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When in Rome

I found the perfect spot to share my age and birthday with a calendar at the Vatican Museum. Since we’re in Rome, I opted for Roman Numerals.


We started the day early with a quick breakfast and a Metro ride to Vatican City. We had tickets for a garden tour, so it was nice to get there before the heat descended.

The gardens show off English, French, and Italian styles, with a long history of donated trees, plants, and sculptures. The fountains are always refreshing, but my favorite is home to red-eared turtles, which we spotted swimming and sunning themselves.

Viewing the Sistine Chapel was the one let-down of the day. We jostled down several flights of stairs before being ushered in and pushed to the center of a room with shoulder-to-shoulder people. Guards kept yelling at us to clear the imaginary aisle of the room, moving us toward the center of a packed room. The limited time we had to try and enjoy and reflect on the magnificent art above felt fleeting. We stood together in that tightly packed, stuffy room, trying to appreciate the grandeur, but my instinct to flee took over, and we exited as quickly as possible.

Mike pictured in the Gallery of Geographic Maps. His father hailed from Rome, but immigrated to Argentina after the war.

Mike at the Vatican Museum
Ceiling in the Gallery of Maps

It took another twenty minutes to exit the museum; by then, it was close to three, and we were exhausted.

A quiet sit-down with cold drinks and a shared Margherita pizza steadied the ship. The metro ride back was equally packed, but for that short duration and the welcoming cool air, it all worked well.

We arrived at the hotel with the loveliest surprise: the staff left us a bottle of Prosecco, a pair of glasses, and the nice note below.

I want to share one last thing before we head out to enjoy my birthday dinner and our delicious Prosecco. We ate at the same cafe for lunch and dinner when we arrived in Rome. It’s a stone’s throw from our hotel, so it seemed easier than looking for something else. For the rest of the trip, we’ve tried different places daily. When we returned to our hotel last night, one of the servers recognized me and waved from across the street! Tonight, another server called out to us and waved. I can’t tell you how warm and welcoming it’s been.

52 thoughts on “When in Rome”

    • Thank you, Eliza, and yes, I’ve married a gem, a true Renaissance man as I call him. As for that Beatles charmer, I’ve been humming it for days. Derrick even shared a link. Apparently Paul McCartney wrote it in honor of his dad shortly before his day turned 64.

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  3. Happy Birthday Alys. You are certainly having a wonderful trip. I totally agree with you on the Sistine Chapel. It and a few other precious historic places we have been fortunate enough to visit have been ruined by crowds and feeling rushed. I hope that the other lovely experiences your having will overshadow that visit when you look back.

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  5. Wow! Makes me appreciate the private key tour of the Vatican that much more! When you go again give yourself the gift of that tour as you will be with only 20 people and yiur will be able to open a door with an an ancient key. Happy Birthday again!!!

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  6. Wow! Makes me appreciate the private key tour of the Vatican that much more! When you go again give yourself the gift of that tour as you will be with only 20 people and you will be able to open a door with an an ancient key. Happy Birthday again!!!

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  9. Love the roman numerals and Happy Birthday! Our trip to Italy was two weeks, and it was led by a Catholic tour guide. We had the best of seeing all the churches, the Vatican and the Pope, but no gardens. I guess each tour has its highlights. How nice that those servers were so friendly. Maybe you can sneak another lunch in before you leave. Have fun.

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  10. I don’t know how you are both not overwhelmed by it all. What an impressive tour and I like the turtles too. I remember 64, I think? :) What a great way to celebrate so much at one time. I’m too claustrophobic to be in a packed group so I’d have to pass on that one. Keep having joyous moments. Happy Birthday, Kiddo. :)

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    • Thank you once again for your lovely birthday wishes, Marlene. I don’t like crowds either, and find it can often bring out people’s less desirable qualities. I’m glad we started with the gardens, and that several of the lesser-known exhibits were lightly attended. I would have planned if I had known. xo

