Back to Earth

Well this week has changed dramatically for us. Weather has turned colder (almost like that last cold blast that hits before summer). It has been showery and umbrellas have been in big demand. They are sold usually by people of African origin on the street. Normally they sell a large umbrella for 10 euro but not when they come up against Carolyna. Oh My g..
Poor man walked away shaking his head at the 5 euro in his hand after facing up to the ultimate negotiator.

Sunday started as most days, breakfast at home then to our local for un caffe e un caffe latte.

That's Fabio in the background. Il Capo of the bar

Then for a long walk which culminated in a visit to the Vaticano. They do not allow visitors into certain areas unless they are there for a service, prayer or confession. Carolyn learnt the secret to getting in and so we ended up attending mass at St Peters at 5pm on Sunday. Quite an experience.

Il Vaticano is not just St Peters but it is a wonderful museum with amazing collections. We spent some time in the crypt area where amany of the popes have been laid to rest. Very interesting. Hard to describe the feeling being in the presence of such history

Here is Alan coming out of St Peters after church

So on Monday off we go to our first Italian lessons. We feel very comfortable at the school. In our class we have a Korean, two from Brazil, one from London and one from US, plus of course two aussies

We are learning some good elements of the language and even though we both feel that we will never be ultra proficient in the language our skills are undoubtedly improving. They teach in Italian so it forces you to listen and concentrate. Quite a good way to learn.

Below are some pics of our welcoming party on day three.

The lady holding the floor here is our teacher, Anna Rita

And here is one of her best students. A number of the students at the school are associated with the Vatican from foreign countries

The course runs for a month and is on every day except weekends. This week has been interrupted by a visit we needed to make to the Questura (police) to locally register for our Permesso di Soggiorno. What an experience. Fortunately we had a pre arranged interview time and someone to help us. We got there at about 9am and left at about 12-30. Firstly we had to get our papers reviewed and filed. Then we had to wait while everyone was fingerprinted and details reconfirmed. You have every finger printed singularly, as a whole and even the palms of your hands.

Glad that is over but I must say that, as is the case with so many Italians, the staff at the Questura were very friendly and kind to the Starnieri (foreigners)

Well thats all for now. This weekend we have booked a car and will go to Umbria which is a couple of hours north east of Roma. We stay on Friday and Saturday night in Spoleto but hope to get to other Umbrian towns including Spelo, Assissi, Todi, Orvieto and possibly Gubbio

Carolyna is cuurently a little unwell with some sort of virus. Hopefully it will only be a short one.

Ciaio, ciao baccio a tutti