Note: I’ve had some requests (well one) for more succinct reports. From now on I will be including an executive summary with each post. *
Executive Summary
- The Catholic Church is wealthy in both land and property.
- September is a mighty fine time to visit Rome – not too hot, not that many tourists.
- The Big Green Egg is the greatest invention ever.
- Day 4 contained several ironies.
End Summary
The Report
The theme of today’s post is “irony”.
Irony 1: I was waiting inside the MacDonalds to meet up with my tour guide Laura and there’s this guy asking for change (this kind, not the other type). The woman in front of me turned and said exactly what I was thinking “he seems really well fed to be asking for change”. The guy was huge.
Irony 2: The meeting location was chosen for its visibility, not its cuisine. I know I’m tempted now and again by the Golden Arches but I’m in Italy here. Laura was a few minutes late because she did not specify which MacDonald’s to meet up at. There were three others within 100 meters. I mean, how can there be so many in a country that has maybe the best food in the world?
Irony 3: The Vatican (lead by this guy) requests that visitors dress modestly.
Bling anyone?
And while we’re on the subject of modesty: here is his house.
And this is just the foyer. Seriously.
Irony 4: I saw someone today wearing a t-shirt that said “Obey Your Parents” and it got me thinking “If I do that then I’ll be obeying the shirt – a direction violation of what the shirt commands”
Irony 5: The coliseum is big (not really ironic but I needed to mention that I went there).
Ironic? Not really.
And I almost forgot the Big Green Egg.
It helped produce this fine meal.
I think I’m going to get one when I return home.
It's big and heavy and green.
* This policy is subject to change without notice.
Die Hard Three 
I’m confused: Were you really denied entry to the Vatican? And did you end up obeying the T-shirt?
No. One of the girls in line in front of us was. As for the shirt, well let’s just say – I was the computer and the shirt was Captain Kirk.
So you tried to sound like Majel Barrett and the shirt tried to hump the girl in the immodest attire?
Something like that 😉
Last week I was hanging out at the Eagleson Park & Ride around 9:30 pm one night when a well-dressed, handsome young fellow approaches me saying that he’s going to hitch-hike to Saskatchewan and he needs change to be able to buy food on the way. I almost gave him some change just cuz I never heard that excuse before and I know for a fact that it’s a freaking long way from Kanata to Saskatchewan but I refrained nevertheless…. If he ever shows up again with the same request I promise I’ll give him some (change).
I’m not sure I’m comfortable with you being approached by handsome well-dressed young men. 😛