Hi guys,
Thank you for the birthday salutations.
On August 8, the day before my birthday, Mrs. Smoke, myself, and 11 other people boarded an airplane in San Francisco and flew via Chicago to Rome, Italy. When we deplaned at 9:30 AM local time, they all wished me a Happy Birthday. What a terrific birthday that was.
First time in Rome, first time in Italy, first time in Europe for that matter. Our tour lasted ten days, including 3 days in Maschito, a small town in southern Italy, home to our grandparents. It was absolutely fantastic. The town was celebrating the feast of Saint Elia, their patron saint. Good parties going on, high Mass celebrated by the bishop, a parade, complete with a marching band (who were surprisingly good) and don't believe that Italian marching bands can't play good jazz music, their version of St. Louis Blues would stand along side any American jazz band. And When the Saints Go Marching In was making me look for a parasol to do a second line strut with. WOW!!
Saw the Amalfi coast line, the Isle of Capri and other places.
Wish I could afford to have a birthday like that every year. I will go back. But maybe not in August next time. It was HOT!! On Saturday in Rome, we boarded a Hop on - Hop Off bus and were touring the city when the sky broke open and the flood waters came upon us. Talk about torrential downpours, boy howdy. Even inside the bus we got wet. Zowie.
But all good times.
John
Topic: HAPPY BIRTHDAY bigsmoke!!! (Read 867 times)