Quick wits and creative thinking saved the day!!!!

Yes -- someone mentioned that I took the time to clean up as I went and that Studio B will be waiting for me when I get home. Well, it would be waiting for me under any circumstances, but it will be waiting for me with open arms! I don't know why I took the time to put things away, or found a corner of the table to set aside the things that needed to be put away, and then I did it before I left, except for a few things. 

That didn't take that long, and since everything has a home, it really wasn't a big deal to put things away. It makes it so much easier to work. And I find it very therapeutic and satisfying to tidy up. So while I'm going to enjoy my time here, I can hardly wait to get home and get back to work. I really enjoyed those last couple of weeks, although lots of other things got set aside. The pace will be a bit more relaxed, and I NEED to empty at least one table of unfinished things before the end of the summer! 

For the most part, my travel days are pretty boring. However, yesterday, on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being very dramatic, it was about a 5. Let's just say it could easily have become a ten, except for some quick action! 

DH asked me if I wanted him to drive me to the airport. Hey -- if you are willing to get up early and get me there early, then I'm OK with that. I had a few last-minute things to switch out or throw in the suitcase, and then we were off. 

I haven't flown to the US in a long time, which isn't a big deal - it's just remembering how the airport works in that area. I got my tag for my luggage and put it on and then tried to figure out what was happening in the bag drop area. It was a zoo. Then I realized that there was no single line - it was just small lines in front of each of the drop-off conveyor belts. That was a disaster, as the machines weren't scanning properly and sometimes it worked, and sometimes it didn't. 

People were getting very frustrated and trying multiple times; eventually, it would work, but not always. I was one of the lucky ones. I only had to try twice, and my luggage was accepted. However, the people behind me were getting impatient, and there was no need for that. Just patiently wait your turn, because the more you grumble, the less likely it is to work!

Then I got in the wrong line to get through security. I had to backtrack out and get in the NEXUS line, but that's OK. It was easy to fix. While this process was easy, there were lines at security since only one lane was working. NEXUS was easy, except I ended up in the wrong maze (again!) and had to backtrack. There was no lineup; I just went down the incorrect aisle. 

I had breakfast in a restaurant. Something I don't usually get to do at the airport, but I had left myself lots of time just in case. 

Then I got to the gate. As I was approaching the gate, I spotted this flight attendant, and I had to take a picture. OH - I didn't forward it to myself. From the back, she looked like Barbie. Her waist compared to her hips was so out of proportion. It just didn't look natural, nor did it look comfortable, although her belt wasn't really cutting into her skin. It was just weird. Turns out she was the flight attendant for my flight! 

Margaret joined me at the gate, as we were both on the same flight. The good news of the day is that I got upgraded. I know - I wouldn't usually use my points for a two-hour flight, but I keep missing out on the upgrades on other flights, and so many points were lost at the end of the year, so I take them when I can!!!!

This is the view of my city from the airport. Yep -- I live quite close to the airport, but not close enough or in the area that is directly affected by the noise. Almost all of those highrises are condos or apartments. They are NOT office buildings. It's such a weird city - I believe Mississauga is the seventh largest city in Canada, yet it doesn't have a radio station, a newspaper, or TV. All of that entertainment/communciaton comes from Toronto. We are a suburb of Toronto. It's weird. 

Mississauga skyline from the runway

And then we arrived in Nashville, Tennessee!!! This is my third time here. 

Welcome to Nashville!!!

We decided to take a cab to the hotel rather than Uber. That almost became a terrible mistake. We arrived at the hotel, and I paid the driver with my credit card. We got our luggage and went into the hotel. Margaret was in the process of checking in when I spotted this painting on the wall in the lobby, went to take a picture, and realized I didn't have my phone!!!!! Margaret quickly said the cab was still sitting at the curb, and he was just about to drive away when I ran outside madly flapping my arms to get his attention.  

YES -- when I went to pay him, my phone fell to the floor, and I didn't realize it. Thank god he was still there, and Margaret spun me into action, or it would have been an unpleasant day trying to track that cab driver down. Thank god I like to take a lot of pictures! 

Anyway, since we are in Nashville, there is music-themed art everywhere!!! 

