Warrior Moon as she is my nominated fish sitter. At 5:30pm I had my last yoga class.
After class my friend David came over to make sure I had packed everything I needed to take. I was all set. I told him this: "You know how at certain times in my life everything seems perfect but it still feels like something is missing?"
"Yes" he said (as I have told him this before.)
"Well on Thursday I felt like that again but it didn't feel like anything was missing. And I went up a level in my life"
"Oh, is that how it works?" He said
"Yes", I said,"and this is my reward. Like when you are playing splashy fish and you go up a level you get a golden crown, not that I can get a crown in splasy fish, infact I usually score 1 or less, but now I have scored a crown in life"
David doesn't know how to play splashy fish either but he got the general idea.
As I was now leaving for Italy on Tuesday, I had 3 days to get organized. For the rest of Friday night I imagined where I might like to go and sent a message to my best friend in the whole world. Her name is Wiwa and she lives in Rome. She is like a shining light, lighting up the world around her, she is so funny and lovely. She sent me a message back: "Amazing! But I am in London". I wasn't worried about that. I could go on and do the rest of my tour and meet her in Rome at the end. "I shall go straight to Florence " I messaged her back. (For the real reason I went, you will have to wait for the book)
On Saturday I went to the shops to buy a new suitcase, a new camera, a new comb & some toothpaste, travel insurance and got some brochures on Italy. I began to text my yoga students to let them know that I will be away for 4 weeks. Everybody was very excited! I think most of them found it unbelievable.
On Sunday my son Wayland came over and supervised me packing, he was very helpful with advice on which outfits to take and shoes. I took my new black boots to get a stronger soul put on, unfortunately they weren't ready when I went back to get them on Monday and then I forgot. Never mind, I have my fabulous blue boots that people call out to me "I love your boots" as I stride by. And my blue shiny thongs to match my exquisite long french blue dress. And we chose the cutest little outfit to wear on the journey. Looking good at the airport you gets good service. I got out my passport and translator, my best Guess handbag with the heavy chain that Wayland pointed out could be used as a weapon if the need ever arose.
On Monday I had 3 classes and the middle of the day to run around and do all the official things you need to do when going over to Italy the next day like getting Euros to spend from the bank. My friend, Nicola invited me to lunch so I could tell her all about it too, & I went around my other shop friends and bumped into anybody else who needed to know. I had a big karate class because I had organized Friday's class to join in Monday's class for the end of term - which turned out to be a fantastic idea as it meant I was free to go to Italy for the school holidays. It was a full-on class of action, karate and games.
My friend Marsha came and got my fish, David & Warrior Moon as she is my nominated fish sitter. At 5:30pm I had my last yoga class.
After class my friend David came over to make sure I had packed everything I needed to take. I was all set. I told him this: "You know how at certain times in my life everything seems perfect but it still feels like something is missing?"
"Yes" he said (as I have told him this before.)
"Well on Thursday I felt like that again but it didn't feel like anything was missing. And I went up a level in my life"
"Oh, is that how it works?" He said
"Yes", I said,"and this is my reward. Like when you are playing splashy fish and you go up a level you get a golden crown, not that I can get a crown in splasy fish, infact I usually score 1 or less, but now I have scored a crown in life"
David doesn't know how to play splashy fish either but he got the general idea.
I'm not quite sure how I managed that. One minute I was in Singleton and 3 days later I was here
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A Great Time in Frienze
I have a cold. It is years since I had a cold. I had to stay in bed with my cold last night and couldn't go down to the party :(. I'm not feeling sorry for myself, I am sort of enjoying being sick, it's like visiting an old friend who I had forgotten about because I don't like them very much.
I couldn't sleep most of the night, eventually it got near morning and I like soooo didn't want to get up. Bed was so nice and warm and cosy. But I have a special Florence card that gets me in to all the galleries and museums without waiting. I am so glad I bought it, I didn't have to book or pay anything more and the entry people like you, I guess it shows that I am seriously interested in their beautiful city and its art. It lasts 3 days, today was the last. Yesterday I went to the Accademia to see the statue of David the day before I went to the Uffizi, today I climbed all the way to top of the dome of the Domo 467 stairs, with a cold. I did well!
