We arrived in Rome and took the subway to Vatican City. Dodging rain drops, crowds and the slippery cobblestone sidewalks we made the 5 block walk to the gates of Vatican City. Our timing was perfect and we cleared the security and headed for the Bronze Door to pick up our reserved tickets for our public audience with John Paul. There was no waiting or ques. The Pope mobile entered St Peters Square passing by us 20ft maybe. Our seats were very close to the stage and we were outside even though it was raining thus it was not too crowded. They announced us, “we welcome the pilgrims from Canada and Quebec” and everyone clapped, we giggled.

The Museum tour was spectacular and well worth it. The treasures and opulence are unbelievable. We were very impressed with the Sistine Chapel. The St Peter’s Basilica was a highlight and I was awestruck standing in front of the Pieta. We did manage to walk around the Ancient Collusium and take a few pictures before we had to dash back to the train station to return to Florence. It was the perfect day and it didn’t matter that we did not get to the other sites.

I was bragging to everyone that if,”I could do the three Disney theme parks in a day towing 3 kids and a husband”, then “I could certainly handle Rome in a day taking in all its wonder. Well guess what? We only managed to do 3 things on our tight schedule, squeezing in as much rubbernecking as possible. What a glorious day it was, rain and all.
Our adventure started at 5:30am awakening, day bags packed and an hours drive ahead of us to catch the Eurostar (bullet train) from Florence. The tickets were pre paid and non refundable so we were pressured to catch that early morning train to Rome. We got lost in the buzz of early morning chaotic rush hour and the traffic rotarys were turning us around. Panicking we asked a beautiful twentysomething girl with flowing blonde curls, wearing a white bubble style vest, riding a bicycle for direction. She motioned for us to follow her and blindly we did. She led us directly to the train station. We parked in the station underground parking lot and found a spot immediately. Then it was a mad dash to run through the train terminal like “the Amazing Race” to catch our train. We made it with no time to spare as the train departed 3min after we found our reserved seats. phew!!! We called her our Florentine Angel for without her help we would truly have missed this memorable day ahead of us. It was Divine Intervention I do believe, she made this day possible. She came out of nowhere when we were in need, gave us guidance, made sure we were on the right path and in a blink she was gone.

On Saturday Cecile celebrated her 73rd Birthday. She was sporting a regal purple fiberglass cast on her wrist. Last Monday she slipped on the parquet flooring in her condo and took a spill. Thank goodness she did not break her hip like most seniors seem to do. I took her to the hospital and spent from 4 till midnight in emerg. She says that she is feeling really handicapped learning to use her left hand for everything. We surprised her with a pumpkin cheesecake and bags of gifts and goodies. She looks great and has lots of energy despite her setback.

Vanessa turned 25 yesterday. My how the years fly by and she says that she still gets carded at the bars and at restaurants. We surprised her yesterday evening and dropped in for a glass of champaigne and smoked salmon canapes. Nick bought her a Godiva teddybear holding a box of truffles. She loved it.

Hallowe’en is haunting in Harwich! The sun has set and the moon is almost full. I think I saw a witch fly across the sky. The treats are tasty at the Gillier’s this year so what kind of a trick can you do?
Hark, I hear a tap, tap, tap on yonder door…time to scare some kids! You can check out some scary pictures here.

[Posted by Tom Harp] My summer vacation was postponed until a couple of weeks ago. Schedule at work places certain demands on my time. I am attaching some photos from the trip.
Uncle Ted and Mum are both well. Mum is definitely slowing down but what the heck she turned 89 on October 13.

Well, well, well look at the date. Nicole is now officially a debutante. Yesterday must have been an exciting time at your place. Did you have a big party? We were all thinking of you when we were having our dinner and we toasted “HB to Nicole”. I can still remember you taking your first steps at our house. I think you were nine months old and you have never stopped moving since. Have fun. With love from the Bakos’.

We got home this afternoon just before lunch. The flight from Boston was blue sky and clear. We flew low so we could see the trees turning colors through New England. We flew right over Niagara Falls, Welland canal and virtually right over our house. It was so neat. The prompter on the plane said snow in Calgary so when I logged onto the blog I went straight to the webcam and screamed. I feel sorry for you guys out west. I am still on Collo Lungo time, speed, warm weather and euphoria. Lets see how long this lasts.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Gillier’s. What a lovely weekend we have had! Lots of fun with family and friends.

Laura had a double feature movie, pizza/wing night with her friends on Friday. We did yard work on Saturday, grocery shopping and I made a delicious salmon meal that was inspired from a cooking show on Food network.
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Brian got his braces off today. He is thrilled and has his wonderful smile once again. He will have to wear a retainer at bedtime for awhile so that his teeth do not shift around. One more thing to get used to. Stephen’s have already shifted slightly on the bottom with his Wisdom teeth erupting.