Arreviderci Roma

Well, 5 days in Rome have come and gone much quicker than one would have wished; and the days filled with so many incredible experiences.

I must apologize for not writing sooner, but this final week has been incredibly and at times, overwhelmingly emotional (for a variety of reasons soon to be explained), and quite frankly blogging was therefore, beyond me.

And so why and what, you may ask, has seen me revert to behavior so unstoppably blubbering and pathetic? No...Mum and Wendi.....I have not been watching any Lassie movies!

Well, some of the reasons are listed follows:

1. Our arrival in Rome had of course followed our emotional reunion with Lorene in Nancy, followed ever so quickly by yet another emotional farewell. How blessed we are that our first and only experience in hosting an Exchange Student during my time in Rotary, has resulted in such a loving and lasting bond on both sides.

2. Next came our arrival in Rome, and our reunion with Nicholas who shared generously his time with us, showing and explaining to us many of the most special and important components of the Holy City.
















3. Being able to bear witness to the Ordination to the Diaconate of Michael Gallacher; to be here for him; to be here with him; and to be able to share in his family's pride and joy was an incredible honor. For both sets of parents to be present and visibly witness both our son's happiness, sense of fulfillment and satisfaction, is an amazing grace gifted us, their parents.

4. To be lucky enough to go on a Scavi tour and in so doing bear witness to time in memorium; to pray at the relics of St. Peter, to visit the incorruptible; and to pray at the relics of Jesus' cradle, are all things indescribably precious and unforgettable personal gifts.









5. Getting to see in person things such as the Trevi Fountain by night light, to throw coins in of course; and to revel in the wonder that little ol' Julie Ann Flower from 9 Maria Ave, Nunawading was really there - and not just watching another rerun of Gidget goes to Rome!
Of walking beside the Colosseum; and hearing within my mind the roar of lions and the blood curdling screams of Gladiators and Christians as they were mauled, mutilated and consumed.
Of being transfixed by the incredible history of Rome; it's buildings, architecture, traditions etc - and yet being disappointed by the apparent dirtiness of the city itself, it's public transport etc.
Of eating in tiny pizzeria's of a night, whilst being serenaded by piano accordions and then being set upon by gypsies selling flowers, scarves, and tinny or plastic crappy souvenirs.









6. And then there is of course the understanding that our itinerary was drawing to a close; and that whilst we have experienced the most wonderful of adventures - that all good things must come to a close - and that home, every day responsibilities and of course an eventual return to work awaits us.

7. Along with this came of course the realization that 46 days away from home, from those you love and miss, is an incredibly long time; and the heart begins to pine for them even more. Arms ache to hold and cuddle; lips long to kiss (and that's just for you Danny! PMSL!!!!!!!!).

6. Ad then to top it all off I have to admit that all these weeks away, I have not been completely open with those that would want and deserve to know. This was partly because, I was trying to reassure myself that I was being a worry wart.....and because I did not want to worry anyone unnecessarily. The thing is that from the very beginning of the trip (London), I had a painful right lower leg, which I initially thought to be a strained/torn calf muscle due to so much walking. Those who were with us upon the Rhine Cruise and the Tauk bus tour will of course be aware of this. When things did not improve, I visited a German Doctor in Vienna as I was concerned that I may have developed a DVT, even though I had been taking all precautions both before leaving Melbourne ($130 venous stockings, Cartia tabs etc). Anyway, his diagnosis was no.....no DVT; simply muscle strain.

Anyway, long story short...... Leg got even worse, with even more swelling and extended pain. Visit to Doctor's in Rome (3 of them and an Echo Doppler) shows that I do have DVT in calf and ankle of right leg and am now on daily Heparin shots in the belly, other tabs and a heparin cream. Have been allowed to fly home, but only with Grade 1 stockings on, which need to be worn permanently for the next 4 weeks at least, and of course I need to receive follow up care when I hit Melbourne.

And so, all the "who ha" over this sort of tipped me over the edge emotionally - peed off that I have been unable to do all that I wanted in this last week, and at the same time a tad worried that I would not be allowed to fly home. But never fear, as I write this, we are 3 hrs into our 11 and a half hour flight to KL where we shall stay for one night, before flying home to Melbourne on Thursday. Oh, and by the way, I have sprouted the beginnings of a beautiful herpes.....sorry to all those I kissed farewell this morning!

Before signing off on this blog (which I will post when we arrive at our KL Hotel), I wanted to than Fr. Anthony so very much for his hospitality, his kindness, sense of humor - and his incredible sense of understanding. Thanks too for the company, conversations, meals and fun shared with Frs Denton, Pritchard, Cartwright and Dillon in particular. Lucky for me these wonderful Priests know me pretty well, and have therefore accepted my teary sessions amidst laughter as par for the course!