I couldn't sleep most of the night, eventually it got near morning and I like soooo didn't want to get up. Bed was so nice and warm and cosy. But I have a special Florence card that gets me in to all the galleries and museums without waiting. I am so glad I bought it, I didn't have to book or pay anything more and the entry people like you, I guess it shows that I am seriously interested in their beautiful city and its art. It lasts 3 days, today was the last. Yesterday I went to the Accademia to see the statue of David the day before I went to the Uffizi, today I climbed all the way to top of the dome of the Domo 467 stairs, with a cold. I did well!
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But that wasn't the first thing I did. I walked to the river, across the bridge and up the road to Orgnissanti basilica to find the tomb of Botticelli. He asked in his will to buried at the feet of his muse, Simonetta Vespucci. Amerigo Vespucci the explorer is buried there too. America is named after him. I also found Bernini. So, tick, one promise fulfilled.
Then I walked very slowly towards the Duomo, looking in all the beautiful shop windows. I am photo- shopping, taking a photo of what I would buy for my friends if I was to buy them something, it is very economical, and saves on space. I went into a chemist near the merry-go-round and bought some cold tablets.
I was so thirsty by the time I got to the Domo and I bought a bottle of sparkling water using my sparse Italian.
There was a really, really long line of tourists waiting to climb up the dome, they would be waiting for ages. And there was a really short line for special people. Of course I get to join the really short line. I go and get my ticket and the ticket man smiled at me. After my climb I popped back in to tell him how cool I thought it was from up there, that made him happy, a little bit of appreciation goes a long way.
When I got back there was no queue at all as I started the climb all by myself, which was only a little freaky. 467 steps later I reached the top. I stopped a few times to catch my breath and write my name on the wall like everyone else. I the sign that said "do not write on the walls" must mean "write your name on the wall".
It's a wonderful view of Florence from up there. All the terracotta roofs stretching out far below and I saw at the top of a hill a little castle tower. All day long that castle tower keeps popping into my view.
Then I walked very slowly towards the Duomo, looking in all the beautiful shop windows. I am photo- shopping, taking a photo of what I would buy for my friends if I was to buy them something, it is very economical, and saves on space. I went into a chemist near the merry-go-round and bought some cold tablets.
I was so thirsty by the time I got to the Domo and I bought a bottle of sparkling water using my sparse Italian.
There was a really, really long line of tourists waiting to climb up the dome, they would be waiting for ages. And there was a really short line for special people. Of course I get to join the really short line. I go and get my ticket and the ticket man smiled at me. After my climb I popped back in to tell him how cool I thought it was from up there, that made him happy, a little bit of appreciation goes a long way.
When I got back there was no queue at all as I started the climb all by myself, which was only a little freaky. 467 steps later I reached the top. I stopped a few times to catch my breath and write my name on the wall like everyone else. I the sign that said "do not write on the walls" must mean "write your name on the wall".
It's a wonderful view of Florence from up there. All the terracotta roofs stretching out far below and I saw at the top of a hill a little castle tower. All day long that castle tower keeps popping into my view.
No one ever understands that the view from the top of the carpark in Singlton always reminds me of this view. It's because I look over the tops of the houses and the whole of singleton is circled by beautiful hills in the distance.
After I stood on the top of my head on the top of the Duomo and climbed all the way back down the stairs I remembered that I wanted to go to the Pitty Palace. It is a very pretty palace with lovely rooms. I was extremely daunted when I walked out the back to see the enormous extent of the gardens. My poor legs cried out in protest and my feet joined them, but I kept encouraging them, "just walk a little bit further, climb a few more stairs, see what is around the next corner, let's find out what is over the rise. Then there in front of me was a park of grass with little white and yellow wild flowers. It was just what I needed, somewhere to lie down and have a nap.