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  12. Happy Birthday again! I have never made it to Rome but I’m way too claustrophobic to be squeezed in like that! Glad you made it out to pizza and cool drinks, best way to decompress. So sweet to get a surprise gift from the staff and so glad all the servers have been so friendly-you and Mike are so sweet, though. Doesn’t surprise me at all

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  15. What a fabulous way to celebrate your birthday Alys! Many Happy Returns! 🤗 I know how itcan be at tourist spots… I took my parents to see the famous Neuschwanstein castle in Bavaria years ago (the one used as model for the Disney castle) and it was the same. Hours of queues, and then being rushed through with barely a moment to take it all in. But you have seen that masterpiece in real life now and can imagine perhaps how it must have been so celebrated when it was new and the paint was still fresh. 😉 I envy you those Italian pizzas… they just taste different here as they have been adapted to local taste I suppose. I wonder what other adventures lie ahead. Or if this is the last stage of your travels. Take care and have fun!

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    • Thank you, Cathy! It seems this experience of overcrowding has become common place. I wish they would limit the availably so that everyone could enjoy it and a more reasonable pace. Ah well. I’m having an amazing time, and we’ve seen so many wondrous, beautiful, comical, clever, and historic representations of this beautiful country to last a lifetime.

      As for the pizza, the same is true in the States. Here the crust is thin and crispy with a delicious sauce and light cheese. At home they’re heavier, greasier from too much cheese, and not as crisp. I’m glad I got to experience the original recipe.

      We have one more full day in Rome, then we start the long travel home early Thursday. It’s been an incredible holiday. Thanks for the love.

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  16. Happy Birthday Alys – what a way to celebrate!
    I must admit to avoiding anywhere likely to attract loads of tourists – we’re not far from Cornwall for instance but choose our time to go there otherwise the roads are jammed solid and everywhere is heaving with humanity. I was born and bred in London but the last time I visited a friend who still lives there we went to the Natural History Museum and, although it is a fabulous place, we spent most of the time in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibit for which you had to buy tickets so it was lovely and peaceful in that bit.
    I hope you have been checking out the Roman mosaics for me – I thought I might run up a replica or two once I get a bit more experience 🤣

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    • Thank you, Lynn. My Aunt Alys lived in London during her late years. I was last there in 2008 for her memorial service. I think all big cities are experiencing much the same thing. We used to love going to San Francisco, but it feels like too much effort these days.

      Funny you should mention the Roman mosaics, as I’ve thought of you every time I saw one. Those tiny pieces, cut and crafted to look like images are amazing.

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  19. Sounds and looks like a fabulous trip Alys. I love the birthday code! and the sweetness of the locals is wonderful. So glad you are enjoying yourselves!

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  20. Happy ‘Beatles’ Birthday, dear Alys!!🎶 Such a special adventure filled with so many memories!! So very sweet of you to share your trip with us in real time! 
    It’s so lovely that we forever remember the small gestures of the restaurant staff. On one adventure, the small German town of Bacharach, on the River Rhein, was our home base for a week as we explored the castles and vineyards. We frequented a little Turkish restaurant near our hotel. On the very last day, as we walked to the train, the owner saw us leaving and came out wish us safe travels. We still talk about that little restaurant and his kindness! Wishing you safe travels as you make your way home!
    🩷Dawn

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  22. How lovely to be treated with such lovely birthday wishes and the kind of amenities that let you know they’ve taken note of your special occasion travel to Rome. A vacation of a lifetime! I’ve heard so many others comment on how hard it is to navigate the Sistine Chapel, and I guess that’s just inevitable. Regardless of the crowd and limited time to enjoy, what a wonderful thing to be able to say you’ve been there! 😉

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  24. Aw, too bad it was so crowded when you went. I don’t blame you for wanting to leave, I would too. It’s all quite decadent isn’t it. For some reason, I think a church should be more austere, because all is given to the community or congregation, but that’s certainly not the vibe at the Vatican. But as you know, I follow no religion, so what do I really know. Anyways, what a grande Birthday! I do have some thing to mail, but as usual, it’s fashionable late :D

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