Troopin'

Well, Karen and Dad and I are surviving as quasi-backpackers here in Rome so far. Our hostel has been clean and decent, but because we made reservations so late we’re doing a lot of room switches and I’m separated from the other two. It’s also hard to find a way to charge a computer with sketchy outlets, so we’ll see how much blogging I manage. Life will be easier once we get to Cortona, and then when we hit Belgium I would kiss the ground if I didn’t know what had been on it. For now I’ve got to try to finish booking everything we need. Karen and Dad are doing well, so far they’ve seen the Colosseum, the National Museum, Ostia Antica, and a few other goodies. Karen is fun to go to museums with because she stops and stares at things that Dad and I give a once over and keep going. At one point I asked about the Discus Thrower, and Karen heard “Disco Thrower.” Totally different image! Karen keeps us smiling. Dad has also done well. A young woman with a baby “bumped” into him on the metro and put her hand into his pocket. He did just what he should have: he pulled out her hand with a grip of steel and said quite loudly, “She had her hand in my pocket!” First thing she said: “Baby!” and then some cussing in Italian. The other passengers seemed to sympathize with her and then were stolidly on Dad’s side. Her cover blown, she left. We saw her on another train with her hand in another guy’s pockets later. So we have survived our first fraud attempt.

We also managed to hit the Vatican Museum on an incredibly empty day – thank the Lord. We met a friendly lady from Florida in the hour and a half line who kept us entertained for a little while. It’s interesting to talk to the upper class when you’re doing things like visiting the museum; they assume that you are one of them. She was telling us about taking off her expensive jewelry and switching it out with cheaper stuff to avoid pickpockets and such…Karen and I just kinda looked at each other and smirked. We were already pickpocket-proofed. When we finished the Vatican Museum we hit up Old Bridge for some pre-lunch Gelato. Nom. We did a little shopping and went home after that; travelling sure takes it out of you.

Another Maher tidbit I forgot to add: Whenever we see a wedding or a posing bride and groom, Fr always makes a snide comment about them doing the Litany of the Photos. Even as the bride is walking into the church, she’s got 3 cameras on her, and she stops every two or three steps to pose. It’s rather ridiculous. I guess Italians get married later in life or not at all, so there’s more fuss. Or more money is spent. I don’t know why, but it’s a lot fussier than even US weddings.