Short and Pale Travel: The McLaughlin’s in ROME!

Well, we’ve spent close to a week in Rome, with a few days spent in la Cinque Terre. Cinque Terre has definitely lived up to its hype, it should be a requirement for people to go there in their life. After 2 nights in a sketch ass hostel, we decided to book it back to Rome to meet up with the McLaughlins. Tom and Irene decided to celebrate their 40^th wedding anniversary in style; a trip to London , Sorento/Amalfi/Capri, and finally Rome. They even invited the kids along (generous people those McLaughlins). Well when we arrived back in Rome, it was hot as all hell, so of course we got some gelato. It was our last 24 hours in Italy and for a week Kels had been on the hunt for riso gelato to no avail. BUT, on the last day we stepped into the gelateria downstairs from where we were staying and there it was… riso gelato. I was boring and got mint flavored, but I can tell you right now, mint gelato in 95 degree weather is amazing.

We went to the bus stop to meet the McLaughlins, and there we met a dude from Long Island who had been living in Rome for 10 years. This guy had to have been an extra on the Jersey Shore at some point. Once the bus was 20 minutes late, the three of us decided to share a cab to a piazza that was only “5 minutes walk” from where we needed to meet Mark and his family. So we walked for 5 minutes, popped into a shop and asked a guy who told us it was only 5 more minutes walk. We walked another 5 and popped into a bar to ask someone there, again we only needed to walk 5 minutes more. 45 MINUTES AND 9 CONVERSATIONS LATER, we finally ran into the McLaughlin walking up the street from their hotel (they had been waiting for over an hour at that point, sorry guys). From there we walked all over town (I got to be honest, I can’t remember where) found an Irish pub (they always have the best drinks),shared a few beers, then went to the same roof top bar we went too with Aaron a week earlier (thanks for the drinks Mark). We spent a few hours overlooking the Pantheon and catching up. We also got the privilege of hearing Tom and Irene tell of us of their journey through life together (and if you get a chance to hear it, don't pass it up), which went a long way for a couple just a year into marriage and traveling for 6 months together. After that we strolled into the pantheon and then found our way to dinner after scoping out 75 places first… clearly we are a decisive crew. Tom & Irene treated us all to a great dinner filled with pastas, cheeses, and wine. After dinner we said our goodbyes to the McLaughlin family and Mark, Kelsey and I went to the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish steps. We drank a couple beers on the Spanish steps, haggled with some street venders, and caught up on life. It was a much needed taste of home. All in all it was incredible seeing that whole family, we just love them and can’t wait for the next BBQ in the Dub C. Mark, it was so great seeing you bud, thanks for all the good laughs and effort you put into making this meet up happen- and to Tom and Irene, congratulations again on 40 years. Thank you guys for all the good conversation, “irish style” drinks, and your constant love and support.