Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

The Italians are on to Something

Walking shoes while traveling

 

 

Last week when we were in Rome, French Husband had this brilliant idea, "Let's walk to the coliseum." He calculated that it would be about seven miles round trip. I asked him what was wrong with a Bus? Taxi? Metro? Moped? Bike? He grabbed my arm, "It is good for us, let's go." Then he added, "No stopping, no looking which means no peeking into shops… just follow me." I knew the seven miles would be ten miles because French Husband has a bad habit of getting lost.

We walked. 

We got lost.

We stopped for a hot chocolate that was like pudding, I love Italy.

We walked some more.

And stopped for a fried zucchini mozzarella panini.

We walked, and walked and stopped at every ruin which means we stopped every two feet.

We stopped for another hot chocolate, because French Husband loves chocolate.

Walking as we did in Rome was growing on me, literally.

 

 

Ponte Sant’Angelo, Bridge Rome Italy

 

We walked across the bridge to see the Ponte Sant’Angelo.

I stopped to take a photo with my cell phone. French Husband gave me that look that said, "Keep moving." 

I took one photo while praying to the angels of Ponte Sant’Angelo that it would turn out

Then raced on to catch Mr. F. H.

 

Walking in Rome

 

"A photo to prove we made it."

I caught my reflection in his sunglasses.

I was in my glory, not because of the several hot chocolates, simply because what is there not to love about walking around Rome, and around and around the coliseum?

 

 

Victor Emmanuel II Monument Rome Italy

 

The angels at the Victor Emmanuel II Monument made me think what an amazing view they must have. To have Rome under their wings. I imagined that they came down to walk alongside of us. I teased, "I bet it looks entirely different down here?" They fluffed their wings, and gave it back to me, "I bet you would like to have wings instead of those scuffed shoes?"

They thought they had the last laugh until they watched French Husband down another hot chocolate. Made them realize that wings are one thing, but chocolate is heaven on earth.

French Husband asked, "What are you thinking about?"

Angels and chocolate.

He shook his head.

 

 

Make pasta not war

 

 

As we walked back French Husband thought about the ruins, the history, the enourmous amount of beauty Rome has to offer, "We must come again and again."

 

Comments

29 responses to “The Italians are on to Something”

  1. RebeccaNYC

    As a New Yorker, I don’t really like visiting cities on my vacation. So it took me completely by surprise when I visited Rome (under protest) a few years ago. I fell in deep, deep love. I cannot wait to go back in May! And I am hoping to do just what you did…walk and walk and walk. (I want your shoes, btw)

    Reply
  2. Sharon Mattern

    Great sign in your last picture….good advice!

    Reply
  3. Marilyn

    Ahhh to be lost in Rome. I do remember doing just that. I think your walk sounds just wonderful, we didn’t stop for chocolate, but pizza and a salad was on our agenda. We were heading for St.Peter’s and did finally make it.

    Reply
  4. Sue

    I am so jealous!!! I am dying to go to Rome. I want to take my artist daughter and do exactly what you did – definitely including the frequent chocolate breaks!

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  5. liz

    I must admit, Roma is my addiction! I have been to the ‘Eternal City’ at least 10 times, and I am always ready to get back there as fast as I can. So happy that you love it too! Was there this past October/November and planning to be there again this June. And the hot chocolate is to die for! I so remember the very first one I had. Unforgettable!!!

    Reply
  6. Franca Bollo

    Ya’ll can have Paris. I’ll take Rome … every time.

    Reply
  7. Betty Parker

    Corey, another thing we have in common…I love Italy! I love to eat! especially chocolate.

    Reply
  8. Charlotte

    Hi!
    1) I’m very jealous, I love Rome!
    2) where did you get your shoes?! They are so nice!

    Reply
  9. Cathi

    I too love Rome, and that’s exactly what we did – Walk, walk, walk, eat, walk, walk, eat and repeat! I can’t wait to go back! xxoo

    Reply
  10. suzanna

    May I add: “with a French husband that loves chocolate” loL
    and I see something new, no beard…..lol…….fun to be over there, to go to other countries so easily…..here we go across the state line, but not other fabulous countries when we want…..sounds fab ! xo

    Reply
  11. Jenny M

    My husband took me to Italy for my 50th…our first trip to an European country. We were in 7th heaven walking around Rome! We would love to return one day.

