It was magical!

Glad you had such a great trip, and I am also glad you came back here and posted, it is so nice to hear how peoples trips went after seeing them post, ask questions, make and remake plans etc.. Nice to hear how it all worked out!!

One note,it is correct, locals do not wear moneybelts. That is likely because they do not carry their passports around with them, or a hundred or more euros ... or even if they do lose that stuff it is easier for them to go to their local bank, talk to staff in person, in their langauge,, and not have to worry about getting cash or CC replaced as quickly as they have a bed to sleep in no matter what and not plane or train to worry about missing! LOL

I do agree with you that one need not wear a moneybelt all the time either, I too leave stuff in hotel safe rather then wear the MB all the time.

SO,, whens the next trip.. planning( or at least dreaming about) the next trip is the only way out of post trip letdown.. LOL

Pat--you're right about the post trip blues. I've been home now 1 full day and I so miss Italy. I went grocery shopping to restock with my now favorite foods and the sticker shock hit me like a brick wall. I'm not sure why food is so expensive in my neck of the woods. One of the magical things that happened is I found a shop that wants to sell my art pieces (glass buttons and shawl pins), he bought all the ones I happened to have with me and wants my catalogue. So, now I get to work like crazy person to build up my stock, make a catalogue and send them off. The nicest thing he said was, "Remember, Armani started in his basement." He has 3 stores to put them in. The one I went to was by the Trevi Fountain. As soon as I make enough money to go again is when I will go.

I know most people won't be able to do and see the things I did on Murano, because I was taking a glass class there, and the Cattalan studio (glass making since the 1400's) opened many, many doors for me. Murano is very similar to Port Townsend, small, quaint and after 1 day I felt like family with the people where I got my espresso and pastry every day. It was heartbreaking to leave. On my first night there, one of my rings came off and went down the drain at a restaurant, and the owner got out his pipe wrench, undid the pipes and retrieved my ring. That wouldn't happen here. Every time I saw them after that night they laughed with me about it. I am the "ring" girl forever in their hearts.

Michelle, awesome, now you can write off portions of your trip expenses as it was business travel, lucky you, now you have to go back to keep your stock up,, and find more buyers.

Welcome home Michelle! I'm glad the trip was such a success, both personally and professionally. All the more reason to return and return often!

How did you enjoy the sights in Rome? Did you go to the Vatican, and if so, how were the lines?

Murano sounds charming--I adore Pt. Townsend, so Murano should go on my list I think. And yes, food prices have gone up. Chicken at Costco is now $17 a bag (used to be $14). At least the gas prices have dropped a bit.

Liz--Rome is an amazing city. I walked everywhere, except to the Vatican, where I was meeting with a guide at noon. I didn't know how long it would take to walk, especially if I got lost (which happened several times). Getting lost was part of the experience and those were the times I found the most amazing (and less pricey) cafe's, shops and grocery/markets. There was a constant flow of people into the Vatican Museum but we never stopped, there was no waiting to go through security or to get a ticket (maybe a 5 minute wait). Definately go in the afternoon, there are lots of booths inside to buy your ticket, some downstairs and then some more upstairs. Some friends from my class went in the morning and they said it was soooo crowded that they had to move along with the throngs of tours and people and couldn't stop to enjoy any particular art piece. I did not find that the case when I went in the afternoon. I saw the Colisseum every morning and just about every evening and don't think I could get tired of seeing that structure every day of my life!! The Forums, Trajan's Market, the Trevi, the Pantheon, Vittorio Emmanuel's tomb of the unknown soldier (where there is a cafe at the top with a fabulous view of all the ruins in the immediate area)all of the neighborhoods (loved Largo Argentina) and fountains (with fabulously tasting and cold water) everywhere will forever remain in my heart. I was in Rome for 4 1/2 days and only touched the surface of what it has to offer. I'll be going back as soon as I can!!

Michelle, I feel the same way about Rome! And even as a woman traveling alone, I felt safe, but I was still careful! I loved Argentina square and the Torre cat sanctuary. If you missed the cat sanctuary, please visit www.romancats.com Even if you don't care about cats, it's still an amazing thing to see all the cats run around in the ruins. Not many tourist know about this! And I had the best pizza ever in Torre Argentina!
I was there for ten days in 2005. In six weeks I'm going back to see more of Italy! Can't wait!

Lisa-Yes, I spent quite a bit of time at the Cat Sanctuary--called Area Sacra--which is actually the location where Ceasar was killed. I found that quite interesting. The remains of the four temples, from different time periods showing the changing levels of the streets through time was fascinating. Caffe Argentina was a great restaurant with good food, Prosecco, espresso, and a view of the ruins. Located just to the north of the ruins on the corner of Corso Vittorio Emanuelle and Via del Cestari (which leads to the Pantheon, a 2-5min walk). My favorite was the temple of good fortune--since I just happened to have some. The Roman Forum was another favorite with 2000 years of history, people living their lives, the importance of women in their culture, the equality of belief, legislature, and business (all being at the same elevation and location). It was a good reminder of how life can work without greed.