Anne Marie's Post: Ostia/ Rome (Day 5)

Morning started with us being awakened to the tune of "Rack City" via Astrid's phone. This is the part where I'm thankful that I sleep with earplugs. If you haven't heard this song, please save yourself and DON'T check it up on iTunes! A quick breakfast interspersed with jockeying for space in our disgusting smelling bathroom, and we were out the door. Duet finals were not starting until 7 pm and we weren't allowed to watch figures (this changed later) so we had the day to do some sightseeing. We started the day in Ostia Antica which was the ancient port city of Rome. The ruins are quite spectacular and are quite accessible. After going through the ruins in Rome where everything is fenced off or viewable only from a distance, these ruins are quite interactive. We were able to climb stairs and walk in old buildings we were even able to climb the stairs of their amphitheatre and sit in the seats! Apparently this building is still use, as it was used to host a movie night the previous evening. Unfortunately there is limited shade and my two fair skinned redheads reached the limit of their heat tolerance rather quickly. It was time to catch the train to Rome. As is the case while travelling in Europe, it is hit and miss in terms of what attractions may be under construction. When we were in Rome two years ago the Tritan Fountain was under construction--but now it is open! We started our tour of Rome at this fountain, but realized it was just too hot to be moving around much. We popped into a couple of dress shops, but the layer of sweat covering everyone was enough of a deterrent that we didn't try anything on. We walked down a little side street in pursuit of shade and happened upon a fabulous restaurant called Accademia. They offered a number of gluten free options which is always a bonus for us. When they took our drink order they asked me if I would like a medium or large coke zero. I ordered a large pop and a glass of prosecco, When they brought the drinks out we all burst out laughing and Astrid asked,"Are we in the United States?" This is so unusual for Europe, where most pops are 130 ml! If you have seen my Facebook page you can check out the unflattering picture of me holding two huge glasses! The food was fabulous, but definitely on the pricey side! It was worth it for the couple of refuge it provided from the sun! The girls had their hearts set on doing some more shopping, so we walked through the area below the Spanish Steps with all the expensive shops. They had passed by a Jimmy Choo store a couple of days before and really wanted to check it out. We found the store and headed inside. So it has come to my attention recently, that some people consider our family to be "granola"' a thought that seemed to be shared by the sales clerk as we headed in wearing Birks and runners, speed shorts and I was wearing some MEC gear. She looked at me as if to say "there is no way this woman could walk in a pair of heels." This position was strengthened when Britta looked up at the saleswoman and asked, "Can we touch them?" I didn't know if I should laugh or cry! Travelling with Uli is always interesting as he has the most unbelievable sense of direction I have ever seen, as do I, but in the complete opposite sense. I can be walking down the mall (one I've been to a million in times), walk into a shop, come out and 99% of the time turn the wrong direction. That being said, you can understand that we like to let Uli lead the way. This occasionally proves problematic as he likes to stop--frequently--to take pictures. He will tell us to just go ahead and he will catch up--never a good plan. Thanks to cell phone technology we were able to find each other at the Trevi fountain, throw our coins in and make a wish to return one day. It was getting late and we had to head back to Ostia and the pool for duet final. A quick stop at the Spanish Steps and a few smelly metro rides brought us to the pool just in time for the competition to start. Being such a reserved individual (NOT) it was really out of my comfort zone to bellow and cheer Paige and Emily on to a third place finish and a bronze medal for Canada! Well done girls! We are so proud of you! Astrid and Britta had had their fill of heat so opted out of dinner. We stopped at a market and got them some meat and cheese and dropped them at the hotel. Uli and I headed into the heart of Ostia's restaurant area to meet up with Mary O'Brien and her husband Brendan as well as her sister Jo and her husband Dan. Unbeknownst to me, another group of our parents were at the table beside us. I was so hot and sweaty when we got there that it took me at least 5 minutes to realize they were there. My apologies to all, I felt like a heel! We had a wonder time with Mary and her family and it is only too bad that there won't be more opportunities to all get together. I knew the men were getting along famously, when a keg holding 3 litres of beer showed up at the table! Jo and Dan (along with Mary and Brendan) gave us some excellent suggestions regarding the upcoming Irish leg of the trip! We may have to make some adjustment to our itinerary! Thanks to Mary and Brendan for treating us to a lovely dinner! It was a beautiful walk back home and we were shocked to see that it was 2 am! We tiptoed in, so as not to wake the girls. I think we were moderately successful. I'm sure the roles will be reversed soon enough.