    Reply
  12. Diogenes

    Corey, if you have not seen the film “The Great Beauty,” I cannot recommend it enough. It won best foreign film this year and is entirely set in Rome. Here’s the trailer:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avHJvdRPmus

    Reply
  13. Kathie B

    Fried zucchini mozzarella panini — did you snap a picture of it, for another day’s post? I’d love to see it, to figure out how to make it. Sounds scrumptious!

    Reply
  14. jend’isère

    Those Romans built roads which still stand extending through Europe. Doubtfully without hot chocolate to charge them. Thanks for taking us along yours. Awaiting more happy trails…

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  15. 24/7 in France

    I visited Rome only for one day, and it was by car – a nightmare to drive around! Will have to go back.

    Reply
  16. TEXAS FRANCOPHILE

    You two are the most fun!!!ok I’m thinking of a trip! Fly in to Paris, fast train to Marseilles, visit your village and Annie (so I can visualize you in your world) then off we go to Italy!!! Yann guiding us, as we beg for brocante stops….chocolate, history, ruins, pasta, beauty….ahhhh….

    Reply
  17. CathyS

    We spent a week in Rome 30 years ago! Camped outside the city…Camping Fabulous,,,every day we would take the bus….the short underground…another bus and finally arrive at the USO Ouse children were 4,6,and 8 at the time and we were traveling with my in-laws. Quite a different scenario, but same results! Walking, beauty overload, more walking and getting lost every single day. But lost in Rome is thrilling. We even ended up in a parade! Rome is not to be missed. How great foul I am to have those memories. We were at John Paul I last audience! Wow

    Reply
  18. La Contessa

    YOu are so LUCKY to spend so much time with FH.Do you know that??
    My husband grew up in ROME!Somehow, when you two come back HOME to CALIFORNIA we need to get you here so you can meet MY ITALIAN HUSBAND!
    HE COOKS!!!!!!!!!!
    XOXXO

    Reply
  19. new pc games

    I was very interested in the article, it’s quite inspiring I should admit. I like visiting you site since I always come across interesting articles like this one.Great Job, I greatly appreciate that.Do Keep sharing! Regards

    Reply
  20. Lynne

    Oh deary . . . thank you for stirring up my memories of my walking in Rome . . . I am smiling, some tears, and left with a sparkle in my day . . . FH had a grand idea . . .

    Reply
  21. Karen Carson

    I was in Roma last April for four days…dying to go back! I think we walked many miles as well! No hot chocolate but many cappuccino!

    Reply
  22. Kathie B

    There’s even a Roman road in Provence near where Corey and Yann live! Saw it, thought about Caesar’s army building it, traipsing through those woods (thanks to my high school Latin teachers).

    Reply
  23. Kathie B

    Guess I should’ve written something like “Veni, Vidi, Fotografi!”

    Reply
  24. robyn woodman

    Thank you for this post, Corey. I love, love, love Rome. Walking and stopping…the best. 🙂

    Reply
  25. Kiki

    oh dear….. there IS something going on here…. Last week I had this long conversation about Italy and the Italian language! I said IF I could live in Italy I would pack my suitcases in 3′ flat and be on my way – I LOVE the Italian language and guess what: This week I FINALLY started a book I bought some two years ago in England: Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert and the first part is mostly about ITALY and Rome….. LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT IT (except the politics but then I don’t really care for the French one ‘non plus’….) – Read the book, take the trip, eat, pray and love 🙂

    Reply
  26. Heather

    I adore Rome. I would go every weekend if I could! Lovely Post, Corey.

    Reply
  27. Teddee Grace

    We pine for Paris. The French pine for Rome. Your photo of the Ponte Sant’Angelo is beautiful. I’m glad you didn’t obey.

    Reply
  28. Aimee

    I adore setting off in Rome, with no direction in mind, letting my feet find their own path. Free to explore the past, meeting myself wherever I go.

    Reply
  29. Gracie

    I’ve always thought that to get to know a place you have to walk around….no matter how big the place is, walking is the best way to appreciate every corner. Too bad you were so close and we didn’t met….

    Reply

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