Rome and back home

Picnic in Claudia's room
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The disembarkation off the ship was so fast and easy, Princess really knows how to do it.  We waited only a few minutes for our car to take us to the Marriott Courtyard, Rome Airport, aka, Marriott Hell.

We arrived about 10:30, too early for check-in, that's okay.  We waited on line for about 20 minutes in the chaotic lobby, only to find out that we were in the check-out line, not the check-in line.  No signs anywhere, lots of people sitting around waiting to check-in and out, but no signs, and no one volunteering any information.  We finally got to the counter and spoke to a very sweet young girl, with very poor English and she told us our rooms would be ready by 11:00.  Not bad, we thought.  People kept coming in, we kept checking back with her, by after 1:00 when most of the people that came in after us had gone to their rooms, we finally got two rooms.  Claudia had to change rooms, they lost her luggage, we were all exhausted and ready to sleep.

Home Sweet Home
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Next morning, we were all rested and took the shuttle bus into Rome (no free rides here, it was 28 euros each round trip).  We were determined to find the Harley Davidson dealer to find our favorite waitress, and good friend, Sue, a t-shirt for her husband.  After a 20 minute walk, 3 stops at hotels and one stop at a tobacco shop, we found it.  Now, I might add here that in Florence we passed a shop that sold Harley shirts, it was closed, with a little post it note saying it was closed, be back soon.  A few days later, determined to find the shirt, we walked back to the shop, same note, still closed.  So we finally have the shirt in hand.  Yeah!!

Leaving the hotel at 5:45 am
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We found a beautiful restaurant on the Via Veneto, across from the American Embassy, and had our final lunch in Rome.  It was perfect, the restaurant was really a glass enclosed room, right on the sidewalk, with a full view of everything, but no noise.  We were the only ones in the room, so it was peaceful, quiet and delicious.  We had a little toast, a great meal, and our last wonderful Italian cappucino.  Headed up the road to the Villa Borghese where we wondered through the beautiful gardens and stopped by the lake.  Down the Spanish steps, one quick gelato and back to the hotel.

To give you an idea how much we didn't like our hotel, we decided they wouldn't get another penny of our money.  We walked to a supermercato and bought some snacks and had a picnic in Claudia's room.  Just like so many of our home cooked meals, we enjoyed salami and cheese, with olives, bread, and of course chocolate for dessert.  We drank champagne and laughed about so many things, including the drop in the stock market.  Must have been the champagne!

Up at 4 in the morning, Jim walked to the lobby to get coffee and I asked him to get a copy of our bill.  He decided to be efficient and checked both Claudia and us out.  Little did he know that when they check you out, they deactivate the key that turns on the lights in the room.  Poor Claudia was in the shower again and had no idea what happened!!!  When she called the front desk, they wouldn't believe her that the lights were out.

Off to the airport, Rome to Madrid, Madrid to Chicago, Chicago to San Jose.  Of course we were delayed in Chicago for rain, I've never left that airport on time, but we arrived safe and sound at Bonnet Way at 10:30 PM.  We think we traveled for 26 hours straight.

All in all, a fabulous trip.  We all met today and had lunch at the Wine Cellar, exactly where we started 6 weeks ago today.

Hope you've all enjoyed our stories, sorry I couldn't link in the photos, but I think I've sent them to most of you.  If I missed you and you want to see the pictures, let me know.

Ciao.