When in Rome...

The Coliseum

Easter Mass at the Vatican

Sooo many people!

Pope Benedict XVI

The Pantheon

The Vatican

Trevi Fountain....one of my favorite things :)

Easter in Rome.....there isn't anything much better then that!

This was really a trip to remember....Tony and I had a seriously good time and lots of good memories for our first Easter together. :)

So we had a few days off for Easter so at the last minute we decided to drive to Rome for two days. We left about 6AM on Saturday and hit the road (it took us about 5.5 hours). It was a beautiful drive with the sun shining and green rolling hills....it was so peaceful. I was on a mission to get tickets for Easter mass at the Vatican because I really wanted a seat for mass. I had been calling and talking with an American visitors center through the Catholic church and they still had tickets available...however they closed at 1PM on Saturday so we had to bust our buns to get there on time! We found our hotel but didnt check in...we just rushed to the Metro and headed for the city center. We arrived right outside the Spanish steps and I stopped just for a second to take it in! But then we rushed off to get the tickets...and I was so happy once we got the tickets in our hands! Then I could relax and start our Rome experience :)

That Saturday we visited the Spanish steps, the Trevi Fountain, Vatican city, the Sistine Chapel, the Pantheon, and so many other sites! I don't think we sat down until dinner! Tony had been before with Drake and Tukka so he was able to navigate us around and give me some history about the different things. There were sooo many people everywhere we went but it was still fun. I think one of my favorite things about that day was of course seing the Sistine Chapel and all the famous paintings, but the Trevi Fountain and Pantheon were both so amazing too.

We finally got back to our hotel room around midnight...it was quite a day!

The next day was Easter!! The Easter bunny brought the basket and candy to Rome...to try to make it like home :) We even had some American Easter candy that my sister sent with the Binetts...that was a special treat..haha! We woke up around 7:30AM because we wanted to be early to mass that started at 10:15 at the Vatican. So we headed out and realized, us and about 400,000 other people also were headed to the Vatican. It was crazy to see that many people all heading for the same place. We kind of got caught up in a line waiting for the band to pass through the area...so then we thought we would never get a seat! So we finally got through the medal detectors and tried to rush quickly to where the seats were for people that had tickets....we quickly were told that there were no more seats available. But then all of a sudden they started letting some people go up the side...so Tony grabbed my hand and we headed in with the small group of people they were letting in. I honestly do not know how we got through the guards...but we did! So we were basically running to get a seat and we ended up getting seats on the top steps of the Basilica about 50ft from the Pope! We had a clear view of him...it was amazing! Mass lasted about two hours and it was incredible to be sitting in Rome, at the Vatican and so close to the Pope for Easter! We just kept looking at each other not believing where we were. (Oh and on our way out Jim Caviezel walked right by us...kind of exciting).

Then we were off to the Coliseum...the last big thing to see! It was really impressive to see in person...you see so many pictures of it through out your life, and too actually see it in person was incredible. We had a great lunch and then kept touring the Ancient ruins around the area. This part was really interesting...especially since Tony was able to be my personal tour guide and tell me about the all the history.

After spending about 4 hours in the area of the Coliseum it was time to head back home :(. We went back to our hotel and loaded up the car...and hit the road again. It was so fun to have the next 5 hours to talk about the trip and how amazing Rome is!

We really had a perfect trip! The weather even stayed beautiful...though the forecast called for rain! But really...it was a great trip and I am so happy we were able to go!

I think the trip was good for Tony too...especially since they lost on Thursday on a buzzer beater that wasn't really a beater. The basket was late...and the refs called it good...go figure! And not only was it a lose, it officially knocked the team out of the play-offs! So a little bit frustrating for the team.

So yes, that means that we are heading home soon. We are leaving Brindisi on April 29th...this is the first year that we know for sure that we are going home after the last season game! This last week here will be a little bit weird because they are playing a team that is for sure going down a league and we know for sure we aren't going to play-offs....so should be an interesting game?

OK...that is all for now! Ciao Tutti!

Family Visit!

The Binetti's

Tony's Unlce John, Aunt Rose, Nonni, and Papa

GO Brindisi :)

Matera

I know....it's been too long since I have blogged....so I have a lot to catch up on!

Well a couple weeks back we had a lot of family come to visit...which was so wonderful and fun! First to arrive were Tony's grandparents and his Aunt and Uncle. They drove in around 7PM on Saturday and we enjoyed a great Italian dinner. They had been traveling for about 36 hours so they were tired to say the least. The next day was game day...so when Tony was at shoot around we went to church at the Cathedral and then toured some famous sites in Brindisi. Then back to rest (you have to remember that Tony's grandpa is 83!) and visit with each other. Then we all went to eat and let Tony sleep and get ready for the game!

