During the course of the rest of the day we showed them around town, had lunch at the Kings Head with Dad's first Guinness, and even managed a nap before we went out for the evening. We wanted our visitors to be in fine form as there as an important Rugby World Cup match of Ireland vs. France on that evening. Ireland had a rough go of it and the game ended as a one sided defeat but it was still fun to burgers the size of our head and try to explain all the rules of Rugby when I hardly know them myself.
Saturday was a driving day. This was the first time that Dad had driven on the left side of the road. Although he was quite good at learning this new approach he was not too keen on the whole thing. I would have gladly added myself to the insurance but that would have taken an almost two hour drive out of our way just so that John would drive less. Somehow that didn’t add up to us. So we set off for the Cliffs of Moher. We took our time and got there eventually. We stopped for lunch and many a time on the coast road to take in the beautiful views of the waves crashing against the craggy coast. The sun was
out and we were on an adventure and saw no need to rush. When we did finally make it to the cliffs they were well worth the wait!Sunday we took a break from driving and after church went into town for the Sunday market. We each got a falafel and cruised by the fresh produce, crafts and art work that the market had to offer. That night we went to McDonagh’s for the obligatory fish and chips dinner. You can t come to Ireland, let alone Galway and not have fish and chips. That just wouldn’t be right. So we indulged in the greasy goodness and got drenched in the rain afterwards as we tried to make it back to our car. Now that’s how we roll in Ireland!
Monday was another driving day as we went west on a drive to Connemara and Kylemore Abby. By this point Dad was becoming more confident on the roads. Connemara is a rugged countryside with lots of rocks and barren grassy plains. Mix that with scattered showers and sun and you had recipe for a wild day of driving, we even saw six rainbows in one day!!
Tuesday we embarked on our journey to Italia. Dad picked us up at 8 for breakfast at their B and B. Mary, the host, had invited us and we were not going to turn her down, Irish hospitality rivals Southern hospitality any day! It was great meal filled with lots of chatter amongst the tables of mostly US visitors. After a long drive across Ireland we reached the Dublin Airport. A 
two hour flight later we were all in a new country! When we touched down in Italy we were tired but so excited to start our adventure. The Yulo’s arranged for a driver to pick us up and what an experience it was to begin with an authentic Italian driver zooming his way down the “old Appia” and “New Appia” (Appian Way) past catacombs, the Colloseum, huge statues and lots of Smart Cars and mopeds that we were sure we were about to take out any second since we were in a large van tailgating everything in his path.
two hour flight later we were all in a new country! When we touched down in Italy we were tired but so excited to start our adventure. The Yulo’s arranged for a driver to pick us up and what an experience it was to begin with an authentic Italian driver zooming his way down the “old Appia” and “New Appia” (Appian Way) past catacombs, the Colloseum, huge statues and lots of Smart Cars and mopeds that we were sure we were about to take out any second since we were in a large van tailgating everything in his path.The place where we stayed, The Hotel Genio, was wonderful. It was located around the corner and past two gelaterias to the Piazza Navona 
(which Christina was quick to check out) and a short walk to the Pantheon. Wednesday we went to the Pantheon first. The dome is incredibly impressive… how did they DO that?? There is a hole at the top and water just comes right in when it rains! There are drains but they the size of a masquerade mask and there was only one, so we were glad it was sunny for fear of getting flooded out if it rained. Trevi Fountain was our next stop- and we loved it, it is such a beautiful sculpture! It’s a relatively new addition to the city, having been built in the 1800’s. 
It’s a great place to people 
watch. Legend has it that if you throw a coin in the fountain that you are promised to return to Rome- we definitely tossed in our change! We then found the “best place for Gelato in Rome” right around the corner and licked the fabulous flavors of cognac, pistachio, or banana (which I thought tasted better than the actual items they come from) while perusing a classic scene of farmers selling their goods at a small veggie market. There were elderly women and men vending their best grapes, chestnuts, tomatoes and sundry items. On a side note: Rome is great because you are spending your time mostly outside and if you go in it’s usually into a gorgeous church or a wonderful hotel or restaurant.
(which Christina was quick to check out) and a short walk to the Pantheon. Wednesday we went to the Pantheon first. The dome is incredibly impressive… how did they DO that?? There is a hole at the top and water just comes right in when it rains! There are drains but they the size of a masquerade mask and there was only one, so we were glad it was sunny for fear of getting flooded out if it rained. Trevi Fountain was our next stop- and we loved it, it is such a beautiful sculpture! It’s a relatively new addition to the city, having been built in the 1800’s. 
