Catch up time ... so much to tell, so little time!

Title photo...Trajan's Column near the Roman Forum

Mama mia!  Yes that's then name of a Broadway musical, but it best describes my time thus far in Italy with fellow trampathoner Bob.  I knew this adventure was going to be good because it all started with a great authentic Spanish meal in New Jersey after my family picked me up from the Newark airport almost two weeks ago. Bob and I are driving back from Sorrento to Naples early tomorrow morning to catch a train to Florence and it's late here and I have yet to pack.  I'm using our pensione's (Il Roseta) PC to finally load some photos onto the blog (see slide show) but it literally took me two hours to figure out the PC, my new camera (the one I brought over broke), how to download photos from here etc...  I only have time to shoot you all some bulleted thoughts and observations from the trip thus far.  I will have expanded posts sooner or later but in the mean time, check out my Facebook page for daily updates and photos.  If you are not on Facebook...set up a fake page, ask me to be your friend, and then follow my updates.

Here we go:
1. Running the Rome Marathon with my buddy Bob was a blast.  Took lots of photos along the way. Weather for me was humid and warmer than I'm use to.  It was a great feeling finishing.
2. Rome and Italian drivers are nuts...you take your life in your hand crossing the street.
3. I can live on pizza and gelati.

4. The Vatican and its museum are overwhelming.
5. The Colloseum is even larger than I imagined.

6. The Italian youth smoke up a storm and both men and women dress to impress.
7. Pompeii is a huge complex ruin requiring more time than we gave it.
8. Sorrento is a must see, along with the island of Capri.  Bob and hiked all over the island. Great day there.
9. Driving the Amalfi Coast (especially at night) aged me 10 years but the views were spectacular.

10. The Greek ruins at Paestrum are a hidden tourist treasure.  Quite, huge, great museum.

11. The ancient Roman ruins at Ostia Antica are very impressive, amazing but more crowded, especially with noisy school children on field trips.

12. The Rome metro (subway) system is fantastic...very easy to use.

13. The Spanish Steps are is, I think, over rated...crowded, noisy, dirty...disappointing.

14. Bob and I stumbled across and wondered through a political rally near our hotel in Rome...wild scene!

I know there is more on my mind but my thoughts are getting sloppy.  Back to the room to pack.

Caio!