Postscript: time is now 7:10am KL time, and we are beginning our descent in preparation of landing. I have had about an hours sleep, watched the movie Monsoon Marriage and have also watched a Michael Buble special!

Postscript #2: slept for 4 hrs, and now have arrived poolside yet again at the Renaissance - and so, where our adventure began.....so too does it conclude.
Love to all.

Jul's and Spike xxxxx

Location:Air Malaysia flying from Rome to KL

Lorene

How can 4 days fly by so quickly? The anticipation and the longing seemed to go on forever; and yet it seems to have come, been and gone way before we were ready to bid goodbye. But then we all know that there is really never a good or appropriate time to bid farewell to someone we love, is there?



And so it was that just 4 days ago, we arrived at Nancy Station and amid tears, laughter, hugs and white roses, we shared a longed for reunion with our very own honorary French daughter, Lorene.

8 years had passed since we bid her farewell at Tullamarine Airport, after having her live with us for the best part of a year whilst here as a Rotary Exchange Student. She had arrived in Melbourne as a seventeen year old girl, and celebrated her 18th birthday here in Melbourne. She was what us Aussie's would call a real stunner back then; and let me tell you that she still is!!!!!

In the year spent with us, Lorene entered our lives and became a part of our family for forever more. We have constantly kept in touch over the years by phone and especially via those wonderful inventions known as email and Facebook. It has been a promise we made to Lorene, that we would visit her and her family for a long time now.......one that finally became a reality on October1st, 2011.



Old streets of Nancy.


I have shared with you already how wonderful the weather has been for our entire trip and we are ever so blessed that the good weather followed us here to Nancy, Baudicourt - as well as to each and every other village visited within the region of Lorraine. I know that this may sound a little corny to some of you, but I firmly believe that God heard that we were finally to lose our virginity regarding overseas travel; that he knew how long we had dreamed for this chance and quite possibly also, just how much we deserved and needed this trip away.....and so he said to all his Helpers up there: "And may the sun shine upon them for each of the days of their journey with nothing but warmth, fun and joy".........and you know what?????......so far, it has been all of that and then some!










Pierre-Alex, Sophie, Lorene and Bounty the Dog.


This photo is taken at over 13,000 ft above sea level!!!!!







And so our stay at Auberge du Parc, in Baudicourt has been incredible. We have been treated like family, and have enjoyed the most wonderful of hospitality. It has been great to reunite with Laurence (Lorene's Mum) once again - and fantastic to meet Christian (Lorene's Dad), her sister Sophie and brother, Pierre-Alex for the first time. As for spending time with Lorene, there are no words that truly describe the joy.......nor the intense sadness at having to bid her farewell, just a little while ago, following the sharing of a most beautiful gastronomic feast prepared by Christian and served to us by Laurence.

Each day we have been shown the most wonderful sights, places, famous landmarks and have been provided the most incredible and educational insight into the First World War and the Invasion and devastation of France.


Laurence and Petite Moi!










Monument for some French Soldiers built around outer area of burial site where soldiers were killed - buried alive - as they were bombed whilst sleeping, standing up in trenches with their bayonets in hand.







And so as I lie here, unable to sleep, still emotional that such a long awaited reunion has gone too quickly; I remember to give thanks that we were able to come in the first place; to give thanks for this family being so open to spending precious time with us, and to share their beautiful countryside and villages with us.
















Mirecourt - the town famous for Violin and Lace making.










It is important here to be perfectly honest, as I always endeavor to be; and for this reason I must admit that as well as lying here feeling a little melancholy, I also wonder what in the name of Hector am I going to wear to work upon my return, because I am sure that despite the constant walking, this food from the North of France has done nothing to assist the zipper of my work skirt from going up; and remaining up!!!!!!!! (Blood sugars still the best they have ever been however, I am glad to report).


Appetizers.




Entree.




Main. (French Beef served on a bed of French field Mushrooms and topped with Duck Fois Gras.




Desert (A selection of Diabetic Specialities - NOT!!!!!)


And so we will arise at 5:30am (just 4 hrs from now), so that we may take the fast train back to Paris; and then fly to Rome for the final leg of our trip. Impossible to believe that our massive adventure is coming to it's natural conclusion; and that we shall be home before we know it........Never mind, there remains incredible adventures still in store, just around the corner.....and the excitement builds yet again!

Post note: Am guessing my French is going to be of absolutely no bloody good to me in Rome?????????


Love to all, as always.

Jul's and Spike xxxxx

Location:Baudricourt

Book of Revelations - According to Julie Ch6 V9:18

And so I say unto you: "Paris is truly the most beautiful city in the world"!

