Wendy and Tia's Big Adventure

Tia and I were not only design business partners for 24 years but friends sharing numerous adventures and world travel. I only had to walk 450 steps from my house to hers in Irvine, CA.

Tia's parents both passed away this year and after taking care of her Mom, it was time for a vacation.

London serves as a good starting point. Kew Gardens, Dishoom-best Irani/Mumbai restaurant, Victoria and Albert Museum's new Alice in Wonderland exhibit, Knightsbridge-Harrods, walking Hyde Park, Old Spitalfields Market, visiting Covent Gardens, Carnaby Street and ending up attending Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cinderella musical.

Swinging Carnaby Street. The London Fashion and Music scene in the 60's, 70's, 80's. From the Kinks to Tom Jones, Twiggy and Mary Quant, it was where Paul met Linda (McCartney in case you are wondering).

We have a funny shtick when someone asks us "are you sisters"? I would say yes, she is my older sister which is true, by 6 months. Of course they asked us again in London. I always wanted a sister.

Neal's Yard Dairies is London's most famous cheese store with a Monty Python skit about their cheese selection. The owner, Randolph Hodgson, was a big part of reviving cheese making in the UK and as a consequence re-gentrifying Covent Gardens in the late 1970's.

Farmhouse cheese making is what I would call cow/sheep-to-cheese. The same farm that produces the milk makes the cheese. Due to Hodgson's influence and support of the enterprising individuals making cheese there are more farmhouse cheese makers in the UK than in France.

Gorgeous weather, sights and exploring together. Bird's eye view of Bath and the Royal Crescent. No one knows a keen fact of tv, music, fashion and other nonsensical 60's 70's and 80's life better than us. Bands, we share common memories, name a movie actor and the other one knows all the details of his private life, commercials we both know the jingle. It's funny how reassuring that is.

Groups of ladies dressed up as modern Mary Poppins strolled past us in Bath. Modern Nannies attending the nearby Norland College for Nannies.

Wells Cathedral and a trip through the Cotswold with their sublime beauty and thatched roofs. Partridges were all over the roads and fields scattering as we drove past.

Rome Italy. We were off to see Italy for some sun, gelato, vespas and ancient sites.

There are 13 ancient obelisks in Rome, the most in any city.

Benito Mussolini delivered his speeches from the center window in the middle photo and we passed by Pinocchio.

One of my favorite views from Aventine Hill. Framing the Vatican in the distance.

Our guide Chiara drinking from the many public fountains in the city. Chiara took us to see some of the great art masterpieces in just a few of the 900 churches in Rome. Our airbnb apartment overlooked the Pantheon.

Castel Sant'Angelo, Hadrian's mausoleum. Reading the "Memoirs of Hadrian" gave me a broader understanding of Rome in the 2nd century AD under his rule. He is considered one of the 5 good emperors due to: their good works, respect for the people and respect for the power of the Senate. Lesson for today's politicians.

SuperBad.

Transportation a la Romano.

La Dolce Vita. Pizza in Trastevere, well-stocked bodega and Gelato Tartufo in Piazza Navona.

Cracking ourselves up at Trevi Fountain. Laughter, another important food group.

"Meet me at the Spanish Steps" was an often used phrase in Rome. The Spanish Steps have endured the test of time until now. In 2019 people were banned from sitting on the steps. The police are there to make sure no one lingers too long. The new law prohibits acts that are "not compatible with the historic and artistic decorum" of Rome's center. $450 fine.

Same with Trevi Fountain. Tia and I couldn't do our Anita Ekberg dip in the fountain. But Tia could throw a coin in the fountain and make her wish. Her wish probably has something to do with Covid testing. Now I know she should have thrown the coin over her left shoulder with her right hand for a proper wish and perhaps her flight home wouldn't have cancelled.

Halloween looms large all over the world. The colors of autumn back in Bath.