new bike...

i got a bike today!
i am so happy. i felt so happy and free while riding it....the wind is cool and has been for days and the sun was setting and i live near a river which was awesome to ride on....i am so happy to have a bike again to get places instead of walking. i enjoy walking or taking the tram but i love being on the bike.

i guess i could write more about italy. i have to say i am far more impressed with northern italy but the eternal city was something to behold.

i loved being at the pantheon and in the roman forum. the ruins are pretty much ruined save for what has been preserved so it's random columns and walls of buildings...arches with old murals....me and susie had the best lunch ever at an off the beaten path place that i never got the name of.

we first went to one restaurant and susan was wanting pizza. this waiter came out and gruffy said 'no pizza, not until seven thirty that night' so we got up and left and walked a couple blocks and ate outside at this lovely small place that was full inside which was a good sign.

i had the simple yet delicious caprese salad and susan had this mixture of things....the waiter even drew a picture of me with my glasses on the top of my cappucino. very cool.

the home made tiramisu was really delightful.

susan left that afternoon and i went to experience doing laundry in rome at a coin op place. that was way too much fun and then i chilled at the hostel meeting these great people....travis and i forget his lady's name. they were super...

the next day, thursday, at the suggestion of a friend i went back near to the pantheon to get freshly roasted and brewed coffee. divine. i sat there a while absorbing the feel of the place....outside....watching the world go by.

stopped by the vatican to get my tourist prize possession which is a plastic holy water bottle with a picture of benedict on it. hysterical!

friday i set off for northern italy which i find to be far greater than southern italy though i have to be fair, i should go visit more of the coast next time in the south...

northern italy reminded me of southern switzerland as it should. from canavese one can, on a clearer day i suspect, see the southern side of the alps. it was gorgeous there. fresh clean air that i hadn't breathed in days.....simply lovely.

more to come.....