did Jerry Garcia stay here?

Well yesterday was a visit to skeletons made by monks and today it was the catacombs beneath Rome where the dead were buried and the early Christians worshiped.
Prior to that we all went to the local market to buy food and just enjoy Italians buying their food one day at a time. And of course everything was fresh fresh fresh.

 Jessica buying fruit

My wine store

After a great lunch of what we bought in the market, Mary Ann and I took the grand kids to the catacombs, while Jess and Brian went to the Vatican to climb to the top of St Peters and attend Mass.

After that we all met the the Spanish Steps for great antipasto and a last supper with the Tonners Mintier's in Rome. Tomorrow we meet the Pope and then Jessica's family heads to Venice.  We wait here in Rome for our friend Linda's arrival on Thursday and then off to the countryside.. Still no bags for Mary Ann. Tomorrow we buy a new suitcase.

Clothes shopping Day

Well today isn't quite over, but I have some time so thought I would use it to update.  Mary Ann and I clothes shopped for her this morning while the rest of the crew went to the Collesium and the pallentine hills.  We had been there several years back and Mary Ann needed clothes. Found a big Spanish department store that actually had clothes in her size at decent a prices so we bought some. In the same department store we saw the original letter that Galileo  wrote to the Pope declaring Copernicus correct in that the earth revolves around the sun.  Cool. And on the way back actually found couple more clothing items. She is so happy to be out of the clothes she has worn for the last  four days. Still no word on her bag.
Walking back we found the local market near us and they sell everything. Mary Ann found some decent pants there for 5 Euros. I bought 2 liters of good wine for 3 Euros.  Each euro is worth about $1.15 Euros so not a bad deal. Will take the grand kids there tomorrow.
The weather is hot hot hot. When we got back to the apartment, all the electricity was out. Only the emergency lights were on. I texted the superintendent, and he said it couldn't be fixed till tomorrow. That meant no cooking, lights  or toilet as they run on a electricity also.  I of course complained! And somehow he go it back on.what a relief.
We then met the rest of the crew downtown where we went to the Capuchin crypts.  For some reason  these monks have collected old bones and made statues and decorations   out of them.  Very strange. Needed something to drink and snack on, so that is what we did.  Back home to an electrified house and it is nap time. I think Jess and Brian are going out to eat tonight and we are playing with the grand kids.

Lemon ice after seeing the bones.

 Galileo's letter.

Is it only day two?  Woke up around 2 :00 am. Jet Lag  and still no bags. Went shopping while Jessica family went to church in St Peters Square.  They loved it and saw the Pope. I found a couple shirts and underwear. Mary Ann a top. Hot sunny day.
After  all back and forth, Virgin Atlantic tells us that Mary Ann suitcase is in Rome but we have to pick it up. So before supper time Jessica and I head out to the airport to get Mary Ann's bag.  After seeing maybe 4 different people, we go through airport security, and filling out forms, we are told to go to this door with no writing on it , knock, and we will get our bag. But it is my bag and not Mary Ann's. We taxi back to the apartment and I am on the line with Virgin Atlantic when we pull up to the apartment and the rest of the family are waiting outside.  I hand the phone to Mary Ann so the Virgin Atlantic rep can explain to Mary Ann why she has no luggage.  I think the grand kids may have learnt some new words.
Poor Mary Ann.  She is really upset, so tomorrow we go shopping for her. There are no Walmart's here and everything is boutique?  It won't be fun, but who knows when or if Mary Ann's clothes will arrive.  Not the way we planned to spend our time in Rome.

Lunch in the piazza where the Pantheon is. Built in 128 AD and still standing.

Mary Ann and I woke up early for some reason and went grocery shopping while the others caught up on sleep. Great cheeses  and ham and bread as well as fruit with no genetic alterations. Then off to get my SIM card for my phone. New Italian number. Piazza Novena first stop but too touristy for me. Lunch in front of the Pantheon priceless. Then to a beautiful church that isn't even in the tourist books.

That's Patricia kneeling. Next stop was the Victor Emmanuel monument and a splendid church behind it. The Monument afforded great views of the city. Train home and then I took the grandkids out for Gelato. Hope to get different clothes tomorrow.

Ciaone

The adventure has begun.  Started in Atlanta with Virgin Atlantic offering us free round trip ticket anywhere they fly if we would wait.  We said yes,  but they didn't use our tickets so we left on time. What  we discovered in London was that our luggage didn't make it.  We got to Rome and had to run to catch the train into downtown Rome only to be greeted  with a taxi strike.  Thank God for scabs. Made it to the apartment around 11:00 PM. But not so tired that we couldn't go out for late night drinks and desserts with Jessica and Brian.Mary Ann and I showered and washed underwear and to bed .
Mary Ann and I got up early and went grocery shopping at the neighborhood grocery  having  a quiet morning. Till the Tonners wake up

Ciaone
Gary

Group of my Blog followers anxiously awaiting news from the trip

Frodo is off on another adventure

Well the actual trip doesn't start till Tuesday/Thursday, but as a preview to the trip, Michael our Grandson is moving back with his Mom and Dad. We will see him in Rome this Friday.