Ladri!!!! (Robbed in Rome)

We were Robbed in a train by two very tricky girls, who managed to reach into my dad's pockets (front pockets), pull out a wallet and run out of the metro as the doors closed behind them. We never saw the person that actually robbed him but this little Indian girl was in charge of creating a diversion. After the setback, we stayed got back to the hotel, recovered what we could and set back to the streets of Rome to get back our piece of mind. (However, if I see that girl or her friend, a can of whoop-pah will be unleashed :-p). A little piece of advice for tourists…. Avoid using the metro when you look like a tourist!

Our plan for the day was the Villa Borghese Galleria, its gardens, Spanish steps, zoo, and some architecture in the area.  The Borghese gallery is home to collections of  Bernini, Raphael, Caravaggio, and other probably other important painters and sculptors that I don't know. No photography is allowed here but then again google probably does a better job that I do; however these were probably the highlights:

1. David - Michelangelo

2. Apollo and Dafne - Bernini

3. Canova - Pauline bonaparte

4. Pluto and Prosepina - Bernini

5. David with the head of goliath - Caravaggio

After this I would def suggest taking a ride through the Borghese Park, so you can get a glimpse of all the architecture and the beauty of the whole thing. We took a scenic train ride through the park, but the bicycles would have been more fun (but we needed all of our licenses and my dad no longer had a wallet L)

The coolest thing about Italy was the water fountains: fresh, cold, clean water anywhere and everywhere in Rome which is amazing in the 90 degree weather!

                                                                            

Food: Everything is different from Italian food in America: juices are fresh and bitter, capachinos are extra strong, pizza is delicious, pastas are amazing, paninis are a disappointment, and desserts are amazing.

Ok so after a 9 hour plane ride, robbing, jet lag, and walking all day! Its bed time J

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My high expectations for Italy: 

1. Ricca Vita - Rich Life

2. Buon Cibo- Good food
3. Bella Paese - beautiful country

This is my itinerary: 
Day 1 - Rome and vatican (not on a tour)
Day 2 - Rome and Castillo
Day 3 - Naples
Day 4 - Capri
Day 5 - Rome and vatican
Day 6 - Pisa and Florence
Day 7 - Venice
Day 8 - Milan

From now till tomorrow, my goal is to learn Italian. The only phrases that seem to stick in my mind are

 Do've il bagno? ----- where is the bathroom
Il mio nome e Keerthi! ---- my name is Keerthi
Mi Piace il formaggio ---- I love cheese
Il mio presidente e nero ---- My president is black
Ho fame ---- I'm hungry
come faccio a andare a ---- how do I go to the ?

Italy has had such an impact on our language as well, so I thought it would be interesting to look at the 10 most cultural Italian words that have entered English. In a poll done by Dante Alighieri, these were the words chosen in order: Pizza, cappuccino, Spaghetti, Expresso, Mozzarella, tiramisu, Bravo, Allegro, Lasagne. If it were up to Abhi, guido would be on that list. and if it were up to me, panini (esp the blackened chicken raspberry panini from the food truck park on Howell Mill).

One more day till I'm in italy!! :-)

Ciao!!!!

Viaggiatore - traveler

So starts my preparations for Italy. Spent all day figuring out what to wear in the fashionable cities of Italy; unfortunately, I am sure that my family will stick out like sore thumb with my fathers fanny pack. Unlike the usual trips, this doesn't bother me. I am ready for Italy - solitario viaggiatore