Then off to the game we all went, and while waiting for the game, we started to make friends with all the reporters we were sitting by and the photographers too! The game was not the best for the team so that was too bad but at least they all got to see one. But the next day we were surprised to find out that we had a huge picture in the paper! Of course Tony's grandma was down getting copies immediately and even had someone ask for her autograph...haha. That was really special for them...and a good memory.

Then we said good-bye as they headed off to Calabria to visit his grandma's relatives. It was really great to have them here, even though it was a quick visit. Then we just had enough time to get the sheets in the wash before we headed to the airport to pick up Tony's parents!

It had been a long time since they had seen Tony so I was so happy they could come to visit for a few days! And of course I was thrilled because they love to explore and see new things just like me...so we didnt stop for 4 days! The best place we visited was Matera which is the town they shot scenes from the Passion of the Christ. It was amazing and the Binetti's hired a private tour guide for us and that made it so interesting because we learned so much...we didn't stop walking for three hours! The town used to be all caves and everyone lived in them. We toured inside a replica cave home...and it was amazing!

Needless to say it was so much fun having the Binetti's here...and it was sad when they left! Time flies by when you have guests to entertain :) They had to leave the day before the game due to work so that was a bummer they didn't get to see a game, but the next game wasn't pretty either...so oh well!

The best part about having visitors is the fact that they get to see our daily lives which most people have no idea what it is really like for us over here. And being able to share that and show them these cute little cities is so different then most Italian vacations...and I will say a lot more authentic. And of course it is so nice to be with family whenever we get a chance :)

Ciao Tutti!

Well unfortunately I have to start with bad news...Tony's team lost on Saturday night! He had 11 pts and played well, it was on T.V. too so we were able to watch! And when I say "we" I mean a player's fiance and I! She is from Greece but speaks English really well. We went shopping and to dinner before the game which was really fun and then back to our place to watch it on TV. She left today to finish up her wedding planning though, so that is sad for me...she was my only friend from the team.

But some fun news is that I ran into another Seattle family at the grocery store and they have the most adorable 2 year old girl! We talked in line for a few minutes, and the little girl asked if I could come over to their house...ha ha. I didn't go over there, but I am meeting the mom Leah and the little girl tomorrow for coffee and shopping downtown Brindisi! I am excited :)

This week is also a little busy getting ready for Tony's family that are coming this weekend. His Grandparents, and Aunt and Uncle are arriving Saturday night and just staying two nights till Monday morning. We are looking forward to having family here, and glad they get to see Tony play on Sunday.

Then Mimi and Joe arrive Tuesday for a five days! We are going to have so much fun having them here too. We just wish they could stay for a game...but Mimi is in high demand around the world :) So we will just enjoy the time we have...and go on some Joe B. excursions!

Looking forward to a great couple of weeks!! Ciao Tutti!

Tony's Gym

Our Sweet Ride :)




Brindisi



The city of Ostuni (about 20mins away)

Ostuni again. It's known as the "White" city and it was beautiful. I loved all the green doors!

Happy St. Patrick's Day :)

I finally got to see Tony play in Brindisi...and it was a great one too! Tony had 12pts and the team won a huge game so it was good night! Then we hung out with the other team from Livorno...which is the team that Marcellus Kemp is on. He played with Tony on Friends of Hoop in Seattle, so that was cool to see him. It was a fun night out with all the Americans and Italians together :)

So we only have six more games left in the season and they are important ones. The team is still trying to make play-offs, so we are hoping for a few more wins! But if not then we will just get to go home a week earlier...which no one is complaining about!

Wish I could tell you we did something fun on Tony's day off...but getting Gelato was about the most exciting thing (which for me is OK). Lots of rest...and the Bachelor! We downloaded the last Bachelor season because we heard so much about this Seattle guy and some huge twist..ha ha!

Well I'm off to watch practice!

Hope you enjoy the pictures too.

Ciao Tutti!

Well this is my first official blog! I have a lot of relaxing time here...so thought I would write :) Currently we are living in Brindisi Italy which is in the Southern region. The most interesting thing about this city is that it is a port for ferries and ships to Greece! I wish I could just hop on one someday, but the ferries take about 18 hours...so not a day trip! But maybe after the season.

The city is really cute with palm tree lined streets and a nice waterfront. No beach...which obvioulsy I was completely bummed about, but we have already scouted one out nearby, now we just need it to get hot! Our apartment is older, but is huge, I have a few pics I will post eventually!

This weekend is the first game I will see Tony play here and I am super excited! It is a big game for their team, and the gym should be packed. I have heard that the fans are the craziest yet...maybe besides Cantu. So I wil have to report back about the game.

More to come....Ciao tutti :)