More vacation plans?

My boss told me today that he'll be taking one week of vacation and going to... Santorini... I told him I hate him with all my heart and I don't wanna see him again, and that I won't ever talk to him again... but unfortunately I had to do these things, since we're working together. Of course he knew I was only joking :). God, I wouldn't have told something like that to my boss and mean it! I must say I have a wonderful boss, much like the first two I had but a lot different than the one before him.
Oh, I'd loooooooooooooove to see Santorini again!!! I'm seriously thinking of going to Athens in autumn, but I might have to do it alone this time. I don't think there's anyone willing to come... Oh well, I think I'd manage on my own ;)

Vacanze Romane

I don't think my adventure compares to that of Audrey Hepburn, but it was still an adventure. I wrote down all the places I saw every day, in order not to forget anything, so just let me get my journal and start the "story":...

Day 1 - Babel

Our plane took off at 06:10 and landed in Rome at 07:05 (mind you, Rome is one hour behind Bucharest, so even thought the flight took two hours, we gained one). We took the bus to the subway station Anagnina and from there we took the train 21 stations to Ottaviano - San Pietro (I know, I go deep into details sometimes, but that's me :). We were staying at a B&B called "Il Tibullo", owned by an acquaintance of mine, quite close to the Vatican. After we settled in, Ionut decided to take a nap (???) while Ana and I were anxious to go outside and discover "la citta eterna" - the eternal city. Which we did. Our first stop was Piazza San Pietro, where we took lots of photos, watched the columns from that one spot from where all four rows seem like one, admired the pigeons and did not believe we were actually in Rome... We were working on that one step at a time. After San Pietro we headed towards Sant'Angelo Castle. This castle started as emperor Hadrian's circular tomb and was fortified later by Aurelius. It was also the Pope's residence for 1000 years. From the top of it we had a wonderful view of Rome.
Our next stop was Piazza Navonna. It was full of people from all over the world, tourists, locals - some of them artist: painters, portrait drawers, caricaturists... It felt like the Babel tower! But in spite of all the crown there was an incredible silence. It felt quite... comfortable. It is one of Rome's most beautiful pedestrian squares, with fountains and surrounded by palaces, Sant'Agnese church and also very picturesque trattorias, one of which was called "La Dolce Vita". We took photos in front of the Four Rivers Fountain (Danube for Europe, Nile for Africa, Rio de la Plata for America and Ganges for Asia) and then left looking for a McDonalds - we wanted something cheap and where we didn't have to wait for our food. Time was something we didn't quite have. After our quick lunch we went in search of the Pantheon. With a good map and a great sense of orientation (of which I am quite proud), one will very easily find their way around Rome. And so we found the Pantheon, this pagan temple at it's origins, dating since 125 AD, also constructed by Hadrian. Unfortunately we could not get inside so we did not see the royal tombs and the tomb of Rafael.
Next "attraction" on our list was the famous Trevi Fountain. "Pasted" on the back of a palace, this famous landmark of Rome dates from 1732 and marks the end of the aqueduct Acqua Vergine, built by Agrippa in the 19th century BC from a miraculous spring discovered by a virgin. It is said that if you throuw 3 coins in the fountain you will return to Rome. I think I threw 4, but I would have returned to Rome anyways... We met with Ionut here and then headed to Piazza di Spagna, via Piazza Barberini where we saw the fountain of the triton. It was already dark outside and we were really tired, so we rested a bit in from of the church Trinita dei Monti, then descended the famous Spanish steps, took some photos of the Barcaccia, the fountain representing a sinking boat (I know, Rome's full of fountains :), then we took the subway and went home.

