Visiting Rome

Its been just over 10 months since I travelled out of the country and it really seemed for ever....I had almost forgotten what to take while travelling as a family...We pinned down on Rome ( one must see cities!) as we were going during term time and couldn't afford to take the girls out longer.

So we decided we leave on an early Sunday morning flight so that we can do some sightseeing even on Sunday.All through I will mention things "What did I learn?"I thinks that's what will help any one visiting Rome next time.

the taxi drive from the airport to the apartment took us an hour and we were ready to begin exploring Rome by 1 PM.

We started with The Colosseum, followed by a tour guide who took us to Arch of Constantine,Arch of Titus and Palatine Hill.It will take you a good 3 hrs if you really like to immerse yourself what happened 2000 years ago....Amazing perspective on Roman History!

We walked back to the apartment only 10 minutes away after having dinner.and ice creams...being

We began the next day with visiting St Peters Basilica.....it truly shows the role of Christianity.....The opulence of the building's interior bears true testimony to the enormous wealth of the Catholic Church!

The Vatican Museum was a true eye opener ....The Sistine Chapel ....The museum seemed endless....

Post which we ended up shopping around Piazza di Spagna......the streets were lined up with all renowned brands and windows display on shops were outstanding...

Day 3 we decided to venture out on an open bus tour ....so that we don't miss any significant landmark of Rome. We visited the Pantheon ,Piazza Navona.....and finally after lunch decided to go shopping!We were lucky to get a 48 hrs pass as a special offer with kids free!


Our first mishap so shall I say unfortunate incident occurred....our camera fell down though we could continue to click pictures and the zoom functionality had stopped functioning!We were grateful it retained all pictures taken and it still worked.! But that was not the most disturbing experience I personally had.....I was nearly pickpocketed!  ( will write that on a separate post don't want you to be put off!)

We then took a bus to Porta di Roma shopping center .It is the largest shopping center in Italy and one of the most modern in Europe, with a total GLA of 97,000 m².We accidentally discovered it while trying to go to the fashion district which we didnt go as it was very far! Porta di Roma offers a good variety of fashion and daily needs which makes the shopping center attractive for leisure shopping and functional shopping. Needless to say we didn't visit all shops but loved the shopping there...We returned late as it a good one hour ride by bus from the main Terminal.....close to where we stayed.....

The next morning we were back on our Open Bus to have a final look at city of Rome.We stopped at Capitoline Museums and Piazza di Spagna.....We didn't have much time as we were warned of some political demonstration may delay traffic.....
We took the Airport express back to the airport to experience the Italian railway service.There was a lot of nice shops in the airport although we hardly had time to look around!

All of us were happy to be back in our own beds at home after the "Roman Holiday"!



Photos ...click on the link!





What did I learn?

1.We figured out for a 3 to 5 days trip from Gatwick its always better for us to drive and park at the airport!It is cheaper than booking the cheapest taxi to and fro .Also when you are in your own car you kind of feel your journey starts only when you reach the airport.

2. Although I have used several budget flights this is the first time I had experience of first come first serve seating although printing your baording pass and checking in does speed up the process at the airport as you can directly use the baggage drop only lane.So as soon as you drop the bags, it is better to queue up at the gate if you have any specific preference for the seat!

3. The cheapest and fastest way to get around was to buy a 3 day BIG Ticket ....travel is free fo children on with a 11 Euro ticket you can go around as much as you want!It will amaze you they have only two lines A or B with only one Terminal!

4. Rome was a great place to shop for curios and clothes!
and

5. Finally .....how close I was to be pickpocketed!........so be  VIGILANT all times!

Eleven Plus Exams

Well most of my summer has gone tutoring my daughter for these dreadful exams.

I found this video useful to explain the concept to one of my students.

Hope you find it useful!

