The Great Soggiorno: Long Delayed Guest Blog...The Croc Files

Well, where to get started. Let's see. My trip to Italy to visit the Dietz family and check out the ancient architecture and sites was more than expected. It was a whirlwind of endless experiences, sites, food and good times with friends. I flew into Rome to start and met Matt there albeit a little confusion at the train station on the location of the McDonald's as our meeting place, but we got it figured out. HAHA!! Matt and I spent a few days walking around Rome and I mean some serious walking and stair climbing. No cabs for us. My legs haven't been that sore since some of our cross country outfit runs back at school. We managed to sqeeze in all the major sites, such as, the Forum, the Vatican Museum, St. Peter's, Palatine Hill, the Coloseum, Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and much more, all in 2 1/2 days before heading to Ferrara. There I got to visit with the whole family. And by the way, Ferrara is the Best little secret of Italy. I had the best time while there. We visited the town castle and fortificaations. Several local shops and restaurants. I was introduced to a little slice of heaven at one of their favorite restaurants. I can't remember how to pronounce it but it was, homemade mac-n-cheese encased in sweet cornbread. Like I said, little slice of heaven. Although I have to admit, I really enjoyed all of the food while in Italy but Lauren, hands down, cooked the best meal while I was there. While in Ferrara, Matt, Lauren and I took a day trip out to Venice and had us a great time seeing the sites and hitting up the shops for souveniers. We returned to Ferrara and visited before I headed off to see Florence. There I got to see the David, by Michealangelo and check out the Duomo and hike up its stairs to the top of the dome. I got lucky here beccause it only has only about 450 steps compared to 530 I believe at St. Peter's. From there I headed back to Rome for a day to check out a few more things and head back to the US. I got to take advantage of the great hospitality,and visit with some dear friends while seeing some of the most awesome architectural feats ever built. I thank Matt and Lauren for welcoming me into their home and Lauren for allowing Matt to roam around the Italian countryside with me checking out the sites. If you can make it to Italy and visit with Matt, Lauren and their family and see the sites I highly recommend it. It was a non-stop blitzkrieg of site-seeing, sketching and visiting, but it was worth every penny, the sore legs and sore abs from all of the laughing while reminiscing of days old. It was a time I will always remember and cherish for the rest of my life.

Shane