The art in the lobby

The next issue was my hotel room. It appears that I didn't have a reservation. WHAT????? How could that be? Well, I realized after that we were EACH supposed to book our rooms, not just book ourselves into the conference. OH -- I totally missed that part of the email. We have some protocols for other events and don't require us to book our rooms. I think I was busy with the wedding when that email came in, and I totally misread it. Yep - that email came in on June 3, and I totally missed the big BOOK YOUR ROOM button!!!!

OK -- so now what? The hotel still had rooms, but not at the discounted rate. And there is a big price difference. I was happy to pay the difference since it was my fault. We happened to run into our great leader at the time, and she suggested that Margaret and I share a room since the suites are actually very large. I asked, and Margaret said that worked for her - we have roomed together before. So another HUGE thanks to Margaret for saving me some money. 

I am now totally indebted to her this week!!!! I will say that I'm a bit happy about that as I find it totally wasteful that each person has their own room, although I get that people don't like sharing. But seriously --- there are two huge beds, and the bathroom, and then this whole living room space, and there's a door to the bedroom. It works for us, and I'm set up in the living room so I can write the blog without disturbing Margaret!! 

So while that wasn't a total disaster as there were rooms here, it would have cost me a lot of money for that mistake on my part! BUT all is OK and the rest of the day went just fine. Lesson learned -- check all the details of the email for upcoming conferences. 

I walked around a bit in the morning. We met up with others in our group, but they were going shopping. Seriously? I don't need to go to a mall to shop. So I struck off on my own. Shopping is the most boring thing in the entire world, unless you need something, which I do not. 

And it was super hot outside - 31 feeling like 39!!! 

I did some Geocaching and Adventure Lab stuff - of course I did! I spotted this Music City Walk of Fame across the street from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. 

Music City Walk of Fame

And there were a lot of very familiar names along the walk. It was quite fun to read all the names. By the way, we are staying right downtown near the Music City Center, which is where QuiltCon was held in 2019, and a group of eight of us shared an Airbnb. 

Johnny Cash

I spotted a lady wearing this purse and had to stop to ask her where she got it. It's adorable, although I probably would never use it. They were from Pennsylvania, and I think they had bought it at the airport on a previous trip. They did not buy it here. And she had badges on her strap. 

Cute purse for using while in Nashville

I was at "our" restaurant back home a couple of weeks ago when a young lady walked in and sat down near us. She was wearing this gorgeous yet simple pink jacket, and the cut and color looked absolutely amazing on her. I stopped on our way out and complimented her on the jacket. People, even strangers, are extremely flattered and happy when you do that. It's something simple, but it can make someone's day!!! If you see something you really like, don't be shy about stopping them to ask questions about it or give them a compliment. It puts a smile on people's faces!!!!

As I was walking, I spotted this. Hey—if I can't eat donuts while I'm away, why not pancakes? Apparently this is a very famous pancake house, called Pancake Pantry. 

Pancake Pantry

I don't remember the time of day when I passed, but both times, the lineup was insane!!!! I am NOT waiting in a line in the heat to eat pancakes! And our breakfast is included in the room fee (oops - let's not say that too loudly), so I'll eat here. BUT - just for the fun of it, I could run down one morning - it opens at 6 AM. How many tourists could be out at 6 AM? 

The lines were long at the Pancake Pantry.

There is a large old bridge that was converted into a pedestrian bridge, so I decided to walk across it. It's called the John Seiganthaler Pedestrian Bridge and was built in 1909!!!! 

Sign on the pedestrian bridge.

And of course, there was a geocache on the bridge, so I had to get that. I had to use the hint, which is probably the only way I would have found it. There is a LOT of metal on that bridge, and a small magnetic box can be attached to the railings anywhere! 

The geocache

This is the view from the bridge. 

The view from the bridge

I decided to stop for lunch and went to The Diner, which was just down the street from the pancake house. By this time, the sweat was pouring off my face as it was hot outside, and it was the perfect time to stop. I don't know what those fries were spiced with, but they were the best fries I've ever eaten. And everywhere you go, they serve pickles. Good dill pickles!!!! 

So we have a thing about fries at home. I don't eat them, but they came with my sandwich, although I could have substituted them for a salad or green beans if memory serves me correctly. Because they were so good, I had to ask if they were air-fried or fried in oil. They were fried in oil! If they had been air-fried, I might have had to think twice about the air-fryer. But I don't think I'm ever going to change my mind about the need for one at our house. 

