Internet on high seas is not good so pictures will follow when I return home, plus all updates on our travels.
Monterotondo
Monterotondo is a sleeper community of Rome. Many commute to and from twice a day to work, either by Train or Bus or Car or Motorbike. It seems most prefer motorbike and car and the roads even in this small town are congested twice a day. Pardon me, it is actually more. Once in the morning and then around 1:00, they return for lunch and then return to work around 4, and then of course coming home in the evening around 7. In other words very congested. Quite different from our first visit when we first got married. It was quiet, no traffic and no congestion.
Visiting our cousins here in Monterotondo is an event we always look forward to. They are infrequent visits, yet, when we get together again, we continue as though no time has passed. We ignore the passage of time and distance and hug each other as old friends do with tears flowing and smiles. From morning to evening, we enjoy tidbits of life we share and miss. We share our lives as though they are intertwined, and in fact they are woven together. Unfortunately time goes by ever so fast and when we realize this, we frown, for shortly we shall part company once again with half smiles and many tears, and embraces we wish not to end, ever.
Dear cousins, no words, no smile, no tear is adequate enough to describe how we feel. We see our children grow and in fact have grown into their own lives . We have such pride for our children and our close relationship. We share more than a love of kinship, more than a friendship, more than a relationship. Our love for each other has no boundaries. We would sacrifice so much for one another without hesitation. It is a rare kind of love we share. One that will never disappear but will grow and be nourished by our life experiences, and by our childrens’ life experiences.
We leave you our love to continue and grow. Forever in our hearts.
My brother and Demetra arrived a day prior to depart for the cruise and we said we would all go out to dinner. We had previously negotiated a contract where we would take entire family out, and it would be our treat. It had to be a contract, legally binding or else there was no way we could accomplish this feat.
Michella arranged all of it. She strategically made a reservations at MOMO’s a local popular spot with Romans , not a place tourist would find easily. An huge old villa formally a Hospital for Mentally Ill I think I am not quite sure. Three floors of dining very stylish and can tell by the patrons, it is an “IN” spot. Men an women dressed to the hilt. Fashion galore around us for sure. Amazes me, that these people do not perspire. Dressed in long sleeve attire and some with jackets or sweaters. It is at least in the mid 90’s F inside with not a hint of a breeze. We sat beside a window and I assure you, there wasn’t. There is no air conditioning nor circulating fans , just menus and napkins to fan yourself. My brother and myself had to excuse ourselves to go to the “baino” at least a couple times to throw some cool water on our faces to revive ourselves from heat stroke. Meanwhile patrons ate drank and were not bothered by the extreme heat. Rosemary’s line, some will recognize it; “don’t think about it.” Thankyou dear wife.
Jeanfranco and Elvira insist to drive us to Citivechio to catch our Cruise Ship. Rosemary final goodbye to her aunt is a fountain of tears. She has Alzheimers and greeted Rosemary daily as if for the first time she saw her since her visit when she was 18. This time it is a little different for when she greeted her and Rosemary said farewell, her aunt commented, “it is the last time I will see you”, hence the tears. It is an emotional parting.
We must get on the road before 1:00 pm or else it will be jammed with people going home for their lunch. Everything closes 1 til 4. Fortunately traffic is light and we near the port and see a mountain of a ship ahead, Celebrity. It is huge all 14 floors of her. A floating hotel. Our cousins want to see Frank, Eugenia, Silvia and Max before they board and happily they are there. They look so tired and hot , fresh from the overseas flight and bus ride from the airport. They have already registered and lines are growing. We must leave our beloved cousins now. As we walk toward the entrance and lineups to register, they turn their heads to watch us and half smiles and nods see us disappear into the crowd.
It is great to see our friends and family that have joined us for our cruise holiday. Frank, Eugenia, Silvia and Max, plus Joe and Vassa , Frank and Demetria, and Diane and Mario. Once inside and settled we agree to meet for a bite then let them rest up for a late dinner. Rosemary and I are now unpacking and her cell phone rings. Jeanfranco and Elvira are in a Bar in Citivechio having a coffee and had to call to tell us they miss us already.
Do you you ever have a time you invite guests over for a dinner or function and then watch the clock and wonder when the evening will end? In this case, when we were together we spent morning to evening together and wondered where the time went.
Ciao Bella Monterotondo.
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