Wed-Thu Nov 22-23
We took a trip to Rome. My oldest son had suggested this early this year. He and his wife, her parents, and my younger son were all there, which was really special for me. Since my sons live in different states, I don’t get to see them both together as often as I’d like, but to be spend the time not only together, but together back in Italy was great. Last time we were all there, they were kids. This time they were well-seasoned adults, so the experience was much more enjoyable. The oldest son left a week earlier. He and his wife went to Paris, then Croatia where his father-in-law’s family was from, then they joined us in Rome on Monday.

But my youngest son, my wife and I left Wed Nov 22 around 3pm on a direct flight from LAX to Rome on ITA, the rebranded Alitalia airways.

We landed 12 hours and 9 time zones later on Thur around midday. This was my first time traveling to Italy with an Italian passport, so I was able to breeze through entrance. My wife and son, not as quickly.

From Fiumicino airport, we took the direct train to the central Termini station where the plan was to get a taxi to the hotel. However, the taxi app wouldn’t connect with google maps, so, unable to call for a cab, we had to hump our luggage about a mile and a half through the crowded streets. Not cool. But we arrived at our hotel around 3ish and got settled in. Our hotel was pretty minimal, but the room was comfortable enough and the bed, which was listed as queen-sized, seemed a bit larger than the normal queen and was reasonably comfortable.

My son Sam, on the other hand, got the swingin’ bachelor pad..

and yes, that is, as a matter of fact, a round bed.

We then went out to see a few of the sights close by. We were right across from several government buildings:

The Palazzo Chigi (key-jee) which is the official residence of the prime minister, but they don’t actually live in the building, like our president would live in the white house.

Right in front of the residence is the Piazza Colonna, where the Column of Marcus Aurelius has stood since 193 AD. It tells the story, in relief, of the Marcomannic wars.

To the west of the Palazzo Chigi is the Palazzo Montecitorio, the seat of the lower house of the Italian parliament. It was originally designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

There is a huge Egyptian obelisk in the square in front of it that was brought to Rome in 10 BC.

Then we went to the Palazzo Quirinale, the President’s residence.

Don’t ask me what the particular roles of prime minister and president are… I’m not sure. Even after I looked it up, I’m not sure. But Italy has one of each.

Then, as we were headed over to see our former co-worker, Lucia, we stopped and got a gelato.

After that we went to Lucia’s law firm, Akran IP where we checked in with her and met her colleagues.

Then we headed over to eat at Roscioli.

It was thanksgiving, and there were a bunch of Americans in the line waiting to get in, so we wished them all a happy thanksgiving. By the time we got our food, the conversation was dragging since we had now been up for about 30 hours.

We walked back to the hotel and fell asleep for 12 hours.