The diner is a multi-level restaurant, and if you click on the link above, you can see an aerial view of the area, including its proximity to the bridge. The owner loves all things diner-related, and there were many vintage pictures on the wall that I forgot to photograph before I left. WAIT -- that photo on The Diner's page is a 360-degree photo - just let it play, and it's quite cool to see downtown Nashville. 

I would go back there again!

What other oddities did I spot? Well, if you got cowboy boots, you need to flaunt them. I spotted lots of women wearing cowboy boots with shorts and dresses. I think it would have been very hot to be wearing cowboy boots yesterday. While I had shorts with me, which I changed into, I didn't have open sandals, and my feet were hot. However, we will be inside the hotel for the remainder of our time here, so there was no need to bring them. 

Cowboy boots are very popular items.

And this is a driverless car!!! To use it, you download the Waymo App, and away you go. I'm tempted to do it just for the fun, but I don't think we will have time. Look at the big honking sensors on its roof and the sides. They use an electric Jaguar I-PACE SUV. 

 

The Waymo driverless car

When I first left the others as they went shopping, I happened to walk in front of this Baptist Church, and the daily greeter tried to nab me!!! But I quickly got out of his clutches. It's a huge church, and while he was trying to be very helpful and friendly, I didn't need his help. I had my geocaching app! 

The First Baptist Church

Then I was back at the hotel to get to work. We weren't supposed to work, but what the heck else was I going to do, so I pleaded that I was bored and got put to work. 

There are boxes and boxes of the new PFAFF creative icon sitting in the hallways as they were unpacked and tested. We didn't get a chance to explore the new software features, but we will have that opportunity later today. 

Lots of new sewing and embroidery machines!!!

This conference is all about all new things for Singer and Husqvarna Viking as well, but the icon 3 is the big draw. Today is all about training and education for the staff, and tomorrow is the big day when we see dealers and their staff. 

Then it was back to the room, and I decided I had time to rip out those stitches that I didn't like. I got all three designs ripped out, and I hope to find a few minutes and the proper hoop to restitch them later today. Actually, I only had to remove the stems from the flowers - the actual flowers were fine. 

Ripping out stitches in the hotel room

Then we had some snacks in the hotel dining area, but snacks are not enough for me. I was trying to be very good, so I drank plenty of water at restaurants and tried to eat healthy. I was on my own for dinner and struck out to eat in a place right beside The Diner. The Pancake Pantry is not open in the evening. 

This was quite the place (Champy's) with all the lights, and the food was decent, but dressing on the side, please!!! Thankfully, I asked for that because they brought me two small tubs of dressing. 

Dinner at Champy's

I spotted this on the menu, but I didn't have any!!!!

Sweet stuff at Champy's

And then back to the hotel. OH MY GOD -- the one thing I forgot, and I keep forgetting, is my darn toothbrush. Seriously? I need a dedicated travel bag of toiletries, as I've done this so many times that I don't know why it doesn't register with me. So I had to put my shoes on, and I was getting tired at this point, but I went downstairs, where I got two tubes of toothpaste - I have some in my luggage, but couldn't find it and my very flimsy but serviceable toothbrush. 

Well, it's time to get this edited. Be sure to look back on the post with my upcoming class information. I had said to not send me emails before August 1, but I see some people sent me emails yesterday. So guess what -- send me the emails, and I'll just sort them here, and that is OK. I see that Out of Hand is sold out of the pattern, but if someone calls them, they can order more! I'll send them an email. Be sure to include the class name in the subject line, as it makes it much easier for me to sort them when creating distribution lists. 

I just emailed Out of Hand about the 40 Shades of Grey pattern. If you contact them ASAP, they can place an order from Australia or wherever they buy them, which will be more efficient. If you let them know you want a pattern, they can place an order and get one for you. 

So yesterday was an interesting travel day, and it could have been a total disaster. But thankfully, it all worked out. No one yelled, no one panicked, and all is good!!!

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!

A miracle in the backyard!

I sat at the computer yesterday morning and did some catch-up with email, and I have part of the class information written up! Saturday is still my deadline to publish that information, and I should be OK with that. So much other stuff sitting around the computer that needs to be dealt with -- how does it accumulate so fast? OR am I pulling things out when I see some open space? 