Day 2 - Past and Present

We decided to spend Saturday with a so-called time-travel. We started with the Colosseum. It so happens that this year is its 2000th anniversary. So we picked a good year to see it, I'd say :). I forgot to mention that we had purchased the Roma Pass, which for three days granted us free transportation, free entrance to the first two museums and discount for the rest of them. The Colosseum was the first one we chose to be free. I felt really small and insignificant when I entered the large arena. Again, I couldn't believe I was there, inside of this wonderful construction I had only seen in photos, following the steps of my ancestors, touching the stones that Roman hands touched 2000 years ago... It's a feeling I can't describe. After the Colosseum we kept with the history and went to see the Roman Forum and the palatine Hill, a picturesque ensemble of ruins that was once a symbol of civic pride for over 1000 years.
We left the forum in the afternoon and stepped into Piazza Venezia, in the middle of which rises "Il Vittoriano", the huge monument dedicated to king Victor Emanuel II, which you can easily see from any higher place in Rome, Just like the dome of San Pietro. Close to it was the famous Column of Traian and also the Forum of Traian, though not as impressive as the Roman Forum. We headed back to the Colosseum on Via Deu Fori Romani, but didn't go all the way. After we rested a bit we decided to change our direction towards Piazza del Quirinale. We were intending to see the Quirinale Gardens but from the Piazza we took a wrong turn and ended up at Trevi. Since it was already getting late we headed for home, slowly, on foot. We had been walking all day so we could barely feel our legs. It seemed like they were walking by themselves. We again passed by the Pantheon, Piazza Navonna, Sant'Angelo Castle and Piazza San Pietro. The last one was empty this time and thus quiet. We stopped for a while to admire the church and the majestic columns and the water falling from the fountain, which in the artificial light seemed like grains of gold.

Day 3 - Dialogue with the Saints

On the last Saturday of every month the entrance to the Vatican Museum is free. Unfortunately a lot of people come to the Vatican on Sunday and we also got up a bit late, so the queue would have been a long one. We decided to keep on the religious side and visit two important churches of Rome: San Giovanni in Laterano, which is also the cathedral of Rome, and Santa Maria Maggiore. Both churches are quite impressive, not as much in what concerns the exterior, but the interior architecture and also the many beautiful statues and wonderful frescoes. From Santa Maria we went to the Borghese Gardens. Ana wanted to see the Zoo but I was planning to do something else, perhaps walk in the gardens, which I had heard were beautiful. We stopped first at a restaurant near Trinita dei Monti, 'cause we were starving. We then went to Piazza del Popolo and arrived there just when it started to rain (by the way, in spite of the forecast that announced rain for the entire duration of our staying, the weather was actually warm, with just a few showers). We took refuge inside a small museum with the inventions of Leonardo Da Vinci, which was quite interesting. When we got out the rain had stopped and the sun was coming out. We had to be home by 7 pm, as Mihaela, the owner of the B&B, had offered to take us to a night drive around the city. So there was no time to go to the Zoo. Not that I minded :). After all, I didn't go to Rome to see wild animals. If I wanted that I'd have gone on an African safari...
So we took the subway from Piazza di Spagna and went home.
The night drive was wonderful. Mihaela first took us to eat ice-cream and then we went to see Rome from above, from the Lovers' Hill. The panorama was totally breathtaking. Never in my life have I seen something so beautiful... From there we drove by the Colosseum, the pyramid of Caius Cestius, the Circo Massimo (where chariot races used to be held in old times), Piazza Venezia, Piazza di Spagna, Trevi, Lungotevere (that's the Tiber river bank)... Rome is also beautiful by night.

Day 4 - Vatican

We dedicated Monday to the Vatican Museum and San Pietro. I'm not going to describe everything we saw at the museum (where we spent 4 hours), because that would require lots of details and also lots of time, I'll just say that it really impressed me, especially the Sixtine Chappel. San Pietro literally left me with my mouth open. The moment I set foot inside I was overwhelmed. Again, that feeling of smallness and insignificance... Though, one thing that didn't impress me as much as I thought it would, was Michelangelo's "Pieta". Somehow I had pictured it bigger...
We also went up in the dome of San Pietro, to see Rome from above, this time during the day. The view is indeed wonderful, but getting there is a real nightmare. Lots of stairs (of course, there's an elevator if you want, for part of the climb) and towards the end a very narrow corridor, which is also inclined to about 80 degrees. Even if you're not claustrophobic you'll sure feel like one... But all this is forgotten when you get outside and you feel like you're on top of the world.
Although we were dead-tired, in the evening we went and took photos of the Colosseum. It's even more beautiful in the dark, because it's all lit up and there's almost no one around. Unfortunately my camera doesn't take extraordinary pictures during the night, but I managed to capture quite a few decent ones. I think I'm gonna have to invest in a better camera :).

