
円高の波に乗って、ちまちま貯めたお金をはたいて
イアンのお母さんの生まれ故郷、イタリアへ行ってきました。
Since the economy has gone down, Japanese "Yen" has become rather strong.
So we decided to go and visit Ian's mother's birth place--Italy.
2月22日朝出発 倉吉-大阪なんば:バス4時間
大阪なんば-関空:バス1時間
関空-香港:飛行機4時間
香港-ローマ:飛行機13.5時間
ローマ-ホテル:電車+徒歩1.5時間
計24時間+3時間(待ち時間)=27時間!!! 長っ!!
2/22 morning Kurayoshi-Namba(Osaka):4hrs bus
Namba(Osaka)-KIX(airport):1hr bus
KIX-HongKong:4hrs flight
HongKong-Roma:13.5hrs flight
Roma-Hotel:1.5hrs train+walk
Total 24hrs+3hrs(waiting time)=27HOURS!!!
やっと着いたイタリア最初はバチカン美術館
27時間の移動中ずーっといい子にしていたショーン君ですが、ここではもう限界?ぐずりだしました。が、さすがのイタリア人。赤ちゃん大好き。警備員の人を始めに殆ど会った人全てがショーン君に話しかけたりあやしてみたり・・正直助かりました。イタリア人ってこんなに温かい国民なんだぁ。と感動!
The first place we visited in Italy was the Vatican Museum.
Sean, who was being a good boy for the last 27hrs, seemed like he was reaching his limit, and started fussing. But in Italy, people are just obsessed with babies. Almost eveyone we saw there, even the guards at the Vatican, would come and talk to or play with Sean! It was really helpful.
We were so touched by the way they treated us.


24日はイアンのお母さんの生まれ故郷、フィレンツェへ
とても美しい街で、また感動
殆ど全てが歩いて行ける距離にあったので、小さい街が好きな私にとってはとても馴染み易い街でした
We entered Firenze on the 24th, where Ian's mother was born.
It was a BEAUTIFUL city. We were impressed.
Most of the famous places that we visited were within walking distance, so it made me feel at home because my hometown of Hiroshima is the same way.

お母さんが洗礼を受けたデュオモ前にて In front of Duomo where mother was baptized
25日 朝のフィレンツェを散歩 Taking a morning walk in Firenze on the 25th.
待ちに待ったおじいちゃんとの初対面。おじいちゃんの奥さんがショーン君に新しい友達をプレゼントしてくれました。
Finally, we got to meet Ian's grandfather for the first time. His wife got a new "playmate" for Sean. It was so thoughtful of her. I was very touched.
左から、イアンの叔母さん、おじいさん、奥さん。レストランに連れて行ってもらい、ランチをしました。とてもよい時間を過ごさせてもらい、私たちにとって特別な時間となりました。今回の旅のクライマックスでした。
From the left, Ian's aunt (Ilaria) , Grandfather (Franco), and his wife (Joyce).They took us to a nice restaurant and had lunch with us. We will never forget the wonderful time we spent with all of them. I have to say that was the highlight of our trip.

おじいちゃんがショーン君を笑わせているところ。曾おじいちゃんとの写真なんて・・貴重な写真です。
Here is Grandpa Franco making Sean laugh. A picture with his great grandfather.. what a treaure this will be for Sean someday!

27日 シチリア島に行く予定でしたが、疲労困憊 結局最終日はローマでのんびり
On the 27th, we were planning to go to Sicily, but were too tired so we ended up staying in Rome for our last day.

コロッセオの中身 Inside of the Colloseum

フォロ・ロマーノ遺跡にて

こんな遺跡も?! a new Artifact?!