Hermes Cafe Bon Temps~Good Times Cafe
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So many introvert/extrovert couples. I will admit, even though bf is fairly introverted himself, I get really drained by people, even when it's a fun activity, and it took him a while to understand that about me. I'm the planner of trips - I enjoy the research, the finding of deals and sights, the planning of getting around. I do leave the food and drink choices to bf, because he enjoys finding those, and he can do it on the day, while we relax at a cafe or bar.
One big difference in my travel style with him is I'm more likely to sit down and relax at a cafe for a couple of hours. I rarely did that before - I wanted to see everything and do everything until I dropped. MMC, funny about the Louvre, I went there on my first non-business trip to Paris, but since then I've done repeat visits to the Musee D'Orsay, but skip the Louvre - it is sheer sensory overload. I love art and art history, but other than one or two museums max, would prefer staring at outdoor architecture and sculpture during my trips...
Cremel, I'm the GPS and navigator as well. Through the picturesque south of France, and the back roads of Utah, and the cobbled streets of Rome.
One big difference in my travel style with him is I'm more likely to sit down and relax at a cafe for a couple of hours. I rarely did that before - I wanted to see everything and do everything until I dropped. MMC, funny about the Louvre, I went there on my first non-business trip to Paris, but since then I've done repeat visits to the Musee D'Orsay, but skip the Louvre - it is sheer sensory overload. I love art and art history, but other than one or two museums max, would prefer staring at outdoor architecture and sculpture during my trips...
Cremel, I'm the GPS and navigator as well. Through the picturesque south of France, and the back roads of Utah, and the cobbled streets of Rome.
LOL! That's what I tell DH!! "If you think you should go right, then go left and you'll be fine!".
Sometimes he asks me "how does it feel having the sense of direction?" and I love the expression of satisfaction he has when he finally recognizes where he is. He's adorable
I don't consider myself an introvert, but large groups drain me, I am horrible at mingling (for work and social occasions), and I enjoy the company of a small selected group of people. Given the choice between a party and a dinner with a couple of friends, I'd certainly pick the latter.
I love smaller museums, but the Louvre feels daunting. Every time we consider visiting it,we get there, look at the long lines at the entrance and re-consider. We went to Rome with a couple of friends years ago, and they really wanted to see the Vatican Museum. We were standing in line for hours, and at the end I just remember this snake of people going through rooms that blended in my mind. The Sistine chapel was crowded like Grand Central Station at rush hour, and the museum guards were shouting, telling people to move and not stop the flow. Not my cup of tea.
That's also when I realized that 2 is the perfect number for travel.
This discussion has been really interesting. As a child I was definitely an introvert, shy and bookish. As an adult, I became more extroverted, didn't mind standing up n front of people and giving presentations. However, I also prefer hanging with a small group of people, rather than a big party. When I first met DH I thought he was the total extrovert. Now I realize he is really kind of an introvert. So I guess we are both a mix.
As far as travel, traveling with DH is my preference. We have been together so long, we know how to easily compromise. I am more of the sights and museum person. He is all about food and sitting in a cafe. So we do both.
We both like to walk and explore. We have tkraveled a few times with another couple. That has been fun, but more of a challenge for DH since they don't like to spend as much money on food and accommodation.
As far as travel, traveling with DH is my preference. We have been together so long, we know how to easily compromise. I am more of the sights and museum person. He is all about food and sitting in a cafe. So we do both.
We both like to walk and explore. We have tkraveled a few times with another couple. That has been fun, but more of a challenge for DH since they don't like to spend as much money on food and accommodation.
