And, the rest of the European adventure...

I don’t even know where to begin this blog.  There are nearly 1000 pictures and hundreds of interesting stories to tell, but who really wants to endure those stories.  So, instead, I am opting to give you little nuggets of my trip, interspersed with my interesting workout routines.  I heard this morning that some people don’t even bother to bring their running gear with them on vacation because then it might not qualify as a vacation, but as someone who was once 196 lbs, I find that continuing my routine on vacation is rather critical and often incredibly rewarding.

I left off with that last blog post from Barcelona having just completed an 8.25 mile run along the beach.  Here's a shot of the beach in Barcelona – notice that because of the 1992 Olympics, there is sculptured artwork everywhere – even along the beaches.

Not exactly sure what the art structure is behind me, but its there...8.25 miles complete!

Once we left Barcelona we had a day at Sea before hitting the shores of southern Italy and I managed to take a less-than-incredible spin class from probably the hottest spin instructor I have ever seen.  I think they employ these chiseled 25 year olds to give us something else to think about while we laugh our way through the less-than-difficult workouts they’ve designed.  Steve would have been disgusted with the stylings of this young man, but at least we all enjoyed the view.  I did ask the striking spin-guy about the running track on Deck 7, inquiring about the length of one lap.  “1/4 mile – so four laps is a mile,” he told me.  Look, he can do math, too!
As soon as the spin class ended, I opted to push out a few miles on the running track so that I would at least get one real workout for the day.  The track was horrible – it was a loop on one side of Deck 7 with the view of the sea/land obstructed by all of the lifeboats.  Not to mention, it was right off the main kitchen area, so there were sweltering hot spots and cold spots, and nary a breeze.  Alas.  I pulled 3 miles in 29:52 and was utterly disgusted with my pace.
However, Tuesday morning, just before docking in Naples, I pushed out another 4 miles to see if I could better myself, but only managed a lousy 39:53.  I was beginning to get discouraged.  As I walked to the end of the track to cool down I saw a small sign that read “1 km = 2.3 laps; 1 mile = 3.8 laps”.  Holy crap – my pace wasn’t as bad as I thought.  I ran up the 6 flights of stairs to my mother (the math major) and said, “Ma, quick – 1 is to 3.8 as X is to 16?”  Turns out, it’s more like 4.25 miles, so my attitude improved measurably within minutes.  (That’s a 9:23 pace, if you’re curious).

Naples was lovely – look, here are some amazing shots of Pompeii.  I think what I liked best about the ruins was the attachment to wine and the male anatomy.  Turns out they really appreciated the penis – as all signs pointed to their houses of prostitution (with frescos depicting interesting sexual positions and sculptures of the penis everywhere).  I don’t remember any of this penis-stuff from the last time I visited Pompeii – however, if memory serves, I was 8 years old and my parents likely chose to keep it PG.

Really?!  A penis above the door to the brothel was REALLY necessary?

One of the more modest Frescos inside the brothel.

Literally, the penis directory, so that you would know which direction to the whores.

And the business district of Pompeii -- with loads of bars!

Really the highlight of the trip to southern Italy was the Amalfi Coast and the views of Positano.  Here – words needn’t be added, if you ask me.  

Breath taking!

Bill and Me

Pam and Bruce!

The following morning before docking in Rome, I pushed out another run on Deck 7, determined to better myself (now that I know its 4.25 miles, not merely 4).  Sure enough, 39:20 and felt great after.
Rome is Rome.  I think there are FAR too many people visiting this ancient city for anyone to truly enjoy themselves.  However, by the second day I realized the Italian (language) from my childhood was still quite good and I was happy to attempt to use it all over the place.  The Coliseum was probably the highlight of the day for me – as I imagined the place crazy with spectators and gladiators thousands of years ago.  All you can see now are the catacombs which laid beneath the surface back then, but its really an incredible site.  Also, if you’ve ever seen the movie “Jumper” you might remember the cool fight scene in the catacombs.
  

Standing super close to the exterior of the Coliseum.

Inside

The catacombs beneath the surface...of course the surface is gone.

Naturally, one cannot go to Rome without spending chunks of time in the Vatican City.  The Basilica and Museum/Sistine Chapel are absolutely breath-taking.  However, with all the poverty around the Vatican City, its tough to walk through the halls of the Vatican knowing that I am surrounded by marble and gold – everywhere.

The ceiling (and a view of the wall to wall people) inside the Vatican Museum.

More looking up in the Vatican Museum

The Center of the Vatican City -- right where the mass is delivered.

