Finale

Today we spent a half a day in lovely Rome; and then we hailed a cab to take us to a hotel that was very near Marco Polo Airport.  It has shuttle service to the airport.

That was a good call on Jack's behalf.  Otherwise we'd be up at about 4AM trying to hail a cab from our little apartment.  Not a good idea.  Our plane leaves very early and we had to go through customs, check in - British Airways is a lovely carrier, but their website is dreadful for checking in - and get a refund on the taxes we'd paid on several items.  So, our slate was full at a very early hour.

But we made it, with time to spare.

When a major project is completed at work, there's always a "lessons learned" meeting.  Here is what I've learned from our 6-week sojourn:

• Always, always fly first class across the Big Pond.  I won't fly if I can't.  And you shouldn't.

• It's worth the price of a first class ticket to stay in the British Airways lounge in Heathrow.  I promise.

• Travel with ONE BAG -- a roller.  No more.  I packed a bunch of little short-tailed dresses that I never wore.  Typical of a Las Vegas mentality, I guess.  Shoulda packed more pants; and more underwear.

• We purchased $50 worth of  Las Vegas "trinkets" - key chains with logos, fake casino chips.  We should have doubled down.  Everyone we gave a trinket to was absolutely thrilled.  Another great idea from Jack.  Another good reason why I married him.

• If I had it to do over, I’d have bought this toaster.

January 28, 2014

Today is the last full day to enjoy Italy before returning to Las Vegas.

Yesterday (Sunday) we were in the main shopping district of Rome along with a jillion other people.  The sidewalks are narrow, as are the roads, so navigation is difficult.  That, and about every Italian smokes like a chimney.  Phew!  We decided to give it another try today.

We rounded a corner, and there it was.  The store of perfect dresses.  I know this place.  Herve Leger.

Oooh!  I said.  I want to look in there.  We moved closer.  Then I saw two things that made me want to keep my distance:

• There was very limited inventory; and
• There were no cash registers in the store.

Both were signs of extravagant expense.  I knew moving inside was risky.

Jack spotted a Little Black Dress:  Gosh, that would look nice on you!  Why don’t we go inside and you can try it on!  Whoosh!  We were sucked inside.

Immediately we were swooped upon by an itty-bitty tiny dynamo of a woman (Danger, DANGER, Will Robinson!) who looked me up and down all the while talking up a storm:    Madame, this dress is perfect for your body!  Madame, what size-a shoe do you wear?  Please come with me!  You must try this dress!

What else was there to do but comply?  So - not only did they magically find the right dress size for me from (who knows where), they also supplied me with a pair of stiletto heels to wear with the dress.  Italians.  *sigh*  They sure know how to move a product.

An Herve Leger bandage dress.  You may want to Google it.  Basically, the dress is all you wear because it is skin tight and fits like magic.  Black magic.  I saw it was perfect from the look on Jack’s face when I walked out of the dressing room.

All Herve Legers have women’s names.  Mine is called Lulu.

From our clerk:  Madame, you must-a have this dress - she fits you-a so perfect!  Signore, don’t you-a think so?

Jack!  I whispered.  This dress is very expensive!   He nodded and gave the exuberant sales clerk his credit card. 

This is another reason why I married Jack:  

It looks fabulous on you, he said.  And you’ll always remember this moment when you wear this beautiful dress.

I’ve got - how you say? - the chill bumps on-a my arms!  

Later we were walking down the sidewalk with my new Herve in its beautiful lilac shopping bag.  Knowledgeable women turned to stare at the bag.

And we walked upon the most amazing restaurant:  The Museo Itelier Canova Tadolini.

It’s half-restaurant and half-museum.  Diners sit at tables placed among all sorts of marble sculptures.  Who knew there was such a place?

Tough not to say grace before dining in here.

Jack’s admirers seem to approve of his dining selection.

They don’t seem to care for mine, however.

Hey, you gonna eat that?

A lovely place for the last lovely day.