We have just dined this evening and sipped champers in a delightful seafood restaurant, and now lie in bed trying to come to terms with the reality that our 3 days here has been and gone in the blink of an eye.

We have seen so much, in such a short space in time - and yet seen so little, when one considers all that Paris has to offer the eager tourist.
Yesterday was spent hopping on and off various hop on/ hop off buses, driving all over Paris and for me, managing to get incredibly sunburned.
Today, although filled with hours more of sightseeing, was largely spent by me covered in a longer sleeved shirt; and sheltered wherever possible by shade; and at all other times by my glamorous (not) sunhat.



We were thrilled that we got to spend last evening with our niece Emilee, who has been living and working in Paris for the last 18 months or so. It was with Em that we got to explore the joys of traveling on the met, climbed up and down more stairs than in my entire lifetime, dined in one of her favorite eating haunts, and then visited together Sacre Coeur Church on top of its hill; and got to look out over an entire city adorned by lights. Absolutely magical. With such a balmy evening, it was then lovely returning to a square near our hotel, where we shared more time with Emilee until we bid one another farewell at close to midnight.



Emilee and Aunty Jul's (thanks heaps Em for the great night; we had a ball!)


It is important here to discuss the weather we have been blessed with and have encountered since leaving Melbourne on August 27th. We have had only one day where we experienced heavy rain and this was the day we visited Heidelberg (and even then it was not cold by any means). Other than this we have experienced temperatures of between 23 and 29 degrees - and the highest of temperatures has been this last 3 days in Paris. The people in Europe have been amazed at our good fortune; and they are considering this as an Indian Summer, given that they had a very cool and wet summer themselves this year.



Sacre Coeur by night (with a flat camera battery!)





The architecture and atmosphere in general is invigorating.









Le grand Monsieur de Paris!






Ducks de Eiffel.



Glorious Autumn with a touch of Indian Summer.



Sight seeing on top of the Sunburn Bus!



Taken by Monsieur Pearce from the 2nd level of the Eiffel.


Despite all the wonderful things we have seen such as: Le Louvre, Notre Dame and half a dozen other churches, the amazing streets, apartment buildings, the way pet dogs are treated as precious members of families and are free to enter shops, restaurants and stay with their owners in hotels, bars etc; museums, opera houses, the Champs de Elysee, Arc de Triumph, the Eiffel Tower (which Michael took to the top, whilst I sat for 3 hrs at the bottom awaiting his return), cruising up the River Seine - despite all these wonderful things - there has been for me, one huge negative - and that my friends is the traffic!!!!!!!! Hate it, hate it, hate it - and could never drive here. Tour buses drive like crazy men and women; and traffic becomes so constipated at times, that walking is probably quicker. Not necessarily safer however, if trying to cross at pedestrian crossings!

.........It is morning now.....fell asleep whilst writing last night......and so apart from madly getting packed ready to leave for Nancy on the fast train, I am desperately searching for results of the GF in Melbourne. The match is still in it's 4th quarter; the mighty Catter's are in front! Just hoping final results are through b4 I lose wi Fi access!!!!!!

And so now our taxi has arrived and we head for 4 days with Lorene and her family.......we are incredibly excited.....there are sure to be tears.....and Papa has his beret on in anticipation!

Speak again soon; but for now we say: "au devoir mon ami's!"

Now to my darling Charlie, and to Granny's Billy........
You would both be in your element here in Paris with me. I see lots of doggies wherever I go, and when I goo and gaa over them, my heart yearns for you both, my beautiful boys. I thought I would post you a photo of a baby puppy, only 8wks old......so gorgeous......but don't worry, you are still my favorites!

Can't wait to get home and snuggle with you Charlie, for the longest time. (please make sure Jac and Marn's give you a nice anal gland evacuation b4 my homecoming!)




Postscript: we arrived safely in Nancy and the reunion with Lorene was everything I had imagined it to be.....and then some! We spent the afternoon dining outdoors; and then walked around the streets of "old Nancy" and through their beautiful gardens before being driven by Lorene to the Pernot family home and business, Auberge du Parc in Baudricort.








Old world Nancy.... Absolutely beautiful!










Where in days long gone, women of the village used to was their laundry.





We have been welcomed incredibly warmly by this beautiful family; have dined upon the most delicious of traditional French fare and have finally fallen into bed exhausted at 11:30pm France time - Michael lies already fast asleep - and me here, determined to complete this blog before allowing sleep to over ome me once more.

Oh, and finally........I have now discovered that the mighty Catter's have won their 3rd grand final in 5 yrs.......and so I can sleep now.....a very contented woman indeed; for I am blessed....extremely blessed!

Jul's and Spike xxxxx

Location:Paris