When in Rome

Monday was a sad day as I did not wish to say goodbye to the Cesar Augustus or Capri. 

While waiting for the shuttle to the harbor this little gem pulled up. All taxis have the little canopy over them, but they are newer vehicles. All I can do is daydream of what Capri must have been like when this baby was new! 

Shuttles, ferries, cars, plains and taxis consumed Monday with travel to Rome. I hadn't wished to spend much time in Rome when planning as it seemed large city-ish, but it was a mandatory stop to see my cousin Darcy, his beautiful wife Valentina and to meet their bambina, Sophie who is the newest member of the family. She is just a few weeks shy of her first birthday. I was so giddy to see them! 

Then we arrived in Rome.

Oh.

My.

Dear.

I wanted to stay and soak it up! It was beyond magical! I took this photo not knowing I'd be looking down on it shortly.

View from the hotel window. That is the vine covered canopy I had just seen from the cobblestone streets when exiting the taxi.

We rushed to get ready for dinner with the Roman family so we could spend a little time waking through town.

Yup, this is real life.

This little store was an A.D.D. child's heaven with all of the colors of glass.

Secret alleyways 

The piazza was unreal!

This guy was playing "What a Wonderful World", my favorite! So fitting for this moment.

Crossing the river. The walkways below were crammed full of vendors, bars and restaurants. Made me wish I had time to linger and look! 

This restaurant had shelves of books to read! Yeah, seriously.

Such a fun restaurant! It was a bit touristy, but a good time and good food!

Our restaurant was on the left.

The restaurant across the way.

But the best part of Rome...

Sophie! (& her momma, Valentina)

Sophie and her papa, my cousin Darcy. She wasn't too keen on me holding her, but we shared a few laughs. 

My dear friend Bruna is from Sicily and insisted I see the Colosseum at night. I am so glad I listened to her! 

Lower right is a group of young people circled around and singing. Made this moment so surreal! 

To be here and know what a part of history this is was breathtaking. I am so blessed to be able to see this beauty around the world.

This isn't the best picture, but it is one of my favorite memories. There are cats every where in Italy, but they aren't all too friendly. This cat was the friendliest cat I encountered the entire trip. I sat and pet her while she soaked it up.

I was petting at cat.

At the coliseum.

In Rome.

How can this be real?!?

And with that it's time for some sleep. 

Goodnight, my brief night in Rome!

Explorations of Ana Capri

Being up so late for the wedding was a perfect reason to sleep in on Sunday morning, followed by a mellow day. 

The elevator in the Cesar August was so fun! It felt like a step back in time.

The elevator door and front lobby.

How awesome are these wooden benches? I'd never get up, permanent nap spot!

I laid here most of the day...

My view

After I warmed myself with such horrible views, lunch was had to fuel an afternoon stroll through town. 

I should have stood in front of these doors for size reference, they were probably double the size of a normal door!

These alley ways all have street names as it is given as a person's address.

I felt like such a creeper here, but there were THE cutest little kids playing here, completely engrossed in their activities. Of course the other boy ran off as I was about to snap away.

The art walk was happening through town and the front door of Casa Rosa was open! Turns out it's a museum! 

A retired American man who had been in the war built the building and adorned it in such a quirky, artsy fashion. 

These are recovered statues from a local grotto from hundreds of years ago. Amazing how much detail could still be seen even after so many years under the sea. Imagine rowing into that grotto and seeing such amazing works of art!

Casa Rosa was about three stories with several rooms adorned with art. The stairs ultimately led to the rooftop, providing beautiful 360 degrees views. I heard a woman talking and looked down to see it was a little old woman in her house dress speaking to her cat while gardening away. So stinking cute!

I told you, time machines!!

View of the sea, complete with old lookout towers to the right.

That home up on the hill to the right completely captivated me with it's beautiful purple Bouganvilla.  And seriously, these clouds? {big sigh}

All part of the roof! My heart is in heaven!

Even the floor was pretty! I want to live here.

View of the courtyard descending the stairs.

Courtyard. If I go missing, you will know where I have decided to squat on Capri.

I'll stand real still and just pretend to be a statue. 

View of the Capri harbor and the mainland of Italy from the hotel's cocktail hour.

A little happy hour was had enjoying the views as well as appreciating the flowers.

Another for Nana taken on the art walk en route to dinner. There was a little Italian boy about 4 years old who saw a hand carved giraffe statue and he turned to his mother in awe and said, "giraffe es bellisima, mama!" It was the sweetest thing, from the mouth of a babe!

Walking to dinner at L'Angolo the restaurant next to the church.
I inquired if they had gluten free pasta and the owner, who was the ony waiter as well (& his wife did all the cooking, while his children tended to the needs of the tables), said something about it depended on what the store had. About 3 minutes later he comes from the direction of the piazza with a plate of dried spaghetti noodles, asking if "spaghetti ok?" He had ran to the store for my gluten free pasta! Talk about service! I wasn't even sure if I was wanting pasta that night, but after that I was obligated!