Day 5 - Leaving on a jet plane... NOT!

And so we come to the story of how I managed to miss my flight...
After an argument I had with Ana when we returned from the Colosseum, we decided to visit different things on what was supposed to be our last day in Rome. But before that we went to that we went to see the crypt with the tombs of the Popes at San Pietro, which we didn't manage to do on Monday. Afterward the two of them went to (take a guess) the Zoo and I took the bus towards the Baths of Caracalla. I didn't think I would, but I really enjoyed the time I spent alone. It was really quiet in the park that surrounded the ruins as there were not many visitors. After the Baths I went to see the pyramid of Caius Cestius and then Marcello's Theater, close to Piazza Venezia, from where I took the bus and went home. I got to the B&B around 4 pm, had lunch and waited for my friends. We were all supposed to meet there at 5-5:30. It was 5:30 and they hadn't come back. I tried to call Anna but couldn't get through. 5:45, then 6. At 6 I wanted to leave but my friend, Mihaela's sister, convinced me to wait for them at least until 6:15. She thought we'd had plenty of time to catch our flight, which was leaving at 8:55. At 6:15, when I was with my bags at the door, they came. I should have gone anyways, but instead I waited for them to get ready. So we left home at 6:30, took the subway another 21 stations and arrived at the bus station at 7:25, five minutes after the buss had left. The next one was at 8:00. The schedule said the bus ride takes about 15 minutes. I was starting to become worried, but my friends were calm, which really annoyed me. We go to the airport 10 minutes after the check-in was closed. Although the plane would take off in 30 minutes, plenty of time for us to catch it, 'cause Ciampino's a small airport, they refused to let us do the check-in, even if we offered to carry our own bags to the plane. I was a nervous wreck. I yelled at my friends for being so totally irresponsible, I started crying and when I finally calmed down (sort of) I called my cousin and asked her if she could find us three tickets on the Blue Air flight from Fiumicino airport the next day. We were lucky, but it cost us 108 euro each. We were also lucky to have a place to stay over night, because Mihaela hadn't given our room yet.

I have nothing to tell from my last day there, just that I was happy to get back home. Not that I hadn't enjoyed Rome, but the previous day had thrown a black cloud over the entire experience. Nevertheless, I'm trying to slowly erase it and all the other differences of opinion we had. That's what happens when people want different things...

I want to go to Rome again, perhaps next year, who knows ;)

My Life in Images

Who said spring is cool?

I might not be going to Rome, but to Forks, lol! Ok, that's not funny at all... I checked the weather forecast for Rome, Italy, for 27-31 March and it said: cloudy, light rain, rain, rain and cloudy again :(. Fortunately it won't be cold, which is a good thing, and they didn't mention anything about wind, which is another good thing. Lucky I bought a new umbrella yesterday...

It's like Vienna all over again. Except it was June.

Rome, baby! Rome...

For the connoisseurs this was meant to sound like "La Push, baby! La Push..." (Twilight)

So, it's only two days left until my Roman vacation and I'm a bit worried... that I won't have enough time to see all there is to be seen. I know for sure I won't miss the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and the Vatican, but there's just so much to see and so little time... Well, five days might seem enough, but for me they don't. Guess if I like it I will go again ;). And I have absolutely no doubt about liking Rome...

Later edit:

I saw earlier The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 and seeing Santorini again it made me think of my vacation in Crete in 2007 and my cruise to Santorini. I really want to go there again. My cousin said we might go to Athens this autumn, which is a good compensation :). But I still want to go to Satorini again and stay more than just a few hours. At least a week, that would be perfect! God, I love Greece...

Cristina, don't forget to breathe...

