Sunny Side Up in an Upside Down World: Stay-cation!

So we had these grand plans to go to Switzerland for Nathan's leave period...but all that was changed when the local truck unions decided to strike. Last time there was a strike it cut off fuel supplies, and large amounts of trucks blocked major roads. (Just google Naples truck strike January 2012). I didn't want to get up to Switzerland and then not be able to make it back in time for Nathan to be back to work, because missing work is a BIG deal in the Navy. He would have been in serious trouble...so we decided to bag our plans of chocolate and the Swiss Temple and clocks and such and stay local.

The first day we went to the pool with friends, then to dinner. The pool has been a LIFESAVER here in the land of no AC. Miles likes it ok...despite the photographic evidence presented below. (We even took swimming lessons in June!) He was just REALLY mad that I was holding his arms so he couldn't swat his sunglasses off.

We went swimming in the local pool...I love Miles' sunglasses, they have Elmo on them. :)

Day 2 we went back to Rome. (Did I ever post the pics from our first trip to Rome? Hmmm...I'll have to check on that) Our goal was to hit as many quick touristy places as we could. And man...we hit A LOT. The bus we took dropped us at the colosseum but since we'd already seen that we found our way to the Rome Metro. It reminded me a lot of Chicago...and it made me sad for a minute.

In the Rome subway, one of my friends says this looks like a Papparazzi photo. I'm famous now...I have my own Papa Papa Papparazzi.

We found the right stop, took the correct turns and found Piazza di Spagna (the Spanish Steps).

I know taking your pics with these guys is a ripoff...but I couldn't resist. This "authentic" Roman Gladiator cost us €5! (about $6.50) He was ok, but I wish I would have waited, there were way more buff (read: hot) authentic looking gladiators closer to some of the other sites. Lesson learned.

Doesn't Miles look SO thrilled about being with a Roman gladiator?? This face cracks me up!

This is the fountain at the bottom of the Spanish Steps. It is supposed to have the sweetest water in all of Rome. I didn't have any bottles or cups to test it out...must remember for next time.

Miles and daddy playing in the fountain at the bottom of the Spanish Steps.

We hiked up the Spanish Steps - with Miles in his stroller - Nathan and I have strong arms (holy Moses there are a lot of them!), saw a cool garden full of marble busts, the Medici Villa, a beautiful church that was in Angels & Demons, and then made our way back down and found our way to Fontana di Trevi (Trevi Fountain).

Trevi Fountain in Rome.

I swear Miles was having fun. He was just so hot...poor thing. His back was drenched with sweat.

Miles and I threw a coin into the fountain...it is supposed to ensure that you return someday. Gotta love Italians and their crazy superstitions!

After the fountain we were STARVING...and there were some yummy looking Italian places nearby but I honestly just wanted American food. And AC...it was a COOKER that day...something like upper 90's with 70ish % humidity. So we headed for Hard Rock Cafe...Miles couldn't wait...he needed a nap. Inside Hard Rock it was so chilly from the AC that I had to cover Miles so he didn't wake up.

All tuckered out from a long day of sightseeing in Rome.

Those who have never lived outside of the US will not appreciate this next photo. I almost cried when they brought out my water with ICE in it. ICE!! And American Rock on the radio. And AC!!! It was awesome.

My red, white, and blue burger. It was amazing. Bleu cheese, onion ring and buffalo wing sauce. AND fries. Oh my, it was heaven.

Outside Hard Rock Cafe Rome

Following our feast at Hard Rock we went to the Capuchin Monk Crypt...it was creepy. And really odd...click HERE to read about it. They didn't allow photos inside. You can google 'Capuchin Monk Crype Rome' and see some photos...yeah, weird huh?

Then we made our way to the Pantheon. So cool. It is indescribable to see some of these historical things in person...it's so surreal.

Miles in the Pantheon in Rome looking like he's having SOOO much fun

And it wouldn't be the same if I didn't snap feet pics. :)

Feet in the Pantheon in Rome

After the Pantheon we made our way back to the bus, by way of the Vittoria Emmanuele Monument...the Italians hate it. They call it the big white typewriter. I thought it was pretty.

We made it back to the bus, but not before seeing this again:

One in the cool AC of the bus, Miles perked right up!

Playing with daddy on the bus ride back home.

...at least for a minute.

After all that playing he was wiped out! Nathan snapped this pic while we were both sleeping.

The next day we took a very cool walking tour of the Naples city cemeteries. The Neopolitans bury their dead similar to the way they do in New Orleans. It's amazing...inside the cemetery it is CLEAN and very well taken care of. And then just outside the gates? Not. That's Naples for ya!

I don't have many pics because taking photos inside the walls of the cemetery is considered desecrating the memory of the dead. But here are a few I shot through the fence. The double mound peak you see in the distance is Mt Vesuvius. It is actually very close, it's just the smog covers it pretty well.

The next two days we took it easy. We went shopping with some friends to the large mall near us (again...for the AC), had "german" food...as made by an Italian, had a family movie night, and just hung out.

On the last day of our staycation (today) we decided to hit up the beach. So we loaded up our little car and drove to Sperlonga. It's a town on the shore about half way between Naples and Rome. It is beautiful! (you'll see) and the beaches were clean and...well, clean. The sand was soft and there wasn't garbage floating in the water...WIN!

When we first got there though it was raining and I was bummed.