Our last day in Italy was in Pisa and Florence (Florence being my favorite of all Italian cities).  However, once again the sites were overcrowded with people.  Pisa is always still a wonder – this tall, slanting structure is literally in the middle of NOTHING – fields and fields of nothing.  You can see if for miles because its literally the only thing around.

Yep, there's always THAT guy in Pisa!

Me and Bill - in Pisa (not that you can tell, or anything)

After Pisa, our mumbling tour-guide took us to Florence, where he quickly realized there were too many people on the tour for him to manage, so he simply ignored ½ of us and asked if any of us just wanted to do our own thing and meet back at the Duomo 3 hours later.  Yep, we opted out and did our own thing – which meant the Academia, Il Duomo and the beautiful market of San Lorenzo was ours.  When we met back at Il Duomo hours later, our tour guide was half in the bag and lost 8 of us en route to the bus.  You have to know, however, that the sites of Florence are still incredible – see the pics!!  Our tour guide however was less than impressive.  My family was fortunate that mom and I speak and understand Italian fairly fluently.  We got along just fine.  I do feel bad for many on that tour, though.

The Trevi Fountain -- and I attempted to cut out all of the people below, so you cant actually see the water.

Bill, Pam, Bruce, Mom and Me -- outside Il Duomo

Side of Il Duomo and the Basilica of Florence.  Hints of Gothic and Arab influences.  (and the crowds)

The next morning we were tendered into Cannes, France.  AND, as luck would have it, it was the last weekend of the Film Festival.  The place was CRAZY with fans attempting to get a glance at a star.  We saw helicopter after helicopter land on the beach and whisk away celebrities, but never got close enough to see who they were.  My mom was REALLY hopeful to get a marriage proposal from Sean Connery, so we were on the look-out the entire day, but he never appeared.  Poor mom – maybe next year.  The only thing I wanted to do in Cannes was go to the beach and swim in the Mediterranean, since it was the first opportunity to do so.  All of the stops in Italy had been ports of trade, as opposed to beaches – so of course I wanted to swim.  Fortunately, mom and Bill were willing to have lunch at a beachside restaurant where I could swim off their private area.  There were even changing rooms in the restaurant – how very cool!

We took a train ride around Cannes -- well, everyone in Cannes did.

Me, in the Med -- it was 60 degrees and VERY salty!

Our last day of the trip was in Marseilles, France.  I managed to squeeze in one last run on the ship before we went on our tour and pulled a 38:47 (yep, a 9:07 pace and I was on cloud 9).  Marceilles was by far the best day of the trip, if you asked me.  We had an amazing private tour that simply included the 5 of us.  We went to the Aix En Provence area and enjoyed a hour at their street market with vendors galore – everything from fabrics to artistic jewelry and an entire section of fresh foods: fruits,veggies, cheese and meat!  We toured Cezanne’s studio and inspiration-grounds and then our guide (Silvio) brought us to an amazing winery where we sampled a dozen whites, rose’s and reds.  It was an incredible afternoon.  The tour ended with a downtown view of Marceilles and a mountain top view from the Notre Dam de la Guarde where you could see all of Marceilles and its surrounding communities from the church.  

Me in Cezanne's Garden

The vineyards were everywhere!

As were the poppy fields!

Our wine adventure!

Getting our lesson!

Enjoying our wines!

Notre Dam de la Guarde

Looking out at Marceilles from Notre Dam

It was an amazing way to end our trip!  I’ll admit, the 17 hour flight day (yesterday) was no fun at all, but at least I had Bill at my side and movies to watch.
As a gift upon my return, Matt agreed to head out for a 5am ride with me this morning.  I have no idea if I slept at all, last night, but it had been 2 weeks since I really rode a bike and nearly a month since my last ride with Matt (or Jim or Jacqui), so I was thrilled to have some company.  And, as usual, Matt wrecked me on our 20 miles and turned me to dust on our last hill.  (Utter and complete embarrassment, my friends!)  Oh, its good to be back with my favorite people, again – even if they make me look weak.

And, it wouldn't be a MerLesson without a pic from today, right?!

To add insult to injury, I went to my gym right after the difficult ride and hopped in the pool with my heavy legs.  I barely eeked out 1000 meters, but I can tell you that I feel whole again.
I just want to take a moment to thank my mom, Uncle Bruce, Aunt Pam and Bill for putting up with me on this trip.  Sometimes I turn into a child around my mom and family – I just hope they know that I love them very much and am thrilled we all had the chance to make this trip happen!  Success!