It’s a great place to people 
watch. Legend has it that if you throw a coin in the fountain that you are promised to return to Rome- we definitely tossed in our change! We then found the “best place for Gelato in Rome” right around the corner and licked the fabulous flavors of cognac, pistachio, or banana (which I thought tasted better than the actual items they come from) while perusing a classic scene of farmers selling their goods at a small veggie market. There were elderly women and men vending their best grapes, chestnuts, tomatoes and sundry items. On a side note: Rome is great because you are spending your time mostly outside and if you go in it’s usually into a gorgeous church or a wonderful hotel or restaurant. The Spanish Steps were also on our agenda for the first day. Or ground zero for tourist as they 
were called on our oft used map of the city. We hiked our way to the top and were greeted with a nice view and another gorgeous church to visit. It was a long day filled with tons of walking up to this point so the Yulo’s decided to head back to the Hotel for a cat nap. Tired though we were, we decided to press on. We found a quiet park with a great view of the city and then toured the Piazza di Poppolo. The Piazza itself was enormous not to mention the huge 2500 year old obelisk from Egypt and four lion fountains at its base. Eventually we trekked home and went out for one of many delicious Italian dinners.
were called on our oft used map of the city. We hiked our way to the top and were greeted with a nice view and another gorgeous church to visit. It was a long day filled with tons of walking up to this point so the Yulo’s decided to head back to the Hotel for a cat nap. Tired though we were, we decided to press on. We found a quiet park with a great view of the city and then toured the Piazza di Poppolo. The Piazza itself was enormous not to mention the huge 2500 year old obelisk from Egypt and four lion fountains at its base. Eventually we trekked home and went out for one of many delicious Italian dinners.Thursday was our day to go to the Vatican. We awoke early to avoid the crowds but that effort was in vain. We soon found out that for some strange reason the Vatican was free today and 
thus the line was already very long, even at 9am. After about an hour wait we finally got in to the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel. Every room was more beautiful than the next. The Map room was an especially mesmerizing surprise. Maps of all of Italy covered both walls of a seemingly endless corridor. And the ceiling was filled with masterpiece upon masterpiece. Truly a room to spend hours in if you had the time and patience.
thus the line was already very long, even at 9am. After about an hour wait we finally got in to the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel. Every room was more beautiful than the next. The Map room was an especially mesmerizing surprise. Maps of all of Italy covered both walls of a seemingly endless corridor. And the ceiling was filled with masterpiece upon masterpiece. Truly a room to spend hours in if you had the time and patience.The Sistine Chapel was amazingly beautiful but a bit frustrating as well since the guards repeatedly yelled for everyone to be quiet and not to take photos. But people continued to talk and use their cameras. It was rude all the way around. Not the scene I was envisioning but still breathtakingly beautiful. It was phenomenal to note the detail that Michelangelo put into every inch of his work. His interpretations of Biblical stories are so dramatic and moving.
The Raphael Rooms were also a highlight. He himself did not paint all of them but they were credited to him as they were completed by his lesser known students. Nice for him but they don’t get any credit. By that point we had very tired feet and it was nearing the end of the day so we decided to come back on Friday for the rest of the Vatican experience: St. Peters Basilica and climbing up to the Cupola.
The Raphael Rooms were also a highlight. He himself did not paint all of them but they were credited to him as they were completed by his lesser known students. Nice for him but they don’t get any credit. By that point we had very tired feet and it was nearing the end of the day so we decided to come back on Friday for the rest of the Vatican experience: St. Peters Basilica and climbing up to the Cupola.
On the way back to the hotel we picked up a huge loaf of bread (as in the size of Christina’s torso), an assortment of cheeses, and a bottle of Chianti. What more do you need right?? What ensued was one of the many highlights from our entire trip. We had wine with cheese and bread on top of our hotel while we watched the sunset over the Vatican. What a romantic city!
Again Friday we woke early to beat the lines at the Vatican and this time 
we were successful. No more free days to create a log jam at the entrances. Saint Peter’s Basilica was ornate, overwhelming and totally gorgeous. We toured the entire church trying to take in all its magnificence. The Pieta was especially wonderful. Christina and I then climbed the Cupola to the top of the Basilica. The journey was tight going round and round spiral stair cases, up over 400 stairs, and through slanted narrow hallways- but we made it and the 360 degree view of the city was well worth the climb. We could see the 7 hills of Rome and beyond!Saturday we went to the Roman Forum which includes the Coliseum. It was there that we were able to more fully realize the type of city Rome was a couple thousand years ago. Some of the ruins were in surprisingly good shape, while others were just seemingly piles of rubble, but the fact that we were walking among buildings that were erected at the time of Christ was fantastic. The “Temple of Romulus” (the founder of Rome) actually still had the originally bronze doors 
intact. At the south end of the Forum lies the awe inspiring Coliseum. It was an incredible structure for that time. It even used to be flooded at times to recreate sea battle scenes! However it was very sad to imagine what took place on the grounds most of the time -so much spectacle and history but yet so much death and cruelty.
intact. At the south end of the Forum lies the awe inspiring Coliseum. It was an incredible structure for that time. It even used to be flooded at times to recreate sea battle scenes! However it was very sad to imagine what took place on the grounds most of the time -so much spectacle and history but yet so much death and cruelty. Saturday night we again had wine with cheese and bread on top of 
our hotel while we watched the sunset behind St. Peter’s Basillica. This time it was Pino Grigio but the result was the same.