And to answer the question - will Busy Beach be a sew along? It's on my plan (the price is right)  -- just not this year. 

Speaking of sew-alongs, let's hear it one more time for Brenda's quilt. I sent the links to the blog posts to the participants and asked them to mention if I made any goofs, and I did. The tower in the top right is the Calgary Tower, NOT the CN Tower. I was going by memory, and I goofed on this one! That's it—unless something major happens, you will NOT see this quilt on my blog again! LOL

Brenda

I'm happy to report that I accomplished a lot in Studio B as well. It may not look like anything, but it's the little details that will niggle at your brain until you are going mad. As I get older, I need calm and clear and uncluttered in my workspace. So I took some time in the morning and finished off these. 

This was the original sample you saw, but now it has a sparkly bead for an eye. It looks much better. 

Machine embroidery with yarn

Then I had a chance to remake only the bird. My intent was to use up a sample similar to this (the one above). However, as I worked, I realized that this is a perfect example for showcasing the positioning and projection tools on the Husqvarna Viking Designer Epic 3 and the soon-to-be-released (September) PFAFF creative icon 3. So I made another sample with just the bird. 

Another sample with just the bird

Now I have three samples - the original one on top, which has many teaching moments in it, the newly completed one (what I learned!), also with a sparkly bead for an eye, and the sample that I can use to show how to use the projection and placement tools. It's so super easy, but you have to remember to use them properly. 

Three samples

This was my quote in the tea the other day, and I think it's perfect in this situation. 

Quote of the day

I'm glad that that situation happened, although it was frustrating. The project wasn't big, and I learned some valuable lessons and further developed my skills. If I had just winged it and it worked, then I wouldn't have learned so much. Actually, I did set it all up properly the first time, but for whatever reason, I moved the top fabric before I pressed start. That is a big NO-NO after you have placed something! I have no idea what I was thinking. 

Since I liked the eyes on the birds, I decided my spider needed eyes too, and I found some sparkly red beads in my bead stash. So that got done. 

Eyes on the spider!

I had another sample that needed pressing and starching, and that got finished as well, but I realize that I forgot to take a picture, so you'll see that tomorrow. 

I also stitched out the new design for my shirt, and it is very cute. I'm glad I changed the design, but I didn't need another lesson to make that happen! I needed to buy some ribbon for that, and when I was standing looking at the rack and saw the ribbon hanks on sale, I decided to get many colors. Why buy one, when you can buy many? 

LOTS of ribbon to choose from

But amid the commotion, I realized as I was putting my Embellishment Attachment for the EPIC 3 away that I had lost the long, thin threading wire. DRAT!!!! How the heck will I ever find that, and I hate losing bits of anything. However, I got very lucky! As I was sitting at the embroidery machine, I glanced down and saw a line on the floor. To my surprise - it was the wire. 

The missing threader wire

The white on the left is my huge hunk of white fabric for the shirt, and I need to recut the back yoke now that the stitching is done. That was easier than cutting the yoke and embroidering on the smaller piece of fabric. I need to cut that with a clear head, so hopefully I can get it done later today. Everything else is cut out, and I need to get working - the clock is ticking. 

At last - some clear space - calm!

Seeing those empty tables, all the thread bits in the garbage, the threads back in their respective cases, and the tools in their place just makes it so much more inviting to work when the space is like that. I also opened another small table and moved everything from this table (mostly my samples I want to tidy up) and anything on the cutting table I'm not focusing on this week. It all went on the table. I need less clutter!! I don't care how cluttered the tables are - I can easily ignore that - it's my three working spaces that I need clear. 

It was a surreal day yesterday. The smoke from the fires in Northern Ontario was driven our way by the wind. It was DARK in the house, and we had to use the lights in the middle of the day. The sky was totally smoked over, and it reminded me a little bit of being in the twilight in the north in the middle of the night. It's still smoky this morning. But at least the temperature yesterday was pleasant. 

The sky is filled with smoke.

My local library branch is closed for the remainder of the summer while they install a makerspace and new carpet! I wonder where the maker space will go? I had requested a book and had it delivered to the next closest branch, which is about 2 KM away. Since the temperature was pleasant, I decided to walk! 

