TGIF (tomorrow)!!!!

Oh man... today was an adventure in itself!
Start the day heading out to the same school I was at yesterday. Kids are a little unruly, but school is quite nice, though on the other side of town.  I am almost there, but one tube change away and a short walk. EXCEPT the tube is delayed because a train broke down up the line and is going to be 15 minutes. No worries, I know that I can jump on another line and the walk is a little longer but I have plenty of time. I quickly call the agency to let them know and get the new walking directions. Directions are "Stepney Green station: walk up Globe Rd. Left on Portland Rd...." Sounds easy enough. Except I go out of the station and start walking 'up' the road and up and walking still and now am at the next tube station?? I call the agency and they spend a good 10 minutes trying to figure out where I am as I explain to them where I have come from, how far I walked and the crossroads I am standing on. Now time is ticking away, and I am thankful I left early.
They finally figure out where I am and tell me to turn around. Apparently I have gone North when I was supposed to go East. Oh, my bad, I left my compass at home this morning! So they are still telling me go up Globe Rd. I say "Aren't I ON Globe Rd??"  The response, "No you had to turn left on Globe Rd". Now I LOSE IT!! Your directions say go up Globe Rd, they do not say turn out of the station then TURN LEFT on Globe Rd! I finally back track basically all the way to the station I started at, it is now close to 8:30, and they finally get me proper directions so I can get to the school. Now the fun really begins...
I get transfered to someone else at the agency who now begins sternly lecturing me and telling me I better apologize for being late. How the head is calling them asking where I am since I was there the day before why am I late. I need to go in and apologize and I am making the agency look bad by being late.  Ummmmmm SORRY??!!? Do you not think I realize that I am going to be late? I wasn't exactly lounging in my jammies all morning enjoying a nice cappuccino and freshly baked muffin. I was running between tube platforms trying to get there on time, I was working up a sweat walking around the city. YOU are making ME look bad because you are unable to give proper walking directions.
Of course this was all in my head.  What really happened was I started crying and finally shouted into my phone "I REALIZE I SHOULDN'T BE LATE, CAN YOU STOP SCREAMING AT ME" and then I hung up.. But at least they got the point and later on they felt bad and apologized.
Oh, I bet you think that is where my bad day ended. Well, you would be wrong. Kids are haywire.. whatever, nothing new. Until the afternoon, when one kid who was being annoying all day suddenly makes annoying noises and starts flailing slightly. I am about to really lay into him until I realize he is now on the floor having a seizure. Fabulous. I get the rest of the kids out of the class and instruct the TA's to get someone to help ASAP.
I survive the day, only to make a nearly 2 hour journey home due to signal failure delays on the tube... Just peachy.

And the lesson learned in all of this you ask?
ALWAYS check the calendar and book off full moon days! Bahh...

Vatican

Outside the Vatican

Valentine's Day <3


We jumped on the metro for the Vatican and met up with a tour guide for our tour of the Vatican. With my flight that evening we wanted to get the most out of this day and a tour is usually the best bet. Our tour guide was Canadian and very good. The Vatican is HUGE! Strange to pass through the metal detectors and security as you actually leave Rome when you enter Vatican City.

Vatican courtyard

We had another gorgeous day. The tour stared in a lovely courtyard, then wound through the Vatican museums which were filled with breathtaking paintings, sculptures and tapestries. One could spend months, even years, soaking in the beauty packed into these museums.  Of course the crowning jewel is the Sistine Chapel with its amazing frescoes.  Again, words and pictures cannot even begin to do justice!

Sistine Chapel

St Peter's Square

After the whirlwind tour we were tired, hungry and running short on time.We made a quick stop to see St Peter's Square before heading back towards the hotel.  I could not believe how big it is. It would certainly be quite the experience to be in that square when it is packed with people to see the Pope. It can hold almost a quarter of a million people!
We stopped at a pizzeria (but of course!) for some lunch, then I packed up my things and headed for the train station.  Made it back to London in time to get organized for work the next day and head to bed.

St Peter's Square

Today was a dreary drizzly day, welcome back to London.. I got called to work at a school tomorrow and Thursday called Bangamandhu.. not even joking. The agency told me to bring my A game, show up early etc.  They said that the school was contemplating not using this agency any more so they had to send in the big guns - apparently that is me? Good to know that they have faith in me, and good to know this is why I am getting lots of work, a little nervous what this school will bring. Got the "it could be tough" warning.  But it will go by quick enough. Mom and Chris arrive in London Thursday night. Friday we go to see Billy Elliot and Sunday we head to Paris for a couple nights. What a life!!

Roma!

Gelato on the Spanish Steps

Friday night I left my place just after 10 to go to Gatwick. My flight to Rome left before 7 making check in quite early and difficult to get to on transit, and pricy by taxi!
Found a nice little spot to curl up and got a little sleep. Slept about an hour at a time before getting sore and waking up to roll over and readjust. Just before 5 I decided to check in. Tried to get a little more rest while I waited to go to my gate. Flight went well and before I knew it my 2 hour flight was descending and I was in Roma!!

As soon as I got on the train I was thinking his feels like Mexico or Cuba! The air was warm :) on the train ride to town I even spotted some palm trees and even cactus! Now we're talking.

Higgly with gelato on the steps :)

Managed to get from the train to the hotel, checked in, mapped out what I wanted to see and headed out. Toured around the city and got some great photos. Took a break once I got to the Spanish steps and enjoyed some gelato. I brought a class mascot from my school - Higgly the elephant- since the kids thought it would be cool if he got to go on a trip. So I took Higgly's picture on the steps too! Walked a bit more til my feet started to hate me then went back to the hotel to await the arrival of Mom & Chris.

Trevi Fountain by night

Once they arrived we set out towards Piazza Navona for dinner in a pizzeria. They couldn't believe that after one afternoon I could pretty much find my way around. Guess I'm getting used to exploring on foot!

<3 Rome!

This morning we wanted to do the Ancient City. We jumped on a packed city bus to save some walking. A grubby little lady with her maybe 9 year old daughter and tiny baby got on just after us. Mom makes a comment about the baby as the lady squishes right in between us.


A few minutes later the lady behind me says watch your pockets. I reach for mine and all is good but realize I can't see the lady's hand under her baby blanket and she is pressed against Mom. I grabbed her hand, which was in mom's purse just as she pulls it out. Now I'm reefing on her hand and telling Mom her purse is unzipped. The guy behind me is now yelling and swearing at the gypsy about how she's a disgrace to the country. I tell Mom we're getting off this bus. As we step out she sees her wallet on the floor of the bus. We figure out later that by the time I grabbed the gypsy she already had the wallet and most likely passed it to the daughter who cleaned out the cash then dropped it on the flood of the commotion I was creating.

Colosseum

Welcome to Rome!! We were a little shaken, but nothing we could do..

Enjoyed another day of walking and saw all the big sights of the ancient city. Colosseum, Roman forum, Pantheon.. Amazing!

Colosseum in background and Roman Forum

Now we are tired and relaxing before a day at the Vatican tomorrow.

Colosseum by night with Constantine's arch

Love the Spanish Steps

Big wine, small beer?