When I opened my eyes again I was looking at the little castle on the top of the hill. Inside the palace was an exhibition of costumes, so special. Also jewels and gold plates and all the stuff they keep in palaces.
When I opened my eyes again I was looking at the little castle on the top of the hill. Inside the palace was an exhibition of costumes, so special. Also jewels and gold plates and all the stuff they keep in palaces.
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There is a party going on downstairs at the hostel. It is sure to be fabulous but I feel so sick and my stomach feels grose. I feel too shy to go down. But I will go.
...I went down and got a bottle of sparking water. My friend Rosa is there but I forgot to put my shoes on and the marble floors are cold. I'm back in bed again now.
I'm in a private room tonight and I can see the little castle at the top of the hill from my window. I tried to walk to find it this afternoon but I only got as close as a high wall on the other side of a valley. Rosa just told me that you have to get there from the other side.
...I went down and got a bottle of sparking water. My friend Rosa is there but I forgot to put my shoes on and the marble floors are cold. I'm back in bed again now.
I'm in a private room tonight and I can see the little castle at the top of the hill from my window. I tried to walk to find it this afternoon but I only got as close as a high wall on the other side of a valley. Rosa just told me that you have to get there from the other side.
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From Florence to Cinque Terra
A Moment of Bliss
It is a sunny morning. I am in Monterosso in Cinque Terra on the Italian west coast. Italian people and birds are calling and singing to their friends. I can hear the tinkle of cutlery and the sound of salt and pepper being set on tables.
I went out to buy a coffee, a take-away cappuccino, in a styrofoam cup. I got two sugars and a little plastic stirring stick. I stirred in the sugar and started to lift the cup to my lips when I was suddenly struck motionless. I was standing by the sea, my eyes caught a glimpse of where I was and I was so struck by what my eyes saw, I was dumb founded - literally, as I have lost my voice and cannot express through sound what I feel.
I looked and saw the sea sparkling with the rays of the morning sun as if it had been strewn with one thousand blue diamonds.
Over awed by the concept that somehow I have managed to bring my self to this amazing place and point in time, my eyes filled with tears of gratitude. I feel myself to be as in a dream, only in dreams can one feel moments where spirit, beauty, and worldly being are perfectly combined and here in my life I found myself standing in such a moment. Totally being as part of and the same as everything that existed at and in the same moments as me. I was the light, the sparkles were me, the water was the same as me, the air, the mountains, the sounds, the sand, we all were one in the same, possessed of and part of the one and the same energy. My mind, my body, my world, my time, my everything existed combined into one.
I don't know why it is me who deserves to be in a moment of total bliss, but for that it is me I am eternally grateful. I am grateful to the traumas in my life for they trained me to find the way out. I can see perfection. I am living the dream.
This photo is not of this moment but I went back to take a photo from the same place. The moment had a dream-like quality though clear as crystal :)
I went out to buy a coffee, a take-away cappuccino, in a styrofoam cup. I got two sugars and a little plastic stirring stick. I stirred in the sugar and started to lift the cup to my lips when I was suddenly struck motionless. I was standing by the sea, my eyes caught a glimpse of where I was and I was so struck by what my eyes saw, I was dumb founded - literally, as I have lost my voice and cannot express through sound what I feel.
I looked and saw the sea sparkling with the rays of the morning sun as if it had been strewn with one thousand blue diamonds.
Over awed by the concept that somehow I have managed to bring my self to this amazing place and point in time, my eyes filled with tears of gratitude. I feel myself to be as in a dream, only in dreams can one feel moments where spirit, beauty, and worldly being are perfectly combined and here in my life I found myself standing in such a moment. Totally being as part of and the same as everything that existed at and in the same moments as me. I was the light, the sparkles were me, the water was the same as me, the air, the mountains, the sounds, the sand, we all were one in the same, possessed of and part of the one and the same energy. My mind, my body, my world, my time, my everything existed combined into one.