Guess what? They had a jigsaw puzzle on the go. It was on one of those puzzle boards with the drawers on the sides. Of course, I had to stop. 

A jigsaw puzzle at the library

My super sleuth eyes spotted this piece almost right away. Actually, I put the piece below that in as well. 

I added two pieces

And then I was able to assemble these three pieces together. 

A three-piece random section is now together.

But I learned something valuable. I do NOT like working on that felt surface! I need a hard surface to get the satisfaction of putting the puzzle together. Isn't that weird? Not really, because as I'm listening to the book, Sugar, Fat, Salt by Michael Moss, he talks about the sensations that make us crave more food or hate certain ones, and it's all about the crunch, the texture, and many other things that make us want more. I've got a lot to say about this book, but not today. 

On my way home, I knew there was a geocache in the retaining wall beside a shop. It's very close to my house, and I had attempted to find it several times, but no go. Yesterday seemed like just the perfect day to make that happen. And before you knew it - I found it. 

I had been looking for something ROUND, but the cache was this flat pack! 

A FLAT geocache

And it was stuck literally in the crack of the retaining wall! One more to cross off the list!!!

A clever hiding spot

I really need to get my bicycle in working order (tires just need to be pumped up) because while the walk was fine and only took 40 minutes there and 30 back, I could bike it as well. I found several shortcuts on the way home. 

I was out messing with the pond again. The high temperatures greatly affect the water levels. As I was looking in the pond, guess what I spotted? It's a MIRACLE. We have a whole new mess of BABY FISH!!!!! There must have been about ten—OK, maybe six or seven. And they were all hanging out together, but of course, by the time I got my phone, they had dispersed. But here is one of them. 

A baby fish

And here's another. We also have all kinds of bugs on the surface that make short work of mosquitoes in the backyard. I don't feel so bad about paying $70 for those fish now! I got a great deal on them. 

One more fish and some water bugs

I took the picture of my Vancouver Island puzzle and posted it on Facebook. There are now 239 posts of puzzles by Villager that the group members finished this month! And we are only halfway through.  

I put the puzzle away, and now it's time to work on the next one, which I chose from the pile. I wanted something smaller (500-piece). There was a bag of pieces in the box, and I set them aside. It was only as I was laying out the other pieces that I realized these were the border pieces that someone put in a bag. However, they missed one!!

One border piece escaped.

And when you lay out all the border pieces, it doesn't look like there are a lot! 

The border pieces

But the border is done, and I'm working on the inside. It's a rainbow of butterflies, flowers, and bugs. This is one that I bought at the thrift store. It's a no-name brand I'm not familiar with, and thankfully, only 500 pieces. I've become a puzzle snob in a very short time, and the pieces on this are very thin, and they don't really stick together well. So I'll get it done, and it will go back to the thrift store! The quality is something that you would find at the dollar store. 

Progress on the new puzzle

All is good in my world, and I don't feel stressed one bit. I have my list of projects I want to finish before I leave, and I have three days. I won't get them all done, but the ones planned for today should NOT take a lot of time if I do everything right! We all know how that goes! But I get done what I can, and what I can't? Then I'll do it when I get home. 

I'm also compiling a list of other samples that I want to make based on what I've done this past week. There's always room for one more sample to test a theory, a new technique, or a new thread. 

On that note, I'm off to see Brooke this morning. I am now going to the gym three days a week (two of them completely on my own) and am pretty consistent as long as I am home. It forces me to practice getting up and down from the floor, which is a great skill to have. I may not be super graceful, but I'm doing OK. I'm even contemplating going back to the gym FIVE days a week, but let's start with four days and see what happens. That will be after next week. 

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!

Off the beaten track in Rome

Sadly, this was my last day in Rome. I’ve got everything arranged and checked in for my long flight home tomorrow — well that will be today. I’m writing this the night before, so you have something to read. And then hopefully on Saturday everything will be back to normal - whatever that is. So as you read this, I’ll likely be on one of two planes. DH and I splurged on the fare, so don’t feel sorry for me and the long flights. 

As I’ve mentioned, I love traveling solo because I can do whatever I want, how I want, and spend as much or as little time doing it. 