Families in Transition

1. A moved from Taipei to Singapore
2. A moved from Mumbai to New York
3. A moved from Dubai to Singapore
4. A moved from Oman to Kochi
5. A moved from Taipei to Kualalumpur
6. A moved from Taipei to London
7. C moved from Taipei to Beijing
8. C moved from Nagoya to Chengdu
9. D moved from London to Kochi
10. D moved from Taipei to London
11. D moved from Dubai to Hongkong
12. G moved from Taipei to Portland
13. M moved from Taipei to North Carolina
14. M moved from London to Mumbai
15. N moved from Taipei to Bangkok
16. N moved from Mumbai to Singapore
17. P moved from Taipei to Dhaka
18. S moved from Mumbai to Wellington
19. S moved from Seoul to Beijing
20. S moved from Singapore to Sydney
21. S moved from Riyadh to Singapore
22. S moved from Jakarta to Hongkong
23. S moved from Taipei to Washington

I just listed most of the families that moved this summer who was personally known to us. Its amazing how Families transition each move. If you think they sound exciting , every move is equally painful in terms of logistics and all these are families who move their homes to new countries some of them which they may have never been to or heard of. Some movements are even across continents and a typical transition will take between 3 to 6 months from getting household effects shipped to the children finding their new friends in the next environment.

While most of the moves as is obvious are world class cities there are some like a move to Chengdu can be very daunting. It’s a city where you are likely to have not heard of or wondering what kind of schools and homes you would find and another 5 dozens questions that would follow with a typical move.

In this world of networking I feel very privileged sometimes how you can help out…so when my friend was moving to chengdu and it was announced on FB my first reaction was “Oh my God “ that’s a difficult move with two preteen girls to a city where English Language would be a rarity.I quickly responed that I knew two families who had moved there previously in 2007 and 2008 without any idea whether they still live there. Much to my surprise I immediately got am email saying she would be grateful if I can put her in touch with them.

So I did what I am at best dug out emails dating back over 5 years and hoped they still worked. I wrote to one of them and almost got an immediate response and also confirmed they lived there …..wow! It’s a great feeling if you help some one when you live so far away.

I turn 38

Not a major milestone yet I like to jot down what was my typical day!.It will bring memories to my daughters if they ever decide to check back.

One thing I always think what did my Mom do when she was 38.It just helps me to put things in persepctive.

When my Mom turned 38 I was almost 18 and in college doing my first year of undergrad.Getting me married in couple of years was definitely on the agenda for my folks.

I wonder what my daughters will be doing when they turn 38,hopefully they will be well settled in life....

Here I am 38 and tackling a 10 and 7 year old.Hardly can be compared.It was one of the rare birthdays Sedj was in town well I had to attend a training program to attend and he had a flight to catch by noon.But he did go out of the way to get me a nice card and wish me before we got onto our usual chores.

Its my second birthday in UK and I can say I feel very settled.I spent significant time in schools and am on the governing body of two of them.

Other activity that takes time is tutoring my girls..well thats been there for sometime and continues I am also considering taking up tutoring children between 7 and 11.

I have enrolled for CIMA which is a management accounting course - a tough one and hopes to puruse it so that at 40 I can seriously consider getting back to workforce with an updated qualification.

I have finally started swimming lessons and hopefully will be an ace swimmer in couple of months.Hope my instructor is there till then.

and the last thing on agenda as has been for the last 6 years is Reduce as in lose weight....it seems to be never happening any suggestions anyone...but I have to and its becoming almost essential and urgent.hoping I would make some headway here this year ....

Do you know what is P.O.S?

Its been the second time this is happening I try to get into the discipline of posting a thought every day and miserably fail!
Apologies for that!

Yesterday I learned an acronym -in a "Internet Safety" session.
I consider myself quite internet savvy although I dont own the latest iphone or any thing to that kind...I always thought I was on top if the happenings.
One underlying reason I keep myself updated I know for sure my daughters will be ahead of me soon and I should be aware of the latest till they pass the vulenrable age!

So I was surprised when the P.C Mark (stands for Police Constable in UK unlike the Personal Computer I grew up with) I was taken aback I didnt know that.
And I believe children as young as 5 type that if parent peers over them!

He did say LOL and a few others but this one made me sit up!

P O S is Point of Sale terminal - in the modern technical jargon
P O S - as an Indian eceonomics student I remember it as Post Office Savings


But this one isnt that!


Scroll down and check it out!
Needless to say I will be delighted if you care to leave an comment!
Thanks in advance!



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Parent over Shoulder

Of course they have a lot more than just that!
TOS- Teacher over Shoulder

to SOS - Someone over shoulder and so on!





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