I don't know why it is me who deserves to be in a moment of total bliss, but for that it is me I am eternally grateful. I am grateful to the traumas in my life for they trained me to find the way out. I can see perfection. I am living the dream.
This photo is not of this moment but I went back to take a photo from the same place. The moment had a dream-like quality though clear as crystal :)
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I had been told that I must try the fish soup in Cinque Terra by one of my students. I was delicious. And the restaurant which was just under my hotel understood (as I had lost my voice) that I wanted some hot water in a pot and a mint tea bag.
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From Monterosso I caught the train to Genova. I stayed in a newly opened hostel, it was fabulous. I arrived at the same time as two other people so we went out for a very interesting afternoon together. They gave me a bed in room right up the top that wasn't quite finished and I spent in bed I was feeling so ill.
From Genova I flew to Palermo in Sicily for the night and the next day went to Cefalu.
From Genova I flew to Palermo in Sicily for the night and the next day went to Cefalu.
I Feel like a Princess
This morning I was wondering where to stay. There was an email offering accommodation. This place said it had one single room left, I had been told to go to to Cefalu and the villa is in Cefalu so I booked it. Pretty cool to be able to book into paradise via email.
I did a little yoga, it is so quiet and self contained in this place, a private retreat.
At 7pm I went down for dinner. They asked if I would like to sit outside in the garden for dinner to watch the sea, the sunset, with my castle in the back ground because tonight I am the Princess. I had the lovely lady, Cinzia serving me, with four other people working in the kitchen to make my extraordinary five course dinner - I am the only guest. A banquet for a Princess. Cinzia keeps running back to the kitchen to repeat to them what I tell her - I am a yoga teacher from Australia who decided on Friday to jump on a plane and fly over to Italy on Tuesday. They are so amazed. I am the beautiful Princess with the pure heart who's subjects love for her kindness.
I did a little yoga, it is so quiet and self contained in this place, a private retreat.
At 7pm I went down for dinner. They asked if I would like to sit outside in the garden for dinner to watch the sea, the sunset, with my castle in the back ground because tonight I am the Princess. I had the lovely lady, Cinzia serving me, with four other people working in the kitchen to make my extraordinary five course dinner - I am the only guest. A banquet for a Princess. Cinzia keeps running back to the kitchen to repeat to them what I tell her - I am a yoga teacher from Australia who decided on Friday to jump on a plane and fly over to Italy on Tuesday. They are so amazed. I am the beautiful Princess with the pure heart who's subjects love for her kindness.
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I don't know how I've done it but I've done it again. Touched down in paradise again and this time they even told me I am the princess. There really is a castle in the garden. And I am really here. Somehow I'm here in this magical place. I think it is real, it seems too perfect to be real.
I arrived by bus, train and taxi. I was on the bus for a long a time, not because it is a long bus trip, I caught the right bus but going in the wrong direction so I had to go all the way to the end of the route and then all the way back to the other end of the route. It was sort of like taking the hop-on-hop-off bus tour of Palermo except in an ordinary bus. I got to the train station with the train leaving in two minutes. But I caught it and it was running 5 minutes late anyway.
I got off the train in Cefalu - 'shefaloo' - and waited for a taxi. I got a nice tomato and cheese bread roll for lunch while I waited. The taxi drove along a winding road along the the sea-side. That's the Mediterranean sea, a more beautiful blue I have rarely seen, at least not that shade of green/blue. [unnesesary interjection - the blue of the Whitsunday sea is yet to be surpassed in my eyes]. The taxi wound its way up a hill through an orchard and I was greeted by the cutest young Italian man you could ever be hoped to be greeted by. He booked me in and invited me to a special luncheon they were having tomorrow - tomorrow is easter Sunday. I asked if I might be able to eat dinner there in the evening. He went and asked a lady - an elegant lady in the kitchen called Rosie who said that would be ok and her husband, Francesco said at 7:00. Then the young Italian man - Dominico, showed me to my room. He carried my 30kg bag for me (haha sucker) and then I went for a ramble over the grounds. I kept meeting the Dominico as I wandered through the gardens of the villas. I said to him "we must be the only two people on earth; we keep meeting each other". He picked me fruit off the trees.