Please do NOT judge me for what I am about to share with you. It’s MY vacation. And yes — I totally understand that I am in a very ancient city with many cultural things available. I also don’t want to spend my entire time in a queue doing what everyone else is doing. YES - I know you can buy skip the line tickets, but you are still immersed in huge crowds. I hate huge crowds with a passion. 

Here’s what happened. When I went to St. Peter’s Square which isn’t a square, but it’s called a square, I spotted a couple of geocaches on the app. Remember —- you can’t judge - this is my vacation. Well, both of them required taking a picture of something, which I either couldn’t access yesterday or didn’t have with me. 

So after getting things squared away at the hotel reception (booking a car at a ridiculous time in the morning), I was now off to return to Vatican City. And thankfully, the chairs were completely removed and the barricades were open. 

If I had just walked into the square, I would NOT have known this, but I discovered it by reading one of the geocaches. There are 142 pillars in four rows along each side of the semi circle. Many of you have seen them if you’ve been to the square. 

One side of the Colonade in St. Peter’s Square

But - did you know that if you stand on this circle which is the center of the semicircle, that the columns align and the four (one behind the other) look like ONE!!!!!

Center of one side of the Colonade

See how it looks like ONE pillar - the other three are hidden

And for good luck, I did the other side as well. 

The other side

Again, the pillars line up

So many people just walked right by or stood on the circle and took all kinds of pictures of themselves, but didn’t look once at the columns. 

How is this alignment possible? The Colonade of St. Peter’s Square was built between 1656 and 1657 by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. There are 284 pillars in total, with four rows. Each row of columns increases laterally with the one nearest the center having the largest diameter (1.42 M). So when you stand in the middle on those circles, the widest one hides the others. 

It’s pretty amazing and considering when they were built —-I thought the architecture was unique enough to warrant going back to the Vatican City. The circles were behind the barricades yesterday and even though they were just clearing the chairs, they wouldn’t let us into this area. 

One other thing to keep in mind is that Vatican City is an independent sovereign country. In the geocaching world, that means, you can get a virtual badge for finding a geocache within the country. Now that was super exciting and I hadn’t even thought about that until yesterday. I was NOT going home without this virtual badge. 

My virtual badge for Vatican City

And just in case you are interested, I have virtual badges for 13 countries, 11 of the Canadian Provinces/Territories, and 15 of the US states. Not bad considering I’m not a wide traveler 

Do not roll your eyes —- it’s my vacation. I also got a second cache which required taking a picture of yourself in the square with a flag from your country. I happened to have this on my backpack, so I got that one as well. 

Me with my Canada flag in St. Peter’s Square

Trust me — that was way more fun and exciting to me than standing amongst throngs of people lining for hours to visit St. Peter’s Bascilica. 

What was shocking is that so many people do NOT read. The owner of the geocache for the optical illusion, where he tells you exactly where to stand and what to send him in order to get the credit, just didn’t do that. I watched someone yesterday, as the workers were putting the chairs away, to take a picture of the circles. There is even a picturing on the geocache website saying the cache owner will delete their log if they don’t post the correct picture. Sigh….

I debated how to get there - should I walk or should I take the metro? I decided to walk - it was a beautiful morning. And by George - I think I may have finally got the hang of walking with Google Maps. I know - it should be easy, but my brain just didn’t work well with it, but I seem to be OK now. About time —- how many year have I been trying to get the hang of it!!!

A friend of mine saw that I was here and suggested I hit a second hand shop!!! I know —- when in Rome - it’s OK to do things that no one expects you to do. It was only fifteen minutes from Vactican City. Now here’s one more thing about the darn maps. If you look at a paper map, there seems to be a relatively straight line from the train station to Vatican City. Google Maps? It took the scenic route!!!

But it was almost a straight line to the thrift shop. 

The thrift shop

It’s not large, and it’s organized by the type of clothing and then by color!!! I didn’t buy anything, but it was fun to look. No jean jackets in case anyone in my sewing group is going to ask. 

Jeans, but no jackets

Then it was off to catch up with my tour group for the afternoon. It was near a metro station, but I decided to walk since I had time. The station was called Pyramid. I wonder why! This was across the street from the station. It’s called the Pyramid of Cestius built between 18 and 12 BC near Porto San Pablo. 

