Paris etc.

It's been a long time, and an awful lot has happened since I last wrote.
We got booted out of the Cenci, and I spent a few days hopping from bed to pull-out couch (thanks to those who hosted me) for a few days.
Mom Dad and Rosie came and we had soooo much fun. Carting everybody around Rome and playing the tour guide was fun, though a little stressful. Christmas in Amalfi was perfect in absolutely every way, only it didn't really feel like a good old New England Christmas, being warm and sunny. No complaints though. Florence was nice, too. It's a really beautiful little city, if kind of a little unreal like Venice. The Uffizi was absolutely overwhelming and incredible.
After Florence we had a few more days together in Rome. It was nice to feel back home for a short time before a long while away. Rosie and I went to see a bellydancer for her birthday. (Rosie - if you have that picture, please send it.)

And now I'm in Paris. There were definitely tears in the train station when leaving, but it's good to be here. New Years was fun - though not so well organized. We were late leaving the house, and were in the train at midnight. It turns out there were no fireworks at the Eiffel Tower so we didn't miss too much.
Today we went out to Versailles, and it really became clear to me how much the warm Roman winter has spoiled me. We stood outside in the line to get in for a good hour and a half in the bitter cold, and only made it about halfway before giving up. It turned out that there was no ticketed entrance for the gardens anyway so we just walked down there, again in the freezing cold. It was absolutely stunning, and I wish I could have seen it when not so distracted by the survival of my fingers and toes.

As usual, pictures promised as soon as I can get them up