I can't do justice in words to describe this place and how I felt to be walking through it. It over looks the sea to the front and behind is a mountain side covered in grass, and citrus trees in flower and fruit and olive trees, and wild flowers, purple peas and yellow clover, an old cement pond with running water and a blue pool over looking the blue Mediterranean.
I arrived by bus, train and taxi. I was on the bus for a long a time, not because it is a long bus trip, I caught the right bus but going in the wrong direction so I had to go all the way to the end of the route and then all the way back to the other end of the route. It was sort of like taking the hop-on-hop-off bus tour of Palermo except in an ordinary bus. I got to the train station with the train leaving in two minutes. But I caught it and it was running 5 minutes late anyway.
I got off the train in Cefalu - 'shefaloo' - and waited for a taxi. I got a nice tomato and cheese bread roll for lunch while I waited. The taxi drove along a winding road along the the sea-side. That's the Mediterranean sea, a more beautiful blue I have rarely seen, at least not that shade of green/blue. [unnesesary interjection - the blue of the Whitsunday sea is yet to be surpassed in my eyes]. The taxi wound its way up a hill through an orchard and I was greeted by the cutest young Italian man you could ever be hoped to be greeted by. He booked me in and invited me to a special luncheon they were having tomorrow - tomorrow is easter Sunday. I asked if I might be able to eat dinner there in the evening. He went and asked a lady - an elegant lady in the kitchen called Rosie who said that would be ok and her husband, Francesco said at 7:00. Then the young Italian man - Dominico, showed me to my room. He carried my 30kg bag for me (haha sucker) and then I went for a ramble over the grounds. I kept meeting the Dominico as I wandered through the gardens of the villas. I said to him "we must be the only two people on earth; we keep meeting each other". He picked me fruit off the trees.
I can't do justice in words to describe this place and how I felt to be walking through it. It over looks the sea to the front and behind is a mountain side covered in grass, and citrus trees in flower and fruit and olive trees, and wild flowers, purple peas and yellow clover, an old cement pond with running water and a blue pool over looking the blue Mediterranean.
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Superb food, superb Sicilian wine, so superb to be waited on, they each come out in turn from the kitchen bringing me things. We talk about Australia and the Hunter Valley, I showed them some photos of Mirannie Mountain, my old home I had that was a farm. I told them how much I love Italy. After my first course of cheese and pesto watching the sunset, they transported me inside for the next two courses. The food took a long time to eat because we had so much to say to each other. As I struggled to finish the third and fourth course they came from the kitchen and invited me to join them all together around a table for their dinner.
What an amazing evening. We talked, and talked and talked about to love your family no matter what they do to you. We talked about zen and that if you let everything arise naturally everything is perfect and happy and not to worry, be happy. We talked about karate and Kill Bill. We talked about Italy and how I got here, that Italy whistled and I came and that everyone who I am supposed to meet is in the right place at the right time, and Sicily and where I should visit, about Botticelli and Primavera, about all my David's - of course they saw the photos of my fish. And to finish off we clink glasses of desert wine all together over strawberries and cream.
I am so grateful to have been so blessed. It is humbling to have this.
I bought a beautiful scarf this morning from a hawker at Palermo. It is keeping my sore throat warm in bed.
Life doesn't come better than this. Not if you were an emperor or a queen or a king. I don't know how to express it.
What an amazing evening. We talked, and talked and talked about to love your family no matter what they do to you. We talked about zen and that if you let everything arise naturally everything is perfect and happy and not to worry, be happy. We talked about karate and Kill Bill. We talked about Italy and how I got here, that Italy whistled and I came and that everyone who I am supposed to meet is in the right place at the right time, and Sicily and where I should visit, about Botticelli and Primavera, about all my David's - of course they saw the photos of my fish. And to finish off we clink glasses of desert wine all together over strawberries and cream.
