Alive and well in Rome

When posting doesn't come easy. It has been a real challenge to find Internet access while in Italy. Sorry family and friends. I did a much better job on my blog while in Newfoundland.

Where I've been . . .
Bologna
Reggio Emilia
Ferrara
Ravenna
Florence
Siena
San Gimignano
Volterra
Rome

It has been an experience. Many things good, some things not so good. What's up with small bathrooms, few and far between toilet seats, and sharing bathrooms. I know . . . spoiled American.

The food has been amazing, sights have been unreal, and fashion . . . people let me tell you we could use a bit more Italian fashion in North America. Wow! New wardrobe is on my next list of things to do.

Our last day in Newfoundland

Packing up, visiting with Dave and Marion, and maybe one more time to Mad Rocks.

Looking forward to seeing my friends and family back home.

Some pictures that I took the other day . . .

Birthday and Jiggs Dinner

Today was a big day for Dave, it was his Birthday! Craig and I decorated the house giving Dave a nice, big surprise for when he woke up. 

I’m not too sure how this is going to work . . . Dave is not a fan of birthdays and didn’t/doesn’t want anyone to know, but I’m posting this on my blog. So, shhhhhh!

Marion made a big jiggs dinner to celebrate . . . that thing that we’re not suppose to talk about, because it’s his all-time favorite meal. For those not familiar with the Newfoundland tradition of jiggs dinner, it includes salt beef, cabbage, potato, carrot, turnip, split pea, roast turkey with dressing and gravy. Not much huh? The salt beef, cabbage, potato, carrot, turnip and split pea are all cooked (peeled and whole) in one pot and boiled with water for several hours. Then the items are removed from the pot and served up separately. The vegetarian who generally stays clear of dairy, had her own mini-jigs pot minus salt beef and it was delicious.

Link to Jigg’s dinner info - http://newfoundland.ws/Newfoundland_Recipes_Cookbook.asp?Recipe_ID=Jiggs_Dinner

Our jiggs dinner was at lunch time, another Newfie-ism, and Marion’s brother Reg and his wife Shirley came over for our feast. It was a wonderful meal and visit. 

To the Swilers Rugby Club in St. Johns

Craig and I watched the Newfoundland/Atlantic Providences rugby team, the Rock, play against the Wolf Pack from Central Canada. Both teams entered the game undefeated and were equally matched; it was a nail biter of a game and ended a home crowd pleaser with the Rock winning. In two weeks the Rock plays against who I don’t know but another Canadian team for the Canadian Championship and it will be televised on CBC (a Canadian broadcasting station).

Link to interviews after the game http://ntv.ca/video/?p=5912

Many of Craig’s former team mates/friends were in the stands watching the game. It was like he was never gone, welcomed back into the fold, picking-up were they left off. Good times were had, with many handshakes, hugs and trips down memory lane, with all too easy smirks, smiles, and laughs. The day will have to hold’em till they meet again.  

Pictures Galore . . .

Craig sizing up a rock wall . . . .

Craig, always the jokester . . . doing his version of yoga up on a cliff.  

An old timer told Craig and Dave a Newfie Joke

This is how the joke went . . .

Back in the day, this young man living in Newfoundland wanted very badly to have his own car. Since he had no money and couldn't find work he left Newfoundland and went to Toronto. He was having a hard time saving up money and finding consistent work. One day he was walking on the side of the road in a remote area and came across a young woman having car troubles. He asked the woman, “What was wrong? “And she replied that she didn't know, but it wasn't working anymore. Much to her relief and gratitude, the young man offered to take a look. After a bit of work, he was able to get the car working again. The woman was so appreciative, she offered him some money for his work, but he wouldn't take it. He was just doing what any Newfoundlander would do, helping someone out in their time of need. Since she fancied him and thought there was a bit of chemistry between them, she went to the tree line and stripped off her clothes laying them on the ground and said, “Take what you want.” So, he took her car. When he made it back to Newfoundland he bumped into an old friend who asked how he got his car. After he told him the story, his friend responded, “I think you made the right choice, because I don’t think the clothes would have fit you.”

The Tickle Trunk, Big Dinner and a Glorious Sunset

Dropped into a kids/souvenir shop in downtown St. Johns.  

Then off to dinner . . . 

On the drive back home I had to stop and take this picture.