Today we left the hotel around 7 to get to the airport for our 1030 flight to Athens!

We ended up checking our bags to Athens as the other group was checking their bags. Some bags keep getting more puffed up with cool little souvenirs.

Interesting lunch on our flight. A vegan sandwich made with carrot, celery, corn and rockets with a slight sauce. It was like Joey Tribianni eating beef in his trifle. Corn good. Carrots good. Celery good. Rockets good. Just a little odd having it all together on a sandwich. Then dessert was a little bar made with sesame and sugar. All the writing on the packages was in Greek so we needed to ask for explanations from the stewards.

The afternoon got away from us as our flight was delayed a little and traffic was heavy due to Easter being this weekend in Greece. We had some time in the city center to look around and then went to hotel for supper with a walk on the beach at sunset.

Tomorrow we board the cruise ship. We have been told that cell service will be non-existent so probably won’t be able to update blog until Monday night.

Started morning off with a fresh start! Everyone is looking bright and ready for a day of exploring!!

Breakfast at hotel was buffet with croissants, meat, cheese, cereal and juice.

As we drive along in our bus and I see regular Romans riding the bus, I want to stop and ask them if they even realize how awesome and historical this beautiful city is as there is so much to learn and absorb. I wonder if visitors to Canada feel the same when they are see our beautiful prairie, legislative buildings and pics of Justin. Hahaha. Please pick the one piece of irony out of that.

The Vatican. Wow. We saw many beautiful pieces and learned a lot of history of popes and cardinal and Michaengelo. Some jewellery that can only be purchased at the Vatican was viewed and purchased. The peace cross designed by Pope John Paul was very popular even for non-Catholics. Interesting tidbit from this portion was Joe losing a tooth. Literally fell off out of head with a little pull. That’s a first on tour.

The Colosseum was brilliant with its history and legends. Our guide of Danielle shared her frustration with the changing history of the place. How many times did those gladiators actually fight each year? The Roman Forum was another highlight as it showed the different historical levels. These prairie people had a hard time understanding how you build a city on top of a city. It just isn’t done where we come from.

Dinner (deeener) was on our own as the restaurant cancelled so EF paid us to go on our own. Spaghetti, roast beef, gnocchi and fish was all enjoyed. We then had some free time on our own in Piazza Navona (sp?)

Yesterday we walked around 12000 steps. Today was a bit more steps with over 21000 or about 14km. I think we will be ready for bed tonight as we prep for Pompeii.

I didn’t mention yesterday, but we are staying at hotel called Campus X. It is a dormitory for college but there is one building that they rent rooms out. A very casual place that plays modern pop music at breakfast so it doesn’t have typical Italian vibes. It is clean, spacious and good for our purposes.

All is well and everyone is safe and happy!

Best, worst and weirdest part of our day as answered by all of us:

Best; Roman Forum, Colosseum, strawberries, Vatican, spaghetti, carbonara for lunch

Worst: peeing in the trees, walking up the stairs Wedding Cake Building, no fruit at breakfast, chilly weather in morning, bad coffee at one coffee bar, but we have also had wonderful coffee at other places.

Weirdest: Joe losing a tooth, bathroom door having to be held up for others, Layne feeding a bird and gathering a flock, toilet paper shortage in the country of Italy, seeing David and his junk everywhere.

Landed a couple hours late. Laertis, our tour guide, was waiting for us. We arrived and met up with our group from Eston. This will be a fun week with that crew!

We did a little walking tour to see the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and we tried to see the Pantheon, but due to Easter, we will try tomorrow. Gelato, slushies, and pasta have been tried already.

Tomorrow will be a full day so we are going to bed early tonight to try to combat the excited weariness. All is good!

Italian words for the day:

Bonjourno good morning

Caio good day.

Bonsairo. Good evening

“Porfourour”Italians pronounce everything