I am so grateful to have been so blessed. It is humbling to have this.
I bought a beautiful scarf this morning from a hawker at Palermo. It is keeping my sore throat warm in bed.
Life doesn't come better than this. Not if you were an emperor or a queen or a king. I don't know how to express it.
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Easter Sunday 20th April 2014
We had a delicious Easter Feast that Cinzia had invited friends to. And they took us on a tour of the castle that they were renovating. Those friends became my friends, especially Aurora, the beautiful and talented young daughter. She does ballet and martial arts. We are still close friends.
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My friends I met that Easter Sunday have become some of my best friends I have in the whole world.
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21st April 2014
From Chefalu I went to Taormina. I totally loved it there, even though I had developed a terrible headache that was getting so bad I could't even hear what people were saying to me when they talked and I couldn't think clearly because of the pain. I carried on.
I met some lovely people there. I met 2 American men on the bus going up to the town from the train station. The bus broke down and we had to walk. A taxi came by so we all jumped in. I got out somewhere, got lost as usual, a nice man grabbed my heavy suitcase and carried it down the stairs for me. I arrived at a Hotel Toarmina that obviously wasn't the right place as it was extremely elegant with vases of flowers standing in front of gilt framed mirrors. The helpful girl behind the desk rang Hostel Toarmina where I was staying and another helpful girl from there walked up the narrow alleys to find me. When we arrived at the front gate I realized we had driven passed it in the taxi.
I spent a lovely day discovering the town with a girl from New Zealand. We saw my American friends so we arranged to meet for dinner at their hotel that night. It was right on top of the cliffs overlooking the sea and the town. Fireworks were going off. We had fish and wine and learned about each other lives.
I met some lovely people there. I met 2 American men on the bus going up to the town from the train station. The bus broke down and we had to walk. A taxi came by so we all jumped in. I got out somewhere, got lost as usual, a nice man grabbed my heavy suitcase and carried it down the stairs for me. I arrived at a Hotel Toarmina that obviously wasn't the right place as it was extremely elegant with vases of flowers standing in front of gilt framed mirrors. The helpful girl behind the desk rang Hostel Toarmina where I was staying and another helpful girl from there walked up the narrow alleys to find me. When we arrived at the front gate I realized we had driven passed it in the taxi.
I spent a lovely day discovering the town with a girl from New Zealand. We saw my American friends so we arranged to meet for dinner at their hotel that night. It was right on top of the cliffs overlooking the sea and the town. Fireworks were going off. We had fish and wine and learned about each other lives.
23rd April
The next day I went on a day tour to Mount Etna. It was freezing cold and so black, I never saw a place that was so black, and quiet, not even a bird singing, it was totally desolate. On the tour we went wine tasting at a vineyard for lunch and down to see a flowing river and aqueduct. I nicked an orange from a tree in an archard. I put the peel in my pocket. on the way back up from the river I put the peel in a rubbish bin, then I realized that I also had a tiny bottle of perfume from France in my pocket and it got thrown in the bin with the orange - that's karma for you. And we went down an ice cave, that was really interesting. In the old days, snow used to fall through a hole into the cave and turn into ice. then the ice man would come with his donkey and cart and carry the ice down to the town to sell to the people.
24th April. I spent a really long time on the train going from Sicily to Naples because they dismantle the train at Messina, put it on a ferry and put it back together again on the other side of the water. Perhaps next time I wont travel so far as Naples, I'll find a nice spot to stop that isn't so far.
