Roman Thanksgiving 2009

Back In Natchez

2009-12-03T19:59:00.000+01:00

27 hours from Venice hotel to our doorstep; international travel is exhausting. Hurry up and wait is the definition of travel. It was fun, but I would not like to travel like that all the time. Especially when you are herding 18 cats from point to point.

Feeling surprisingly well today. In bed by 1:15 AM and up at 7:45 AM CST. I actually feel like I am back on local time. Saw Janet at Piggly Wiggly; we were all there getting our cornbread dressing fix since we missed Thanksgiving. It's kind of hard getting in the Christmas mood when we skipped Thanksgiving. However, with a chance of snow in the forecast and seeing downtown Natchez decorated, I am starting to warm to the season.

Many pictures taken and many pictures to be posted.

Allen

Arrivederci Time

2009-12-01T18:41:00.000+01:00

Venice is incredible and I can't believe I have to leave so soon. I think there is still some Venetian glass I haven't bought!!!

Diana

Food and drink in Rome

2009-12-01T18:18:00.000+01:00

In most bars the food is warm, not hot and the beer is cool, not cold. At our hotel after 3 days of cool beer Lindy sweet talked our bartender into having us some beer iced downed for the next afternoon, he forgot, so I guess we,ll manage to do as the Romans do.

We're in Venice now. The food is very good and the beer is cold.
This is our last night.
Leave very early tomorrow morning for 25 + hours of travel!

Jack & Janet

Anniversary Dinner

2009-11-30T23:11:00.000+01:00

Beth and I had our 24th anniversary dinner, alone, at a quiet little Venetian restaurant off the beaten path. Multo bene! What a treat to wander the streets of Venice with my bella after a great meal; few tourists out, light rain. Magnifico. Pics of meal to follow soon, but you can tell by the smiles, it was good.
Allen

Sunday Count

2009-11-29T22:40:00.000+01:00

One Burns sister lost.
One wallet lost.

One Burns sister recovered. (Miraculous)
Wallet not recovered. (hold on all cards)

Taste

2009-11-29T22:35:00.001+01:00

I ate and drank all I could of Rome. I can't wait to taste Venice.
Buona Notte
Allen

Blessing from the Pope

2009-11-29T22:33:00.001+01:00

This morning started with mass at a Basilica designed by Michael Angelo then a ride on a public transit bus to Vatican City. Words cannot describe the bus ride that will be forever etched in my memory and my nostrils. Three very full buses passed the stop before Father Brock said "no matter what we're getting on the next one... use your elbows, push, do whatever it takes to get on the bus." We did push and shove our way on to a bus that already looked as though not another body would fit much less the 16 people that were in our group. Let me just say that we were up close and personal with some interesting characters. However, seeing the Pope and receiving a blessing was worth the bus ride from hell! Tomorrow we travel to Venice by train. I am so excited!!!
Beth

Burning through Rome

2009-11-29T18:45:00.000+01:00

Rome is not burning, though my feet are. Padre Brock has had us burning the cobbles all day every day. He has had several surprises for us, but there is a surprise around every corner. I've averaged about 200 pictures a day, and that is with some restraint. Yes, we will have a slideshow or two upon our return.
I don't know where to begin in describing the sights, and I am sure pictures have failed to capture the full effect. As a Catholic Christian, the catacombs, where the early Christians gathered to worship, probably held the most weight to me. That is, until we visited St Peter's grave and saw the container that holds his bones. Truly...I can't find the words for it.
All for now. Time to eat again.
Allen

Andree & Mary Say

2009-11-29T18:34:00.000+01:00

O Mi Dio! What a wonderful city to visit. Other than the Arkansas lost yesterday, the trip has been flawless! Favorite spots have included: (1) Forum; (2) St. Peter's (grave) as well as Basilica; and (3) Catacombs. There must be better food up north...though we have not missed a meal. The drinks certainly are most welcomed in the evening, especially after our long days.

Sure miss toasted bread, ice cubes....and we very much miss Henri and Kobi. I am sure they miss us.....Can't wait to share our adventures. Ciao, Mary & Andree

American food in Rome

2009-11-28T20:47:00.000+01:00

Had another great day in Rome. Went to the Vatican museum and the Sistine chapel. Next to the Spanish Steps, which is the area where the famous designers have their shops, very expensive area. After four days in Rome Father Brock thought we needed somr American food so we went to the Hard
Rock Cafe for cheese burgers and Budweiser. For my good buds at southwest you will be interested to know that over here Budweiser is good for a year, but best if used in 110 days. Anyway we are having very full days. On the road by 8 AM back to hotel at 5 PM. All are more then ready for happy hour.

See everyone soon.

Jack Aubic

Greetings from Lindy

2009-11-28T20:22:00.000+01:00

Wow, today was the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museum and a church with bones of monks and 100
miles of walking. Tomorrow is our last day in Rome then Monday we are off to Venice. Looking forward to getting away from the traffic before I get run over. Miss you all and you are going to be sick of hearing about this trip and looking at pictures. I can just see that glazed over look on your faces now. See ya'll before you know it.

Another Day in Roma

2009-11-28T20:15:00.000+01:00

Father Brock is BRUTAL!!! He has made sure that we don't miss a thing, and our bones and muscles are testifying. I think we have walked a hundred miles so far, but we've seen some incredible sights and have had the added bonus of his knowledge about all this "from this inside." Tomorrow we visit the Pope!

