Kirsten Tackles Italy with Spartacus

Just 3 short days after returning to Italy with Jason from Virginia, my girlfriend from high school, Kirsten, flew across the globe to spend time with us. She flew into Rome on Saturday morning, and since Matt was off work all weekend I went to Rome alone and left Jason with his daddy for the weekend. This mama had her first night without baby, and I must admit, I did surprisingly well!

Once I picked up Kirsten in Rome, we took the train to Venice, checked into our hotel and made our way to the Rialto Bridge to watch the sun set on the Grand Canal. It was stunning! We walked around and found a restaurant to dine at, Kirsten got her first taste of Italian pasta and she loved it. We walked the streets of Venice, browsing through the many stores selling beautiful hand made Venetian masks, handmade lace cloth, and so many other beautiful items displayed in these tiny storefronts. Walking through Venice had me in such a happy place. Stopped here and there for a cappuccino, sitting along the canal taking in the beauty of this city and purchasing beautiful Murano glass pieces and masks. We were in no hurry and starting off Kirsten's vacation in Venice was just the best start.

 

We made our way back to Naples, where I was able to cover Jason in kisses (I did miss my baby boy!) The next trip on our agenda was to go to the Amalfi Coast. We drove to the town of Vietri and shopped for all sorts of ceramics. Kirsten bought a gorgeous vase that makes me wish I bought one! After spending two hours walking in and out of shops we make our way to our last shop in Vietri. The store owner asked me if I was cold and put Jason's hood up on his head. It was a nice Spring day but to the Italians it is still cold and are still wearing heavy winter jackets. Speaking my very lose Italian I tell her that it is nice weather to us, and she some how asks if I'm breastfeeding. She takes one look at Kirsten and make comments about her low cut shirt to her friend (both women are probably in their 70's) and the next thing we know Kirsten has these women poking at her boobs. It was hilarious. Italian women, especially grandmothers, are all about feeding you, making sure you are warm, and covering up! Jason definitely got some love from them before we left that store.

Driving along the coast we stop in the town of Amalfi. We grab a pizza for lunch, and I tear pieces off for Jason to eat. He gobbled up my pizza! I tried to give him some baby finger foods after a few pieces of pizza and he was not having it. Give me back my pizza! By the time we had gotten to the town of Amalfi, shops were starting to close up for riposa (1-4pm "nap" time). We did manage to find a store open who let us sample different types of cellos. We tried Watermeloncello, Limoncello Cream, and he was offering us a third cello, but we declined. As much as I love free samples, I feel guilty if I don't buy from them. Back to the car we went and finished our drive down the coast.

The next couple days we shopped the local market, and explored Downtown. I had intentions to stop for lunch at Da Michelle Pizza (where Julia Roberts ate pizza in the movie Eat Pray Love) but by the time we managed to get Downtown the placed was packed with no less than 30 people waiting outside trying to find a seat. The pizza is good, I mean delicious, but I couldn't even find a parking spot let alone the patience to deal with the mob at the front door. So we kept on driving trying to find a local pizza place to go to, of which we found many but no where to park within a short walking distance.  It was starting to get late and we had to go pick Matt up from work soon so we reluctantly went to base to get lunch.

 

Kirsten did get the chance to try pizza at a favorite among the military crowd at a restaurant called Savaris after Jason and I took her to Capua. Capua is a town that houses and awesome amphitheater that is the second largest in Europe (I believe) after the Coliseum in Rome. On our way there we drive past farm land and the road is lined with old bottles waiting for pick up. As I look out the window I see something out of the corner of my eye, slam on my brakes and put the car in park. Kirsten is caught completely off guard she thought I had hit something. Nope! Just picking up a small demijohn off the side of the road. Demijohns are glass containers that Italians use to make wine. There is an abundance of demijohns in Italy, but in the States they can be puchased from Pottery Barn for around $200. I happily put my piece of treasure in the back of the Rav4 and continue on to the arena. I personally love going to this amphitheater because it is cheap and you can walk freely through it, and under it in the underground tunnels. We were bummed to find out that the underground was blocked off for some reason- flooding? But we had the place pretty much to ourselves (you won't ever get the Coliseum to yourself) so it was like we owned the place. This amphitheater is the home of the gladiator Spartacus, so it is only fitting that Jason has pictures taken in "his arena." I just snapped a few pictures with my iPhone and I love how they turned out.

 

I couldn't let Kirsten come all the way to Naples, Italy without taking her to Pompeii. I have been to Pompeii quite a few times in the past two and a half years I have been here, so I was pleasantly surprised to see so much newly opened areas of the archeological site. It was a slow day and a tour guide had approached us and started telling us fascinating information about certain areas, like this is where they would make wine, where they would eat dinner, he picked up a piece of rock and said that it is a pebble of pumice from the explosion in 79 AD which the entire city was covered by. He also pointed out a phallic symbol which are located all throughout the city (I've always looked but never seen them before). By the end of the day Kirsten and I found 3 phallic symbols. Here is an interesting link about the brothels in Pompeii. The tour guide after showing us around for a few minutes asked for money, I wasn't sure if he was a tour guide or a bored employee, but we didn't have any coins on us to buy him a café which made us feel bad. He understood, I guess that is what happens when you give unsolicited information and we try to tell you that you don't have to show us around. Again, great information, glad he did give unsolicited knowledge.

 

 

 After a few hours browsing Pompeii, we headed off to Vietri to comb the beach for sea glass. I love the beach, and I was excited to take Kirsten to my little beach where I just feel happy and content. We snagged a bag of sea glass, that hopefully I will make a mosaic of some kind out of. I can tell Kirsten was feeling what I feel when everything in life just feels right. Surrounded by beautiful landscape, listening to the water rush up onto the beach, and picking up pieces of smooth saltwater polished sea glass. Heaven on Earth.

 

For her last full day in Naples, Kirsten went on a wine tour in Benevento. Jason, Matt and I had a birthday party to attend while she was gone sampling wine and dining on fresh Italian cuisine. This girl, let me tell you, came back with 6 bottles of wine and a can of fresh olive oil! She is definitely going to need a larger suit case! Which she did! That night she packed all of her clothes and souvenirs because the next day we were driving to Rome!

 

Due to my lack of research (and common sense) we arrive in Rome on Sunday, head to the Vatican Museum and are excited to see that there is no line, only to find out that it is closed on Sundays. Major bummer! With the museum closed this meant she couldn't see the Sistine Chapel which I know she really wanted to see. We walk over to St. Peters Square and observe the long line that wraps around the Vatican to enter St. Peter's Basilica. It was starting to rain and the line was just too long. We head over to see the Trevi Fountain which we know is being restored by Fendi, but you can still see the fountain and even walk up to it, but for some reason (maybe because it is Sunday?) the walk way was blocked off and you couldn't get close enough to toss a coin into the waterless fountain. How do we make this day better? We start making our way back to my car which is parked by the Coliseum. Yet another long line in the rain to get in, and we are both starving. So we make way to Matt and I's favorite restaurant down the street. There is a shop that I really wanted to take Kirsten to because it makes me think of here every time I pass it. Guess what? It's closed. I feel like this couldn't have been any worse for a last day in Italy, the trip started out so good! We get to our restaurant, get some yummy yummy food in our bellies and call it a day. I drive Kirsten out to a hotel near the airport, help her with her bags and give her a big hug. Jason and I loved being able to spend time with her and showing her our town. We just wished it had been a better day (any day but Sunday!) to spend with her in Rome. We did have a fantastic time with her here though! Can't wait to see you again Kirsten. Thanks for visiting with us!