Traveling to Rome

We left home at 8:45 AM on Monday and were transported to the Tampa Airport by Leisure Limo. All went fast and easy. We met Bill and Lucy at the Delta Sky Room-the new name for the Crown Room- and spent some quiet time waiting to board the plane. The flight to JFK was smooth and uneventful except we decided when we landed that the plane needed a brake job because of the sounds that it made.

Our journey through the airport from Terminal 3

to Terminal 4 had, as Bill said, "many ups and downs."

Up elevators,

down elevators, down escalators an

d finally onto a train. Then the ups and downs started all over again. We also had to go through security a seco

nd time. So we were glad to arrive at Gate B22 and find Pat and

Jerry already there.

We had about 1 1/2 hours to wait to board our Northwest flight to Rome.

After flying more than 7 hours we were glad to land. Finding the right place for passport control was quite a journey and the luggage took a very, very long time to come off the baggage belt. I think we all relieved to come out of baggage claim and see the sign reading "James Barnett."

Our driver picked us up and we were in a 22 passenger bus. Each of us had our own window so we could watch the traffic- as wild as ever- go racing by us. Much conversation about the speed of the traffic, the crazy parking habit

s, the wild motorcycles and the ever-present graffiti was heard.

After about 90 minutes of travel we arrived at The Hotel Majestic. Kemps and Stitts had engaged the services of The Driver in Rome for a guided tour so they were off to see the city. Amazingly all our rooms were ready so we checked in and Jim and I have crashed with Kindles in hand to read and rest.

The Majestic is a beautiful hotel built in 1889. It is a jewel of neoclassical elegance located in the heart of Via Veneto. The Spanish Steps and the Villa Borghese Gardens are nearby. Trevi Fountain is not too far away. Our room has beautiful crown molding and a lovely crystal ceiling light. Up and down the hall there are pictures from earlier years in this hotel.

After a brief nap we cleaned ourselves up and happened to look outside the window and notice SOMETHING was going on across the street. A big building with many flags flying was surrounded by police and guarded by official looking men. We watched and couldn't determine what was happening. So we decided to go to the hotel bar for wine and a snack. Our floor by the elevator was filled with young men who looked very "secret servicey" with earphones in their ears. We learned from the men in the bar that across the street is the Minister of Agriculture and the G8 Summit focusing on farming is happening now. Pretty cool!

The bar on the ground floor is so beautiful and we hope to send images later or tomorrow. Meanwhile we spent a perfect afternoon in this wonderful city and terrific hotel- thanks Leigh!