This is a message I received on Saturday from Silvia. She knew I was re-reading Eclipse, the Romanian version this time. It all started last week when my friend Ella and I went to see Twilight again at the cinema. It was like the 5th time for both of us, but we HAD to see it again. During the kissing scene Ella turned to me and said "Cristina, breathe!". I was so caught by the moment that I didn't realize I was unconsciously holding my breath (ok, I haven't had any "action" since July, so I was simply "living" the moment :) ). Of course we had a laugh about this afterwards, and the second day she told Silvia. But she's not getting away with it that easily :). She just received her order of the first three books of the saga and tonight around midnight I'm planning to text her: "Ella, don't forget to breathe!" :):):)

Right, so I became hooked on Twilight. I'm a junkie and that's my drug. As it says in the book, it's "exactly my brand of heroin". As soon as I'm back from Rome I'm gonna buy the dvd. Although, the Romanian version of it's not the extended edition. Now THAT's the one I'd like to have! Today for the first time in my life I spent more than 5 minutes on Amazon. Usually I would end up on that site by mistake, while searching something on Google. But today I entered it intentionally. Was looking for Catherine Hardwicke's book, Twilight: Director's Notebook, and boy did I find some "treasures" :). The two-disc special edition dvd, the movie companion, the Cullen family crest authentic prop replica jewelry... If only my salary would allow me all of those :)

Ok, I know I'm going crazy here :). I made it almost a ritual in the morning to listen to the Twilight soundtrack and I also listen to it at work. I thought I had gone past this phase after The Phantom of the Opera but I guess I was wrong... Like Edward, "I'll just have to endure it". Thank God I have two sufferance companions. But it's such a sweet torture :). If this is hell, then I WANT MORE!!! And it's such a long wait until the release of New Moon, the movie (November 20)... *Sigh*

Later edit:
Ok, so I had to get back to this post because I wrote it at work, in a hurry, with one of my colleagues always coming to me with questions. Try to concentrate to writing in your blog under such condition :). So later today I came into possession of Twilight on dvd. Yeah, it's not the original, but a pirate copy. It has some Special Features, but not all of them work. The only ones that work are some extended scenes that didn't make it to the movie in full. Frankly, I don't get all this taking out and cutting... I also saw a couple of perfectly good deleted scenes the other day and wondered why they decided to take them out. They would have made the movie so much better! They took out a big part of the book and some of these scenes made sense to the ones who read it. Ok, so they would have made the film a bit longer. Well, compared to Watchmen, that wouldn't have been such a bad thing. I did see Watchmen and I did like it, but I agree it was a bit too long (just like this post is getting)... I don't think that 10-15 minutes of Twilight would have damaged the movie. Au contraire!

I was thinking of watching it again, but instead I chose to watch only a few scenes that I liked. And so I remembered something else that attracted me to it, not just the story. It's Edward and Bella, or should I say Rob and Kristen, the actors. Their play is so genuine... You can actually see the struggle on Edward's face when he's close to her, or when he kisses her, how he fights against his instinct to hurt her. I saw him Sunday evening in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and I could have easily mistaken Cedric Diggory for Edward Cullen. Apart from the fierce look in Edward's eyes (come on, he's a predator after all), there was the same natural smile, which I also saw in his interviews. So no faking here, Rob was MADE to play Edward, there's no doubt about it. As for Bella, I still need to see some more of Kristen's movies (I already have What Just Happened?), but she also seems to fit perfectly to the role. She's also natural, she doesn't seem to struggle with te character. Actually, I saw her in Jumper recently and I recognized her on the spot, even though she only had a few seconds on the screen. But the look on her face, the shake of her head, the way she spoke, it instantly made me think of Bella. I can't think of anyone who would have made a better interpretation of the character. And I think I do have a "nose" for this. For example, I think Anna Paquin is NOT Sookie Stackhouse in True Blood. And this opinion has been shared by others. As far as I can remember, I have read the books a while ago, Sookie was not as stupid as Anna makes her look. And frivolous... Frankly, I would have cast Katherine Heigl, she's more like the Sookie I imagined. But this is just my opinion...

Right when I'm "talking" too much it means I'm tired and I should go to bed, which I'll probably do in just a few minutes, right after I update the post above :)

May child...

Stubborn and hard-hearted. Strong-willed and highly motivated. Sharp thoughts. Easily angered. Attracts others and loves attention. Deep feelings. Beautiful physically and mentally. Firm Standpoint. Needs no motivation. Easily consoled. Systematic (left brain). Loves to dream. Strong clairvoyance. Understanding. Sickness usually in the ear and neck. Good imagination. Good physical. Weak breathing. Loves literature and the arts. Loves traveling. Dislike being at home. Restless. Not having many children.Hardworking. High spirited. Spendthrift.