Pyramid of Cestius

I was a bit early, so I went to find some place to eat and use the WC. This pizza was pretty decent, but I have had better. 

Lunch

Our group was meeting outside the metro and it was clearly indicated on Google Maps. However one person was missing and she came running over a few minutes after we were to start the tour, while her husband waited at the train side of this metro station. No worries —- we all got organized. And they had been waiting at the train for 90 minutes. I get it that it’s a bit unnerving to wait for a tour at a random spot!! I always look twice and when you follow the links on Google Maps —- it took us to the EXACT spot. We were also told to arrive 30 minutes before and when she didn’t spot anyone, maybe she should have started asking questions. But I digress. 

While waiting, I needed the WC again. OH MY GOODNESS —- a self cleaning WC. Well, let’s give this a whirl. I inserted my .50 Euros and the door slide open. 

Self-cleaning WC

Yikes —- as I walked in the floor appeared to move and there was water everywhere. I think the floor sort of floated and as you stepped it sank into the water. Not much, but I bet if you jumped you would have got splashed!!!

The TP was metered out — maximum of ten sheets, but you had to press the button for that to happen. A place to get soap and water and blow dry the hands, although I couldn’t make them work. I think this was one of those things you must experience twice in order to get the full deal!!!! And there was a big yellow button on the side near the door which was a warning that your time was up. 

The self-clean toilet

Fortunately that light didn’t come on while I was in there, but can you imagine if the washing started while you were still inside. Imagine being in a car wash!!!! I had visions!!!! By the way —- the several car washes I’ve seen here look like the ones back home, EXCEPT there is no building around them. 

While I waited for the tour guide, I noticed these two cars in front of me. WAIT —- there were two Fords parked in front. They were the first NA cars I’d seen. Well, NA branded, but definitely not the kind of car we would drive back home. No trucks at all in the city and the cars are small —- well, they range from tiny to small. Although these two do look mid-sized. 

A Ford in Rome

One other thing I’ve noticed is that people YELL - a lot. I didn’t see exactly what happened, but a polizia walked between two cars to get to the metro and some lady (in one of the cars) started yelling her head off at the cop. As I watched, I realized that he parked his car behind hers so she couldn’t get out. Anyway —-she got out of her car and there was a shouting match. The cop let her stew for a while and eventually moved the car. 

I’m sure there was more to that story than met the eye. 

This is one of the gates to the Aurelian Walls which were built between 271 AD and 275 AD. I’m not sure if all the walls are still intact, but we saw miles of the walls as we drove in our bus for our tour. At one point (and perhaps still today), the walls enclose 3,500 acres of land!!!!!

Apparently, you can visit the walls and walk on top of one of the sections. That’s for next time. 

A gate in the Aurelian Walls

The tour I booked was not the traditional Rome tour and it took us to see some very unusual sites. As you know, I’ve been totally fascinated by the aqueducts on my Spanish hikes, so when I saw the opportunity to visit the Roman aqueducts, I was in. We had to drive about 16 miles out of the city. And well, you should know by now, that the traffic here is crazy. It’s rush hour all day, every day!!!!

But it was fascinating to hear the stories and did you know there are two aqueduct lines in these arches? 

Part of the aquaduct system

The aquaducts of Rome

Much of it was destroyed at some point because it was a way for their enemies to cripple the city by cutting off the water supply. Did you know that Trevi Fountain is fed by an aqueduct (Aqua Virgo) Obviously, not this one as it ends abruptly just beyond the left of the first photo. 

It was all super fascinating, but there was also another part to this tour —- catacombs!!!! I have never been to any catacombs and this was my chance. There are 66 catacombs in Rome!!!! Who knew! And apparently, they are not connected to each other. 

This is one of the largest with tunnels running up to 17 KM inside, although only about 12 KMs have been excavated. I’m guessing that is the TOTAL of all tunnels, not the distance from the entrance. We were not allowed to take pictures, but that didn’t stop someone (not from our group, but two people were asked to join our group) from taking a few until I told her it wasn’t allowed. She thought it was just flash photography. Apparently, she doesn’t listen and doesn’t read the signs. 

People are so ignorant or choose to follow their rules. It is a sacred place and you had to cover your knees if you were wearing shorts! Anyway —- no big deal. This picture was in the lobby and we were allowed to take pictures there. 

