Today in Rome it was thirty seven degrees - I remember getting into spa pools that hot!
Clearly it was too hot to be sightseeing so we took the opportunity to visit some nicely air conditioned shops using the 'hop-on-hop-off' tour bus as a double whammy sightseeing/shopping chauffeur service.
After one circuit sitting on top of the double-decker bus, we decided that gelato was called for so stopped off for a small snack Italian style (not much substance but very very tasty - especially in this heat). After some rejuvenation, we got back on board and located the main area for designer shops - while not intending to buy anything (the Euro exchange is pretty scary, to say nothing of how much they actually charge for this stuff!), we decided to do some window shopping and also spend some time wandering around inside air-conditioned shops filled with beautiful things. However, in the second shop that we decided to walk into, we found that we had fluked walking into a 'closing down for relocation' sale. They don't have any advertising banners or sign writing to advertise sales (that would be too naff in this precinct) so it literally was a fluke. The whole experience was pretty cool actually. When we walked in, they closed the door to offer exclusive, personal service. They offered me a seat (it was a menswear shop), then shared exclusive chocolate biscuits while 'getting to know us'. We had seen a pair of shoes in the window which were pretty gorgeous and Brett wanted to try them on. So, the saleslady took him in hand and really did her best to work from the feet up to fit him for a whole new outfit. Meanwhile, I was having a wonderful conversation on world affairs and such with the store manager. We had such a lovely chat for the thirty odd minutes it took for Brett to emerge from the sales pitch (with not only the shoes but also a pair of pants - still, I was
really impressed that he was able to withstand to that degree!) that Max (the manager) has
asked that we send him a postcard from NZ when we get home. He collects caps and postcards
and apparently found me charming - I should point out that he was in his 60's, so Brett isn't too worried. In fact, Brett was pretty chuffed when we got back to the hotel, unpacked our shopping and found that Max had slipped in a free silk tie without mentioning it. We really have found people everywhere to be very friendly and charming, with only the odd exception - odd being the key word, but we'll keep those stories for later.
While we're on the subject of fashion, I forgot to mention the Swiss Guards who guard the
Vatican. They are the soldiers who guard the pope and apparently they are the most highly
trained soldiers in the world. Given that they could probably kill you with an elastic
band, it is not a good idea to laugh at their uniform. However, this is still the original
design of Michelangelo and I think we have found the one thing he wasn't good at - clothing
design!
Tomorrow, regardless of the weather, we will visit the three places that remain on our list;
the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and inside the Colosseum. After that, we head back to
Gaynor and Harry's overnight and then off to Barcelona with them. Italy has been amazing -
especially Rome - we'll definitely have to come back and travel around some more. One of
the really interesting things is the way the old seems to blend with the new. I have put a
picture up of an example of a modern house being built up against an ancient wall. I guess
they figure that if the wall has stood for a couple of thousand years, it will make a pretty
solid foundation wall for your house!
We probably won't post anything tomorrow as we will be in transit, but we'll touch base
again when we are in Barcelona. Ciao again!
Clearly it was too hot to be sightseeing so we took the opportunity to visit some nicely air conditioned shops using the 'hop-on-hop-off' tour bus as a double whammy sightseeing/shopping chauffeur service.
After one circuit sitting on top of the double-decker bus, we decided that gelato was called for so stopped off for a small snack Italian style (not much substance but very very tasty - especially in this heat). After some rejuvenation, we got back on board and located the main area for designer shops - while not intending to buy anything (the Euro exchange is pretty scary, to say nothing of how much they actually charge for this stuff!), we decided to do some window shopping and also spend some time wandering around inside air-conditioned shops filled with beautiful things. However, in the second shop that we decided to walk into, we found that we had fluked walking into a 'closing down for relocation' sale. They don't have any advertising banners or sign writing to advertise sales (that would be too naff in this precinct) so it literally was a fluke. The whole experience was pretty cool actually. When we walked in, they closed the door to offer exclusive, personal service. They offered me a seat (it was a menswear shop), then shared exclusive chocolate biscuits while 'getting to know us'. We had seen a pair of shoes in the window which were pretty gorgeous and Brett wanted to try them on. So, the saleslady took him in hand and really did her best to work from the feet up to fit him for a whole new outfit. Meanwhile, I was having a wonderful conversation on world affairs and such with the store manager. We had such a lovely chat for the thirty odd minutes it took for Brett to emerge from the sales pitch (with not only the shoes but also a pair of pants - still, I was
really impressed that he was able to withstand to that degree!) that Max (the manager) has
asked that we send him a postcard from NZ when we get home. He collects caps and postcards
and apparently found me charming - I should point out that he was in his 60's, so Brett isn't too worried. In fact, Brett was pretty chuffed when we got back to the hotel, unpacked our shopping and found that Max had slipped in a free silk tie without mentioning it. We really have found people everywhere to be very friendly and charming, with only the odd exception - odd being the key word, but we'll keep those stories for later.
While we're on the subject of fashion, I forgot to mention the Swiss Guards who guard the
Vatican. They are the soldiers who guard the pope and apparently they are the most highly
trained soldiers in the world. Given that they could probably kill you with an elastic
band, it is not a good idea to laugh at their uniform. However, this is still the original
design of Michelangelo and I think we have found the one thing he wasn't good at - clothing
design!
Tomorrow, regardless of the weather, we will visit the three places that remain on our list;
the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and inside the Colosseum. After that, we head back to
Gaynor and Harry's overnight and then off to Barcelona with them. Italy has been amazing -
especially Rome - we'll definitely have to come back and travel around some more. One of
the really interesting things is the way the old seems to blend with the new. I have put a
picture up of an example of a modern house being built up against an ancient wall. I guess
they figure that if the wall has stood for a couple of thousand years, it will make a pretty
solid foundation wall for your house!
We probably won't post anything tomorrow as we will be in transit, but we'll touch base
again when we are in Barcelona. Ciao again!
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