Diana

vatican

2009-11-27T19:06:00.000+01:00

We went to the Vatican today and it was beautiful! I was in awe, just to think of where we were. I am so thankful to have been able to experience this with SOME of my sisters. Father Brock is a hoot! Noreen

Happy Hour

2009-11-26T18:53:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone,
We are at happy hour and it really works, we are all happy but tired. what a wonderful experience here with fr. brock. he is an amazing guide, so full of knowledge and so patient with all 17 of us. I know we will be savoring the memories for years to come. Happy thanksgiving to all.
Mary & Andree

An Incredible Day

2009-11-26T18:46:00.000+01:00

The Basilicas were so beautiful that I am in sensory overload, but the most incredible thing was climbing the Holy Stairs on our knees! My poor knees revolted, but I made it. I had to redeem myself after I weenied out on the catacombs. We walked, rode the bus, walked, rode the subway, and walked some more. My calves were revolting so badly I almost couldn't make it down to happy hour! But I did.

Diana

Thanksgiving Day in Rome

2009-11-26T17:27:00.001+01:00

No turkey for us today! Our lunch on the go was pizza and spinach on chiabata. We visited several amazing basilicas today and even the church which holds the steps that Jesus walked on when he was condemed to death by Pilate. The hightlight of the day was mass in the Catacomb of Callisto. Father Brock explained how Christians in the early church, including Peter and Paul, celebrated mass there. It reminded us how blessed we are to be a part of a beautiful tradition handed down for centuries. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Beth

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T07:04:00.000+01:00

No turkey in Rome. Seen several adds for specialty markets that will import a turkey for you. Non grazie. I'll stick to bread, pasta, and vino. No low carbing on this trip. Getting ready for another day of walking. Yesterday, Wednesday, we walked through ancient Rome. I used to think driving by Dunleith on the way to work was neat; mixing the past and present. Try passing the Colosseum. We don't know old. In the photo we are walking the Via Sacra in ancient Rome.
Allen

A Roman Holiday

2009-11-25T18:50:00.000+01:00

Hello, from Rome! We're having a WONDERFUL time. Fr. Brock is great and is full of interesting information. The weather is perfect, sunny and 63 degrees. Today we saw ancient Rome. It's hard to comprehend our old it all is and how they were able to build what they did.

Love to everybody, Margaret

Hello from Roma!

2009-11-25T18:36:00.000+01:00

Italian food, good wine -- and gelato on every corner. Woo-hoo!

Diana

HELLO

2009-11-25T18:35:00.001+01:00

wE ARE HAVING A WONDERFUL TIME IN ROME! FATHER BROCK IS A GREAT TOUR GUIDE.HE REMINDS ME OF MY DADDY BY REMEMBERING SO MUCH INFO. HAPPY THANKSFIVING TO EVERYONE. NOREEN

2009-11-25T18:25:00.000+01:00

Can't believe the age and beauty of this place. I am so thankful to be here!
GAreat friends, perfect weather, good birra (beer) and spumante!
Unbelievable paintings and statues in the churches we have toured so far.
Janet & Jack Aubic

greetings from Lindy

2009-11-25T18:16:00.000+01:00

we had a wonderful day and now we are enjoying happy hour. You all pop into my mind every now & then. Italy is the place to be.

30 hrs to Rome

2009-11-24T22:52:00.003+01:00

After traveling for over 30 hours; departing Natchez at 6:00 AM Monday and touching down in Rome after 7:00 PM local, we were ready for vino and bed. Details to follow, but will leave with one pic.
Buona Notte.
Allen
BTW - C = Hot and F= Cold

Final Preparations and Itinerary

2009-11-23T03:02:00.004+01:00

OK, Beth is weighing in at 41 pounds and me at 44 with a 50 pound limit. Doesn't leave much room for souvenirs, but we are allowed a whole 40 pounds carry on! That's a lot of cheese. I think we are ready.

We depart Natchez at 6:00 AM for a 8:45 AM flight out of Baton Rouge; 1:00 PM from Dallas; 6:20 PM from Miami; arriving in Madrid at 8:50 AM; departing Madrid at 11:50 AM and finally arriving in Rome at 2:10 PM. All times local, with a 7 hour difference from Natchez to Rome and various layovers. Longest flight 8 hour 30 minutes; Miami to Madrid. Beth is really have a hard time getting her head around the space time continuum thing.
Allen

Roman Lodgings

2009-11-18T20:20:00.002+01:00

Father or should I say Padre Brock has pretty much sworn us to secrecy about the name and where abouts of the hotel in Rome. He doesn't want it swarming with tourists; other tourists, I guess. Anyway, it looks pretty swank, and the location is good.

This looks like it might be the happy hour area; buy a split of wine and enjoy the food. We will gather to eat and drink at the end of the day before going to dinner. Sounds like a good plan to me.

Continental breakfast is also included, though I bet they don't have those giant cinnamon rolls from Holiday Inn Express.

I'll be pleasantly surprised if the rooms really look like this. The magic of photography can often make things appear better than they really are. Time will tell. This is listed as a standard room.

Roman Holiday

2009-11-18T20:05:00.001+01:00

Last March, Fr Brock (retired priest and tour guide extraordinaire) announced he was taking his last group to Rome. Since then, he has softened and hints that he may go again. Still it was an opportunity of a lifetime. Fr Brock studied and (I believe) was ordained in Rome and has since made nearly, annual trips back over the last 40 years or so. He knows the place and has "connections"; thus his trips are very popular and fill up quickly. This group is at maximum capacity of 18 with the youngest checking in at about 44. Still, as that junior member I am very much looking forward to it and know Beth and I may never get another chance like this.

This blog is to let all the travelers share their experiences with those stuck at home during the holidays. I doubt we will have turkey on Thanksgiving.
Allen