I cannot begin to describe the catacombs. First, there are no bones left —they were all moved into cemeteries many years ago. The catacombs were first started because it was against the law to bury people within the city. There’s a lot of history here and I believe at one point Christianity was illegal and well —it’s complicated. Christianity was finally tolerated after the Edict of Milan in 313 AD. 

For the most part, the people were not buried with valuables - that tradition started years later. Families were buried together in a room. 

But when you talk about catacombs —- it’s like a bee hive down there. Narrow aisles, niches in the walls on both sides, dark and well — I would NOT want to get lost down there!!!! Apparently the guy (Antonio Bosini) who originally discovered the catacombs in the late 16th century got lost for three days when he first discovered them.!!! There are 40 skylights (now filled in) that lit the place and many oil lamps were found with the dead. 

The thing to remember is that this was the RESTING place as they waited for something better - the resurrection of Jesus. So when we say Rest in Peace, it’s not technically the end. I’m sure I have not explained that well and others may not feel the same way. 

This was our small bus and the guy did a pretty good job despite the horrific traffic!!! 

The final stop on the tour was the Appian Way. This was the first major road in Italy and the first section was completed in 312 BC and its goal was to connect Rome to Brindisi in southeast Italy. Part of the road is cobblestone, which is NEW. One family, who was running out of money made part of the highway a toll highway!!! That has something to do with the Castrum Caetani, but I can’t find all the details. 

These are the rocks from back in the day. It sure reminds me of Pompeii. 

Original stones on the Appian Way

And then we got back to the Pyramid metro station where we were let off. The tour was supposed to last 3 hours, but I think the traffic added at least an hour. I forgot to pack snacks, so I was getting hungry. 

It was about 3 KM to the main train station and I wasn’t even tempted to walk.  I paid 3 Euro and took the metro. Hey —- if you’ve taken the metro in one city- they are all alike. Just find the station you are at - find the one you want to get to. Check the end station, so you know what direction to get on and you are golden. 

The metro

Within a few minutes, I was at the main train station. I noticed that there are NO ads in the cars, unlike in NA where there were ads in the cars back when I took the metro daily in Montreal (1980s). 

NO ADS

Once I exited the metro, I had to find my way out of the train station, but that was easy enough. There is the metro (several lines), the commuter trains, the high speed trains - all converged in one spot, but just keep watching the signs — it’s super easy. 

While this may or may not work for you if you travel solo, but traveling by train and getting a hotel near that central train station is key to getting around. At least that’s what I’ve found. All roads lead to the train station!!!

I was so tired and hungry by this time, I sat in the little sidewalk restaurant just outside the door to my hotel, I didn’t care —- I had a beer and a coke. 

 Then some bruschetta. 

With pasta!!!!

The hotel just dropped off my box breakfast for tomorrow morning so I don’t have to buy expensive food in the airport. Which is good since I’m getting there very early and my flight is at 8 AM. I’ll have loads of time to kill, so I have lots of food to eat. It’ll be a surprise to see what they packed, but the darn thing is heavy!

And that pretty much wraps up my day. It was an amazing dive into history and I have literally just dipped my baby toe in. You could spend the rest of your life understanding the complexities of European history. I learned a lot, had fun with my geocaching and checked out some unusual things that didn’t require lining up in a queue — something I am NOT good at. 

I would definitely come back and I see by Nina’s comment that I also need to get to Florence. I need to get to Germany one year to visit with her!! I keep getting offers from people to travel with them and I have a trip planned for next year already. But MUM’s the word until things get confirmed. Yes — I will be travelling with someone — but that’s OK. 

And on that note, I must get ready for bed. 

Wait — I have a question for you. What kind of traveler are you? Do you open your suitcase and dump everything in the drawers and bathroom and then require lots of repacking time. Or do you put everything back in the suitcase/backpack so the room looks tidy? I’m the tidy one —— when I get into the room, I only unpack what I need that night and the rest stays in the suitcase. So if I needed to pack right now, it would take me 5 minutes!!! Of course, I don’t have tons to pack anyway and it’s all in separate plastic bags (at least what’s in the backpack) so fewer things to pack. 

Have a wonderful day!!!!

Ciao!!!!!