The entrance to the Ghetto is through the Portico di Ottavia, built by Augustus for his sister; a ruin full of columns and remnants of walls and buildings, some incorporated into modern structures. The ghetto itself is both an historic and a living neighborhood, like so much of Rome. There is an active synagogue, a solitary plaque marking the deportations of 16 October 1943, an intriguing collection of cafes and small shops, and courtyards open to exploration.
By now, I am at a total loss about how to deal with Roman cash machines. The hotel concierge and I have tried several. My companions point them out - we are always on the hunt. I even check with my bank about my card. I am Euroless for two or three days and out of dollars to exchange. Thinking silently about how to put the bite on my newfound friends. I finally find a very few that have the right symbols - only to learn that they have limits on weekends. Why is it so much easier to put money in a bank than take it out?
From the Ghetto, we walked along the Tiber and crossed into the Trastevere, a narrow set of streets, medieval houses, and the fine Santa Maria in Trastevere, not as grand as some other basilicas in Rome, but filled with decorative detail - an intimate setting inviting contemplation. An outdoor lunch on our own. A very jolly waitress - no other word for it. If you want to work with tourists every day, I am sure it helps to have a sense of humor - she clearly had worked that out. And there were roaming street musicians, too. I wonder if they minded that I preferred the photo op to their playing.
On this and other days, we had workshops back at the hotel, which worked like this: everyone chose 15 ''best'' photos of the day to review with an instructor. A final ''five best'' selection was shared with everyone on a projector - and included the instructors' own best five. The real learning tool was seeing how others - instructors and students alike - shot the same thing I was photographing. Seeing how others viewed and composed the same scene with a completely different result opened my eyes.
I often chose for initial review five of my best and five of my most disappointing, asking why they didn't turn out as I expected. Very helpful feedback. On this trip, I finally learned how to master my camera manually.
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.