Italy 2001

In February of 2001, I had the opportunity to return to Italy, again travelling with friends.  Jen, Jackie, Tandy and I met Shannon in Rome for four days (so much fun), then went to Florence and met Tandy's sister Layton (who was "studying" abroad), and finally ended up in Bologna.  Some of the girls stayed behind a few extra days, travelling to Venice, Milan, and Switzerland.

  Shannon, me and Jackie trying very hard to look "local" as we walk the streets of
Rome.  Yes, that's the Colosseo (aka Colosseum) in the background.

  On the left, looking out from the Colosseum.  On the right, Shannon and Jen discuss the finer points Ionic, Doric and Corinthian columns!

Here, Shannon, Jackie and Tandy toss coins into the Fontana di Trevi.
The famous custom is to throw a coin in the fountain (over your shoulder
while facing away) to ensure you return to Roma.  If you throw a second
coin, you can make a wish.  We tossed away!!!

 Here I am standing in front of the Pantheon.  Our hotel was but a hop, skip,
and a jump away, so we found ourselves passing what most consider to be the
"most perfect of the city's ancient monuments" quite often.  Rough life, huh?

And, no trip is complete without some SugarMama behavior.  We met
Mika at a local pub.  He was in town on business from Finland.  
He and Jackie have exchanged a few e-mails since, and he tells
wonderful travel stories.  We are so jealous.