When in Rome...

As Riana and Esther have mentioned - the driving is scary. (Bek has nearly died a few times) Our tour guide yesterday told us how you should cross the road in Italy: 1st step is to 'show no fear' - and don't look them in the eye. 2nd step - "close your eyes, and walk". It's worked for us so far. So our tour started yesterday morning at an unrespectable hour - 5.45am was the wakeup call. Our tour guide, Ciro (pronounced Chiro, or Papa as we affectionately call him) is very lovely and takes care of us. We are 'the family' or 'my children'. Our driver is Guiseppe (ok, not entirely sure on the spelling here - it's Joesph in English) is also very nice, although shy, whenever the bus stops they both get out and stand at the doors reaching out with their hands to help the ladies down from the bus. Could so get used to that. They also hold open doors for us, which we like. Take notes, lads. Our tour started early, we were told, because the Sistine chapel was to close at 10am (for some offical popal thing) and Papa didn't want us to miss out. And we didn't. We saw the Vatican - some impressive wallage and paintage there. We didn't see the big man in white, but the chapel more than made up for it. We loved hearing all the history of Michelangelo, but it was a little depressing. The art, however, was so spectacular - there is nothing quite like it. You could have just laid back on the floor and stared up at it for hours on end - if not for the Japanese tourists who apparently will 'walk on your heads' in their hurry to get somewhere.

We went next to see St Peter's Cathedral - the Catholics sure know how to make their churches! Every single one we have seen (and we've seen a lot) has been utterly amazing. This one, however, takes the fanstastically decorated cake. It was very beautiful, and absolutely huge. Words don't quite cut it. What was also incredible was the Coloseum, which we saw next. So amazing - 3 concentric circles of brilliant architecture. The pictures don't do it justice. Inside we reheard all the history, and the arena was extraordinary - huge. (We're running out of adjectives for today) We also saw the Roman Forum - and where Julius Caeser was cremated, which was pretty cool. So much of the architecture remains - pretty amazing when you think about it.

After siesta (that's right, siesta) we piled back on the bus to go and see a little of Rome by night. That's where things got... interesting. We saw the Spanish steps (all 136 of them, although Papa says there are 138) and the Trevi fountain (1 coin over your left shoulder for a wish, 2 for returning to Rome, and 3 for divorce) and then went to dinner. Here we met our waiter, (and remember to roll your r's when you say this) his name is Frrrrrrrrrancesco. From Rrrrrrome. He was very charming, very cute, and he used it well. He charmed all of the girls in our group, including our new friend Bronwyn, whom he serenaded at dessert. (By the way, it was a 5 course meal - the only way to eat in Italy, apparently. Papa Ciro says there are no such things as diets in Italy - we were stuffed!) After dessert, Francesco charmed us all again by handing each lady a rose and a kiss on the cheek. The room was very warm at this point. Note: the reason for the look on my face in this photo was Bek was pretending to take a long time to take the photo, and saying 'hold it, hold it' while he was kissing my cheek. (mmmmmmmmmwah!) So don't judge. It was a fanstastic evening, but Papa would not let us take Francesco back with us on the bus. :( On the bus we asked him what we were doing tomorrow (whilst holding our roses and leftover wine, and giggling like the girls we are) and he said, 'Oh, my girls want to know what we are adoing tomorrow. Well, tomorrow Papa take you to the church to ask for the forgiveness.' So funny! We still have our roses. :)

Today was a little less blush-worthy, with a visit to a couple of amazing Gothic style churches in Orveto (we have left Rome to visit the Tuscany region) which had a unique (unique up on it) pattern of stripes, using 2 different colours of stone. Very interesting. We arrived in Siena in the afternoon and to our hotel - we have a proper shower this time!). We then went out, and Papa dropp-ed us off to have a look around the city. We did a lot of shopping (now have to repack my suitcase) and discovered that Tuscany is as beautiful as you think it is before you go. Everything you imagined or saw on tv or pictures of Italy - it's all in Tuscany. The little alleyways, the flowing green ivy plants on the walls, little shops, rooftops seen over walls - everything. Amazing. We love it. So tonight, a little relaxing (can't have kisses and roses every night, you know!) and some sleep. Side note: most of the men here seem to be very charming and gentlemanly, not just on the tour. :)

Love,
Bek and Bella

No embarrassing moments for today - sorry folks. There's always tomorrow.