Tivoli

I had no idea what to expect today on way to Tivoli.  I'd read things about this place in the past, but really couldn't recall much about it.  Well, I was totally blown away by Tivoli today.  I am without words to describe, and continuing on a common theme, the battery died on my camera.  So, I guess without words or pictures, you'll just have to use your imaginations.  Ok, I did get a few pictures before it died, and I suppose I can come up with a few words. We visited Villa d' Este and Gregoriana.  Villa d' este was full of beautiful landscapes and fountains wherever you turned.  Here's the few pictures from there.








                                             Greta and Maria Grazia


                                            Maria Grazia and Greta

After this first part of trip, we took a break for pizza and glass of wine to prepare for part two.  We moved on to Gregoriana which is one spectacular waterfall after another, and fantastic rock formations and grottoes. This is where camera died after the first few shots.  Probably good, because otherwise, I would have been downloading pictures all night due to the number of amazing shots.  Here's what I got:



These really were just the beginning.  We ended up at this Temple having walked forever mostly straight up and down.


I'm too tired to research and fill you in on all the details of what I saw.  That will be your assignment for the night.  It takes lots of energy to keep up with Maria Grazia.  But, she has dozed off on the couch in front of the TV, so I at least know she is human.  Greta was a treat to have along with us.  I just love listening to her talk.  She would practice her English with me, and I would respond it Italian.  It was a toss up as to which one of us butchered the language worse.  Greta had received another invite to hang out with friends on Sunday, but told us, she preferred doing this trip with us.  She is still working on getting me to stay in Italy.  On way back to Roma, Greta took us to very small medieval village Castel Madama, where she had relatives.  We got out to walk around, and seems like Greta knew everyone we ran into.  She talked local pizzaria into opening their pastry shop so we could make some purchases.  Here's a couple pics of the village.



  Well, probably call it an early night as it is a school night.  Buona notte.

Comments

  1. EmilyRoseApril 18, 2011 at 5:54 AM

    Looks fantastic. I don't think there is enough words to describe what the pictures captured. Beautiful. No wonder you were so tired when we talked.

    ReplyDelete
  2. RoaminForumApril 18, 2011 at 7:28 AM

    Thanks for the landscaping ideas! Will you bookend your east of Rome trip with an Ostia Antica trip to the west? Maria Grazia has a timeless beauty and an incredible smile. You can just see her vivacious spirit emanating through the photo. No wonder you're having so much fun. Great picture of her and Greta! And, I love the umbrella pines. I sure wish they could grow here. Hope your last week of school is a good one, although Maria Grazia is probably your most valuable teacher, and my bet is on that being a lifelong relationship. Abbracci forti.

    ReplyDelete
  3. NicoApril 19, 2011 at 1:45 PM

    Dang Giuseppe, I'm getting hungry here. Can you save me some of that pasta. I did have some ravioli from Glorioso's last night, but it's not Maria Grazia'a
    Nick

    ReplyDelete
  4. NicoApril 19, 2011 at 1:50 PM

    Can you find out what "a futcha doe" (sp) means while your there? My Ma always said it to me when I did something bad.

    One other thing, why arn't I there with you . . . I could help you with your Italian!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Joe PingatoreApril 20, 2011 at 10:11 AM

    Nico, I know I know you, but give me some help here just in case I'm mistaken. Who are you?? Mio cugino??

    ReplyDelete
  6. RoaminForumApril 22, 2011 at 7:50 AM

    Nico, I know the expression... my grandma said it too. It's southern italian dialect. I cannot repeat it here in polite company.

    ReplyDelete
  7. NicoApril 25, 2011 at 8:18 AM

    Giuseppe!! si si mio cugino, Nicola, Nicky P
    What-sa-mata-fo-u

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Learning English

Sorry, no pictures today.  No reason, just are none.  Very fun afternoon.  Went back to same restaurant for lunch as yesterday.  Fettucini ai funghi porcini e un insalata, and of course another pitcher of vino rosso.  Same proprietor from yesterday, and I struck up a conversation with him in Italian.  That always opens the floodgates, and when I told him I'm un avocato (lawyer from America) he quickly introduced me to a local lawyer at next table.  Then introduced me to another couple guys at another table, and they wanted my impression as an American re: Berlusconi.  A bit difficult keeping up, but they appreciated my assessment that Berlusconi was crazy.  Returned home to participate in Maria Grazie's English speaking group.  She teaches English out of this place, and every Wednesday she has a group of about 7 adults show up to talk English, and she leads them in various games and exercises to help with their English.  She asked m...
Read more

La Scuola

Image
Made it through my first day of school.  Managed to escape from the bully who was after my lunch money.  But, I totally botched up my test this morning, and now in with the slow kids.  But, not all bad, and maybe this will allow me to look smarter than I am.  There's only 3 other students in my section: a young girl from Japan who is engaged to an Italian, a young Korean priest, and an older lady from N.Y. (Should be a good joke in here, if we all walk into a bar.)  Had a very relaxing sunday,  My landlady, Maria Grazie, took me on a walking tour of the area. It was about 75 and everyone was outside, so very crowded.  Passed by a few familiar places. Some old building in need of repairs. Pantheon Piazza di Spagna.  Or Spanish Steps.  This is a block from school, and where I sat and had un caffe' this morning. Last night ended with a simple dinner prepared by Maria Grazie  A fritatta pasta, followed by a salad with fresh mozzar...
Read more

Selinunte

Image
I arrived in Selinunte about 2:00.  It is not only when walking that I get lost.  Of course got lost on way here, even though I had a gps unit.  I did end up touring Trapani, out of my way, and not very exciting.  I was also forced to stop at least twice to ask for directions.  Selinunte was a greek colony dating back to about 650 b.c.  I'm staying a nice B&B on the coast called Sicilia Cuore Mio.  Here is the view from my rooftop: View toward the sea.  The same view as out my bedroom doors. View the opposite direction.  The temple of Hera.  It was and is still a rainy day here, so hope to explore more of this tomorrow. Carlo's brother, Gaspare, showed up at 5:00 to show me a couple properties.  These are for Laura, as they most definitely fall into the category of "May require restructuring work." Actually, the plan for this is to use this foundation to erect an essentially new house.  The land is good, and here...
Read more