LAS VEGAS

In need of a much deserved break, I am heading to Las Vegas for some sun and a bit of fun. This will kick start my summer. I am not much of a gambler, but I am looking forward, or should I saw listening forward, to the ding, ding, ding sound of the machines. A little bit of relaxation, some suppers with friends, shopping, and who knows what else awaits me.
My suitcase is half full (gotta save room for shopping), tickets are ready, and heading out to start my journey.

With so many fantastic restaurants, it's going to hard to pick which one to go to.  And shows??? which one to see....and how am I going to choose? I am getting exhausted just thinking about it. First thing, I will find a slot machine, order a drink, and listen to the ding, ding, ding of my lucky machine.

CHIVALRY IN ROME

Women walking arm in arm, dogs quietly walking next to their owners, and couples with their arms intertwined walk before and after dinner catching up on the day's news...so part of this city. Out to dinner last night, I watched as the husband served the different courses, cleared the table, poured the drinks, and loaded everything into the dishwasher. Once again, I was stunned.Was my mouth hanging open? I looked at his wife and daughter, but it seemed very normal to them. Where have I been living. Chivalry is not dead in Rome. Can we bottle some of this up? I know a lot of women who would be very interested.

Walking past the Colosseum as it was raining,  there was an awful crash as a young girl driving her motorcycle slid halfway across on the wet cobblestones. As quick as the accident happened, a group of guys rushed out in the street in the middle of the traffic, picked her up and picked up her bike. Checking to see what she had broken, both on her and her bike, they helped her.

STREETS OF ROME

As you walk by the Colosseum, the Forum, the Palatine, and many other historical sites in Rome, in the last few years there have been more and more street vendors trying to sell the latest gadget along with many street performers. I'm not really in need of a sticky substance that you smash on the ground or a scarf (it's actually quite warm out). But, when it rains, the only ones you will find are those trying to sell you umbrellas and if you don't happen to have one at the time, then it's your lucky day because for a few euros you won't get wet.

The street performers though, are quit interesting. I am always surprised at the imagination of some of these people. I saw one act that still has me perplexed.

See doesn't this look weird? I still can't figure out how it's done.

These two boys had get a better look

EASTER TREATS FROM ROME

To say that I stuffed my suitcase full of chocolates is an understatement. Since this wasn't a shopping trip (sales are only in February and August), I picked up a few of their interesting Easter treats to share with my family for Easter weekend. I stuffed my suitcase with chocolate treats and Easter cakes...and I have to say we all loved them.

SCALA SANTA (SAINTLY OR HOLY STAIRS)

Reportedly brought to Rome by St. Helena in the fourth century, these are the stairs that Jesus walked down when Pontius Pilate announced that Jesus would be crucified.

They consist of 28 white marble steps that are encased by wooden steps and are located in a building across from the Basilica of San Giovanni di Laterano. These steps can only be climbed by going up them on your knees. Although I have gone to see these stairs often, this is not something that I have done myself...but it is quite amazing and inspiring watching others do this. As they climb the stairs on their knees, they pray. Once you reach the top, encased, is a piece of the last supper table. Today I spend time watching how many people are doing this. Even if I decided to go up on my knees, it would take me quite a long time because there were so many people. Instead, I decide to go up using the stairs that are located on either side of these saintly stairs which can be climbed up normally.

PALM SUNDAY AT THE VATICAN

Yesterday I had the most amazing experience as I headed to the Vatican for Palm Sunday mass. It is not for the faint of heart as I stood there for four hours, but we'll worth my efforts. So many people and so quiet as everyone listened to what the new pope had to say, but as the mass finished and the new pope made his way through the crowd kissing babies and touching hands, an eruption occurred. All of a sudden flags went up, banners were raised, and the noise level rose a few volumes. People just naturally got excited, pushing past others just to try to get a glimpse or take a picture of the new pope. This did not compare to any concert that I have ever been to. It was a composed excitement...with everything going on, people still stopped to give you a hand or help you take a picture. If there is one word for my experience it would be "generosity". So many different nationalities - not just Italians - who have travelled so far just to catch a glimpse.  If you weren't moved, you had to be made of stone.

Campo de Fiori

My motto is to never get excited for a trip until you are actually on the plane...I swear that no one is going to want to travel with me because if something is going to happen (notice that I didn't say "go wrong"), it will be while you are with me. And, it's a good thing I got a lounge pass for the airports since it came in mighty handy this time, and it's where my trip began. What a stroke of luck I had meeting a gentleman on his way to Germany for work, with whom I was able to talk with about cooking, chefs, and travel. I didn't even notice the hours go by.....and I had a lot of them to wait through. But, a few glasses of wine, good conversation, and something to eat, and I was back on track to have a good trip. So, these pictures from the famous market, Campo de Fiori, located in central Rome starts my adventure.

