roma! day 1.

we left for italy on tues, june 8th and arrived in to rome at 7:45am after an 8.5 hr flight. we then had to figure out how to get to the hotel (we took a shuttle). we had a small charming place called residenzia cellini which was in an area near temini (the train station) around the corner from the repubblica piazza. check it out: http://www.residenzacellini.it


the outdoor patio that was off our floor. the floor had about 5 or 6 rooms of which we had 3. we were on the 5th floor.

once we settled in, we decided to go out and explore rome by foot. so we wandered around and found the spanish steps, the presidential palace and the trevi fountain. and then, we were exhausted and decided we needed a quick nap before dinner.

at the spanish steps, dad was consulting the trusty map when a local asked him what he was looking for... skeptical me wanted to know what the heck he wanted. turns out he just wanted to be nice and help! he talked to us for probably 15-20 mins and was so friendly and just cute. he ended up recommended the restaurant we went to dinner at - not far from where we were staying. he said to ask for the prix fixe meal and to ask for a tour of the kitchen. he said to say franco sent us. so we did! and dinner was delicious and the tour of the kitchen was pretty cool too... boy, it was hot in there. i know understand what it means: if you can't take the heat get out of the kitchen! so i got out of the kitchen but not before a few pics were taken!


our first family shot in italy.


view from the spanish steps


the spanish steps


when i first saw people drinking the water from the fountain, i thought 'ewwww, that's so disgusting!!' but it turns out that they are all spring fed, super fresh water fountains and thus, the water is not only potable, it is delicious... and cold! so here is dad refilling the water bottle at the fountain in the spanish steps piazza.


our adorable friendly italian guy, franco, who recommended al grappo del oro.


at the trevi fountain... take two: mom didn't realize you had to toss over your left shoulder with your right hand.


making our wishes....


me and the parents.


and me and dad. mom gave me two coins to toss b/c the saying goes toss 1 to come back to italy and 2 to get married and 3 to get divorced and 4 for something else (can't remember what). so mom gave me two coins. do i really need the fountains help?! umm, sure! guess we'll find out if works at some point in time!!


climbing up a bunch of stairs. the presidential palace is in the upper left.


dad studies the map while carl talks to the officer in italian. we were all exhausted and trying to find our hotel!


at dinner. it was delicious!


we got a nice serenade too.


all of us in the tiny hot kitchen with the chefs. not a great picture, but i had to include b/c i felt very holly and scott like when we were in there checking it out and posing for a pic.


and i thought of devs when i washed my hands in the bathroom!


check out all the fresh fish! i stuck my finger in the mouth of one and made a goofy face. call it too much vino by this point!!