I Love America

I recently returned from Italy, my first time out of the country other than Canada and my first real vacation since 1981. I finally got a stamp in my passport. Here are my takes.

1.) Rome is a big city, not unlike NYC. Great attractions. Loved the Coliseum and Vatican. Didn't see the Pope. Traffic is brutal. Smart Cars and scooters everywhere. No street signs. Got lost more than once.

2.) Did I mention the food was incredible.
3.) Train travel to Assisi, Florence and Naples was great. High speed and very relaxing. Why we don't have this in the USA?

4.) Did I mention the food was incredible.

5.) Everywhere we went people knew all about McCain/Obama. Most were surprisingly rooting for McCain. All expect some moron store owner in Assisi. People know it's in their best interests for the U.S. to be strong and prosperous.

6.) Pompeii blew me away. They had "fast food" nearly 2000 years ago. Felt eerie walking along the streets.

7.) The Mediterranean was blue and beautiful. We were the last ones in the Blue Grotto for the day. Nothing like Irish luck.

8.) I had art museum burnout by the time we left our last museum. It's too overwhelming. I didn't care much for Renessance art, how many Madonna's did they paint? My highlights were "David" and the Sinstine Chapel. Awesome is not enough to describe. Anything by Michaelangelo had my attention. If he was a free agent on the market today, he'd blow away a guy like A-Rod. The boy has talent galore.

9.) Did I mention the food was incredible. I was shocked when I weighted myself on my return and found I hadn't gained a pound. Maybe walking 10 miles a day had an effect.

10.) Lastly, I will never again fly coach and will never again fly US Air to an international destination. My eight year old granddaughter would have been scamped. And their on board personel were ruder than rude. It's First Class for me for now on or I'm not departing. It was sure great to visit a new land and new people but give me the good old USA anytime.