Meeting up with our Italian family

 After our long flight and no sleep, we have finally made it to our apartment in Rome. There we met up with Alexis and Kylie who arrived earlier than we did. We were all so happy to see each other. I haven’t seen Kylie since she was a little girl and I believe she’s 35 now and I haven’t seen Alexis for about two years, they have traveled from Denver, Colorado . Of course, being Italian and you know we all talk at the same time, we all had so much to say to each other.

The apartment we rented through VRBO was amazing. We all love it. After sleeping there the first night, everyone couldn’t believe how comfortable the beds were. Marble every where and the location is great! 

Tonight our plan was to meet up with our Italian family Maura and Alfredo. We contacted each other and set up a time to meet at 5 o’clock to do some sightseeing and then dinner reservations at 7:30, that’s when a lot of restaurants open. 

They came to the apartment and of course upon meeting we were all talking at once. The Italian kiss was happening to everyone. Then I finally got around to the introductions. Whew, that lasted for awhile. We also gave them our photo albums of our families that we had made and presented them with a bowl that Mike made out of Madrona wood. They loved that very much! 

We all walked to the Piazza del Popolo from our apartment, people and cars everywhere! From the Piazza there is a street that is a mile long lined with beautiful shops and a few little cafes. We haven’t as yet done any shopping but don’t worry we will. 

Next we drove up to this beautiful hill called Janiculuna Hill. It is considered one of the most romantic settings in Italy. It’s also the setting for the battle in which Garibaldi repelled an attack from the French troops. You certainly can see all of Rome. Pictures don’t do it justice. We even saw a photo shoot with a bride and groom !

            This is the statute of Guiseppe  Garibaldi

Ok now the good part! EATING!!!

Oh my what a feast and such a beautiful setting ( sorry no pics of the setting, by this time jet lag was setting in).

But the food was amazing! We just let Maura and Alfredo order. Appetizers, food galore and 4 pizzas! We ate everything except we had a little pizza left. 

Getting to Rome

 Well Nick and I had a little excitement.  Boarded our plane in Seattle with no problems. I said boarded…well we were about 40minutes late taking off, that gave us only 20 minutes to get to our connecting flight which would take us to Rome.  We knew it would be close. Well it was, we were the last 2 people to board. My heart was pounding, don’t if it was because I had to run to the gate or I was scared of missing my flight. 

I was thinking of all the planning that went into this trip,  of course Nick said  I should have allowed us more time. I was also thinking of my sister and her husband who were already on the plane waiting for us.  She and a few other people were clapping as we got to our seats.  Now we’re just sitting back relaxing and watching movies as we fly over the ocean . 

I did get a quick text from Kylie saying they had to run to their connecting flight . That story  when I get to

Rome..

Here are my traveling cohorts. Alexis and Kylie will be arriving in Rome at 8:30 a.m.

Nick, myself my sister and Lial will be arriving at 12:30p.m. 

My son Nick and Myself

 

   My sister Janet and her husband Lial          

My cousin Alexis and her daughter Kylie

 August 13, 2024 -Anacortes, Washington

Several months ago my cousin's wife, Alexis Mazzetta, told me she was headed to Italy this August. Sensing my jealousy, she said, "Do you want to join us?" Since it has been fifteen years since my last visit to Italy, and I'm a person who enjoys travel, I jumped at the chance. I'm please that we will be joined by my son Nick, my sister Janet, her husband Lial and Kylie, my cousin's daughter.

We arrive in Rome on August 30th, where we will visit with some members of our beloved Italian family. Seeing them is a main motivator for the trip, but of course we'll also savor meals, visit museums and churches, take in the scenery, the people, and, of course....SHOP!

Our sixteen days in Italy will start with five days in Rome where we will be visiting and having dinner with the Richotti side of the family (my grandmothers family). A few days later we will be traveling by car, to Nerito, a small village where my father was born, baptized and where he grew up until he immigrated to the states with his family at the age of 10.  We will be visiting and sharing a meal with the Mazzetta family.  We will return to Rome to do all of the sightseeing, shopping and eating that we can handle.  Next we will be taking the train to Florence. After spending two days there we will be renting cars and traveling thru Tuscany. Our plan is to see Sienna, Lucca, Montepulciano, and a day in Cinque Terre. 

Are you tired yet?  We are. Our last night will be in Rome having dinner with family.