And the Winner is....

I've now witnessed every season in Belgium, and in my opinion, the winner is AUTUMN!  I had this fear, with all the rain, that the leaves would stay green and just fall off with no warning.  It has been quite the opposite.  Autumn has been a long season of constant change.  Just when I think the leaves are as pretty as they can possible get, the colors become even deeper and more vibrant.  I traveled with a friend out to Gaasbeek Castle today.  We organize events for ISB parents and hoped this would be a great spot to visit.  It will be...when it's open.  In spite of that, the surrounding grounds were displaying their autumn splendor.  That alone was worth the trip!

Fall (called autumn here) has always been my favorite season, and I'm so happy I don't have to miss out on it living oversees.  Those that follow me on Instagram, have been bombarded with autumn pictures.  And, I've been known to pull the car over to take pictures of trees....just ask my kids.  I can see their eye rolling in the rearview mirror with mumblings of, "She's doing it again..." coming from the backseat.  I don't care! Because in a few short weeks, we will return to all things being GRAY and DARK.  So indulge me while I enjoy the beauty!

Until next time,

Wendy

Day 4...Wrapping it up in Rome

We set out on foot Thursday morning with almost dry shoes and the anticipation of a yummy egg Mcmuffin.  We decided to pass up the free breakfast at the hotel, but in the end found that to be a bad idea.  McDonalds didn't open until 10:00 and didn't serve breakfast...go figure.  The result was four crabby and hungry Vastines.  So, we found a small shop with muffins and coffee, and that had to suffice.  

We saw some commotion at the end of the street and went to check it out.  Turns out it was Trevi Fountain, which we discovered from a different direction.  We made one more wish...that must be SOME wish! 

And, a pass by the Pantheon.  Every time I walk by I think Man, that thing is old!

We've arrived at our destination...Piazza Navona!  This piazza is built on the site of the former Domitian Stadium where the Romans would come to watch their games.  The piazza maintains the shape of the original stadium built in the first century.

Sant'Agnese in Agone is the church located here, and we went in to listen to part of mass on All Saints Day, November 1st! 

The beautiful Fountain of the Four Rivers with an Egyptian obelisk in the middle.

We journeyed over to Campo dè Fiori to visit the market.  While waiting to cross the street, we met a kid from Palatine, IL which is Chris' hometown.  We couldn't believe it!

Enjoying some fruit at the market.

Back to Piazza Navona for lunch.  We had a nice seat for people watching.

There were some ladies looking over the menu and trying to decide if this was where they might like to eat.  This was Allison's nonverbal cue for them.

The beautiful sunshine after a storm rolled through during lunch.  Thankfully, it was short, and we were covered.

Thomas went to use the toilet (not a bathroom here...just a toilet) and came back all Italian looking.  I couldn't help my giggling.

One last stop, we walked up to Piazza del Popolo.  On the way, we passed so much shopping...including the GAP!  No one wanted to stop, but it didn't matter.  We flew Ryan Air, and our carry on luggage was maxed out.  Painful I tell ya!

Piazza del Popolo

I lied...one last stop for Gelato.

Rome was a great city, and we will definitely go back.  Hopefully sooner than later!  Ciao!!!

Until next time,
Wendy

Rome Day 3...Visiting the Really Old Stuff on Halloween!

As I went through these photos after our vacation, I was so disappointed with the shots from this day. It was just one of those dark, dreary, rainy European days that you really don't expect to have in Rome. It was a bummer, but we didn't let it dampen our spirits...Ha..no pun intended!  So, we hopped on the metro and headed to the Colosseum.  As Rick Steeves recommended, we went right on by the Colosseum and headed to Palatine Hill to buy our tickets (combo for Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill) because the line would be shorter.  In fact, there was no line at all.

Visiting Palatine Hill

Trying to earn more gelato! :)

Looking down on a former garden and arena and trying to imagine what life must have been like there so many years ago. 

This is what the very first homes on Palatine Hill looked like.

To get a break from the rain, we stepped into the museum on Palatine Hill.  They had some great pieces housed there from the area. 

Still at Palatine Hill and overlooking the city.  I love the Italian flag way off in the distance.

Exploring the underground corridors.

Happy Halloween!

Heading to the Roman Forum.

This picture was taken at his request.  He came up with the pose.

The site where Caesar's body was burned.

The kids got a great book that shows what the buildings used to look like.  When you lift the page, it has the current picture under it.  They are fascinated by it!  When you see it that way, there really isn't a whole lot left here compared to what it was like.

Original writing from the time of Caesar.

He's not impressed....

The flooring under this statue is original to this building.  But, it used to go up the entire wall, and this building was huge!  It is now only on the floor....said the guide we were trying to follow and go unnoticed.  I'm sure he caught on. :)

On to the Colosseum...

but first we needed some refueling.

We rented video guides, and the kids were thrilled they were iPod touches.  There were audio portions, and then it would switch to videos based on your location in the Colosseum.  Totally worth the extra euro.

I was brave and let a nice young couple take a picture of us.  I NEVER pass the camera to strangers which is why we have so few family shots. 

The rain was really starting to pick up.

So, from the Colosseum, we walked to the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin which is the home to the Bocca della Verità, or the Mouth of Truth.  You may remember this from the movie Roman Holiday.  Legend has it that if you stick your hand in the mouth and tell a lie, your hand will be bitten off.  Check out the terrified look on the little one below.  Maybe if he didn't tell lies he wouldn't be so worried.  I can tell you that he was really, really scared!

You may also be able to see just how wet Thomas is in this picture.  He tripped on the way and landed face down on the wet sidewalk.

From here, we walked back to the Forum and then on to our hotel.  It was a very long walk in pouring rain.  We were soaked to the bone, and I gave up.  We had to head back to the room to dry out a bit.  And, wouldn't you know it...there were no radiators in our room, so I spent the next three hours trying to dry out shoes with a hairdryer.  That was delightful.

Not the Rome you picture.  I finally had to put my camera away.  It was raining too hard.  We were longing for sunny skies!

One last pic of the night with my phone.  We went to dinner just a couple doors from our hotel.  With soggy shoes and dripping coats, it was all the further we wanted to venture out.

Tomorrow is our last day in Rome.  Check back for more adventures!

Until next time,
Wendy