Sunday was our day to go to the antique market in Trastavere. It was short tram ride to the south part of the city. Boy was it ever a market. There had to be at least 10,000 people there, probably more. Booths were selling everything from old refrigerator magnets to jewelry to clothes to pet turtles. We found a few scarves for Mom, but that was about all we bought, just SOO much to root
through and take in. The rest of our time was spent trying to stay out of the hot sun and see if we could find an antique or unique olive oil cruet but to no avail. We did find a great pizza place and I got a chance to sample Peroni, the Italian beer with Dad.
our hotel while we watched the sunset behind St. Peter’s Basillica. This time it was Pino Grigio but the result was the same.Sunday was our day to go to the antique market in Trastavere. It was short tram ride to the south part of the city. Boy was it ever a market. There had to be at least 10,000 people there, probably more. Booths were selling everything from old refrigerator magnets to jewelry to clothes to pet turtles. We found a few scarves for Mom, but that was about all we bought, just SOO much to root
through and take in. The rest of our time was spent trying to stay out of the hot sun and see if we could find an antique or unique olive oil cruet but to no avail. We did find a great pizza place and I got a chance to sample Peroni, the Italian beer with Dad.Changing gears…Sunday as you may know was the last day of the Major League Baseball season. You may also know that Christina and her parents are all Mets fans while I am a Phillies fan. The two teams entered the day tied for first place. Now during one of our walks around the city we noticed an 
Irish Pub that advertised showing all MLB games. We stopped by and the manager told us that yes they could show the game but that they might not have enough TVs as they also show all the NFL games. Football is usually more popular than baseball so we understood. But he did tell us to call or stop by and if he could he would put the game on for us. So of course we stopped by and the Phillies game was already on. The Phillies ended up winning the game and the National league East Championship. It was the first game of the season that I was able to watch and I couldn’t have asked for a better result. The Yulo’s and Christina were great about the whole thing. They were sad to see their beloved Mets loose but happy for me and the phightin’ Phils!
Irish Pub that advertised showing all MLB games. We stopped by and the manager told us that yes they could show the game but that they might not have enough TVs as they also show all the NFL games. Football is usually more popular than baseball so we understood. But he did tell us to call or stop by and if he could he would put the game on for us. So of course we stopped by and the Phillies game was already on. The Phillies ended up winning the game and the National league East Championship. It was the first game of the season that I was able to watch and I couldn’t have asked for a better result. The Yulo’s and Christina were great about the whole thing. They were sad to see their beloved Mets loose but happy for me and the phightin’ Phils!Monday the group split up. Christina and I went back to the Roman Forum and the Yulo’s went on a bus tour that included stops at the apian way and catacombs. Our trip was great but it 
included more walking, while the Yulo’s got to enjoy the comforts of a bus. Christina and I visited a wonderful church with an interesting set of tunnels and natural spring beneath the church. We also saw the Boca de Veritas or Mouth of Truth. As legend has it if you stick you hand in the mouth of this giant face and tell a lie your hand will be chomped off. So of course we stuck our hands in and were careful not to tell a lie as a friendly passer by took our picture. It was the last thing that we had wanted to see in the city. We could leave Rome knowing that we had done EVERYTHING we had set out to do. We met up for our last dinner with the Yulo’s and filled each other in on our day’s adventures.
included more walking, while the Yulo’s got to enjoy the comforts of a bus. Christina and I visited a wonderful church with an interesting set of tunnels and natural spring beneath the church. We also saw the Boca de Veritas or Mouth of Truth. As legend has it if you stick you hand in the mouth of this giant face and tell a lie your hand will be chomped off. So of course we stuck our hands in and were careful not to tell a lie as a friendly passer by took our picture. It was the last thing that we had wanted to see in the city. We could leave Rome knowing that we had done EVERYTHING we had set out to do. We met up for our last dinner with the Yulo’s and filled each other in on our day’s adventures.Tuesday was a long day filled with planes trains and automobiles but not exactly in that order. We took a taxi to the airport in Rome, plane to Dublin, bus to the train station, train to Galway and bus to right down the street from our house. It was sad to say goodbye especially after such a great week together. But we all threw coins in Trevi fountain and are all sure to return to Rome to do it all over again!
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