April 25, 2014 · Naples, Italy
Disatrous day which I won't go into. I found this entry on facebook: Is anyone there? I have such a terrible headache. And I'm stuck somewhere near Naples in a hotel. It's the middle of the night. I have taken so many pills & done yoga. It comes everyday. I had a cold shower and went to sleep. The headache is not there now. I decided I am just going to go to Rome. Rome will fix me up. There is a big celebration I heard as pope John Paul is being made a saint. I booked a room which is lucky as they are all booked out. Now I just have to get from here which is nowhere to the train again. And this is not so bad. I have a room and room service. Only I spent a lot on the taxi. I don't know what it is. I thought it was sinus but that has cleared up. It may be a nerve in my neck perhaps. I'll go to the chiropractor when I get back. Its so strange it usually comes on in the evening
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April 26th
Bloody bloody bloody bum. I'm so proud of myself to make it to somewhere in Rome then I find a message from Wiwa she is in dumb stupid Naples. Bloody bloody bum stupid stupid stupid bum. Oh well I have a nice room and I shall go to the Borgese Gardens and see the pope become a saint. I thought I wasn't here for a religious experience. I'm so lucky to have a room because someone didn't turn up, and it is just a block away from the Borgese gardens, and there is a fresh bubbler of water, thank goodness, as it is very hot. The city is full up, peole are sleeping in St Peter's square, waiting for the Pope. Thank God I had a room, and a lovely room too with a mosaic floor and tiny lift to take me to the right floor. I stayed in and did some hand washing. There was a supermarket across the road. Supermarkets in foreign cities are so interesting, with different things to home. I bought a comb and some sardines and some herbal tea.
My own room service for dinner again tonight, I felt so ill and tired I couldn't go out, be greatful for small mercies. I found what I could - a two-day old warmed up chocolate croissant, french fries I brought with me, bread sticks from last night's hotel, an orange picked from an orchard on mt Etna and peppermint tea. And a biscuit in my bag from breakfast.
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Breakfast served in Bed at the Angel bed and breakfast
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April 27th Rome
My orange tree I grow in a pot outside my studio wasn't doing very well so I came to see how they prune the ones in the Borgese Gardens. They are very old and healthy. Every time I went away my tree got so sad it died (inspite of someone watering it for me), and every time I came home it was happy and came back to life.
I went on the hop on hop off bus tour of Rome, which I always enjoy in every city I go to. And I went to visit Catel Saint Angelo. The place was jam packed with pilgrims.
April 28th Tivoli Gardens
Another disastrous day. It was pouring with rain when we arrived at Tivoli. The guide took us around Hadrian's Villa in the rain. My blue boots got ruined and my feet I got soaked - certainly not good for my illness. And we went to see the gardens at Villa d'Este. They are supposed to beautiful with magnificent water features. But they close them when there is too much rain. I did not want to walk in the rain anymore so I went and found a subterranean restaurant and spent the afternoon there trying to warm up my feet, and drinking tea.
Wow imagine how bad it must have been for the 3 million pilgrims who had gathered in St Peter's square to see the Pope become a saint.
Wow imagine how bad it must have been for the 3 million pilgrims who had gathered in St Peter's square to see the Pope become a saint.
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Finally at last when I got back (through pouring rain) Wiwa was there to meet me. It was a struggledoing so much in a couple of weeks while I was feeling so sick. After Naples I lost the spark to talk with people. I became the alloof fashion queen. It was lovely to spend time with Wiwa.
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You probably imagine I come to Rome for the art and culture and adventure. The real reason is the bean bags. They are stuffed with foam offcuts not the annoying little foam balls.
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Wiwa fed me so much! I went from slender to fat in a day! I could barely see my toes. We ate croissants stuffed with chocolate, Iced chocolate with whipped cream even a chocolate spoon, double gelato and and kebab and fries and coke, and that was after breakfast.
It was my last night in Rome. I still had a day to fill in so I went back to Florence then to Finland for the day then the long Flight home. |
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It was absolutely freezing in Helsinki. I've never been so cold in my life. This is the beautiful warm glass restaurant I found to have a delicious lunch with chocolate desert as well. One of my favorite terrible stories happened that day, but I'll tell you another time.