Here are a few pictures of the market. The vendors are get very excited trying to tell you how good their product is. I did try the oranges which were very, very good.

                   

VENICE CARNIVAL TIME

It's Venice carnival time again!!!And I feel so sad that I am not attending this year. The carnival dates this year are from January 26 to February 12.

Palio Tours puts together a wonderful itinerary with balls, rental of costumes, and hotel packages in Venice. If you need any information regarding the Venice carnival, check out their website for details. Elena Carrea creates an experience like no other. I had an amazing time and will be back some day to experience it again. For now, I will have to relive it in pictures.

http://www.paliotours.com/



Elena, our Palio Tours host



BLUE RODEO

You can't be Canadian and not know who Blue Rodeo are. Celebrating 25 years, they are on a cross Canada tour and luckily our city was one of their stops. I joined two friends (who both believe they are Blue Rodeo's number one fan and have each been to about 25 concerts each) in a night of old favorites as well as some new songs that will be released on their new CD. The audience wanted to dance. The audience wanted to make some noise. But alas...they were tamed by the  center's "security". With gentle and very calm words Jim Cuddy was able to have security be a bit more relaxed and have the audience move closer to the stage...dance...sing...and just scream, if that's what they wanted to do. And they did...

My favorite song is "Cry" and I usually have to wait for the encore for this one. It's a long wait... but it's  worth every second. Jim's voice is like silk....smooth...melodic...has it really been twenty-five years? He doesn't seem to age that much. The songs haven't changed either. If you close your eyes you would think you were listening to one of their CDs....except for the interspersed screams of the girls in the audience.

J. W. ROSSEAU MUSKOKA RESORT AND SPA

This past year I discovered a Marriott resort and spa located in Minett, Ontario nestled in the Muskoka area. It became one of my favourite spots to go to on many weekends. Sometimes I would drive the almost two hours just to sit under an umbrella overlooking Lake Rosseau while I enjoyed an afternoon meal at Cottages, their restaurant.  Located at 1050 Paignton House Road, Minett, Ontario, the resort sits very high up with multi levels that go all the way down to the lake.

I did find it much busier in the summer than winter, but for me the best time of year to see this place at its finest is the fall when the hotel lights up with colours of burnt orange and ruby reds. It's as if someone dropped a beautiful piece of property right in the middle of untouched, natural beauty. For me it doesn't get any better. Just beautiful, calming, and the most relaxing place I have been in a long time.

For anyone interested, the link below does it more justice.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/yqajw-jw-marriott-the-rosseau-muskoka-resort-and-spa/

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Another year has gone by. I got kind of lazy with my posts as the year went by - life is busy sometimes. But, hopefully I can get back into the groove and help give information to those of you who love to travel and like to be informed. I just finished putting away the last of the Christmas reminders for another year. I almost contemplated leaving a tree lit with no decorations in one corner of my rec room. I kind of like it all light up at night - I just thought people would think I was a bit "odd". So, it too went into the box.

I took another trip over to Boston again between Christmas and New Years. I find it so much calmer there than the mad mayhem of Boxing Day here in Canada. We went through Montreal this time, which I thought would be a bit better (and it was and I have to say I loved their airport). They cancelled the flights the day before we left and they cancelled the flights the day after we left. Whewww. We actually made it this time, not without any delays but with fewer than my norm. As seems to be the case with me (and I don't have any idea why...but I truly love Boston and can't imagine it has anything to do with me), no sooner did we get there, and they were calling for a HUGE storm with a lot of snow. In the end only two inches covered the city and most of it melted in the warm weather.

We hit my usual haunts - Fanieul Hall, Quincy Market, Haymarket, Harvard Square and made sure to stop at Mike's Pastry. Once again I indulged in my favourite dessert - cannoli. I will repeat this again and again - These are the BEST!!! And this from an Italian who has had them in Rome, Venice, Paris, Toronto, Montreal, New York, California and at some of the other pastry shops in Boston. I can't even make these as good as they are there. My friend had the Amaretto one that she said was wonderful. This time I came prepared with packaging to transport some of these goodies back to Canada so we could have them for New Years Day. As well, I carefully packed pizzelles which along with the cannolis made the trip all in one piece. So if you want to get a bit of American history and stop and relax for a bit, don't forget to make a stop at Mike's Pasty on Hanover Street in the North End.