For the Vatican/Sistine Chapel (and many other sites) if you pay for a private tour (even through many outside tour groups), you do not have to wait in line. It may be as cheap as $100 for your small group (you and DH, etc) and sometimes admission is even included (though not at V/SC). It is so preferable to those audio headphone guided tours! We want last year, and I think things have changed somewhat because people were let into the SC in waves from the Vatican section of the tour, so it was not too crowded. Also there is absolutely no talking or whispering allowed which makes it easier to take it in. I was shocked how much more gigantic the Vatican is compared to what I expected, and the amazing Vatican grounds, but how extremely tiny the Sistine Chapel is. Were you also surprised? The Sistine Chapel is the size of a large living room! I also really loved St. Peter's and was amazed at all of the popes of historical importance buried right there.
The Vatican Museum is nothing special, just a bunch of magnets, calendars and rosaries and it is tiny. The cashiers and saleswomen were all nuns though, so that was cute. Here is our little memento from the museum. I was 7 months pregnant with my son at the time, so this spoke to me.
I skipped a lot of retirement luncheons over the years b/c another woman and I were the only women for many years and she played softball so was one of the boys. Now, and for some time, we have had a bunch of professional women. The men have all retired for the most part. It is so nice to have women around! No more sports discussions!
I am like you, MMC, absolutely. Plus I burned out hearing listening to rock music as I was writing dissertation. So in groups with background noise (what group doesn't have that) I am constantly asking, "What did he say?"
I am italian, so i was not particularly surprised. I had been there with a school trip a few times before but it was such a long ago that i cannot remember my first impression.
We had not planned anything, we just showed up at rhe Vatican, and it turned out it was the weekend of the month in which admission is free. The whole world was in line. One could not wonder throught the rooms or even take a shortcut. It was just a long snake of people. It was forbidden to talk or whisper as well in the Sistine chappel, but apparently the rule did not apply to the guards which were shouting and trying to move the people as if they were a flock of recluctant sheep.
Just awful.
Interesting. I am very similar to you in that change between childhood and adulthood. I am still definitely an introvert, but I'm no longer extremely shy and timid as in childhood. Like you, I also can give presentations easily now, and actually enjoy speaking in front of groups. It is such a wonderful thing to get older and leave behind so many of the fears and insecurities of the younger years! For me, it took until my mid-twenties when I moved from grad school and into my career to lose my shyness in front of people! The first few months as a professional were really scary though! I would have to mentally psych myself up before talking with people! (They did not have TED Talks about the superman pose back then [emoji6]). I am so glad to have left that stage behind!
I would be interested to hear from others about some of the things you have been able able to overcome through the years, or how your perspective has changed in some way that has made life easier or more enjoyable. I am 35 now and still definitely a work in progress!
I understand about the background noise. Since English is not my mother tongue, places with a lot of background noise make it difficult for me to understand others, and for others to understand me, i guess because of my accent.
I realize that i get really tired because i try to read the lips of the people talking. It is draining.
Oh, I did not realize you are Italian! Are you still living there?
To this day the guards are the same, extremely aggressive! They were not shouting at people to move, but they were constantly shouting at people not to whisper when the slightest peep would come up from someone, which was somewhat odd and intimidating!
And I am like you, too, scarf1. Small groups. Presentations are ok. When traveling, we always stop in bookstores, that's his thing. I really should avoid the NY bookstore that carries all the fashion books published by Rizzoli. And any other such bookstores. I love them and spend accordingly. No such comparable offering around here. Have to order the books sight unseen. Such books really compete with H. But NY museums are great, FIT, etc.
I guess nothing has changed in the vatican for a few thousands years, including the aggressive guards.
Dh commented also on the absurdity of them shouting to people that talking or whispering was not allowed!I live in Washington, DC now. I haven't been living in Italy for over 25 years.
DH's only memory of Italy other than the food was those terrible guards yelling constantly "shhhh!!!! No picture!!!!!!"
We had a tour guide pick us up at our hotel and take us around for the day in Rome. I get so lost there. The whole road was closed to the Vatican. There were people everywhere. I have no idea what the heck our driver was saying but at every barricade he rolled down the window and spoke with a policeman and they moved the barricade and waved is through. We were in shock. He drive us right up to St. Peter's and there was the pope in the window a few feet away. And of course once he parked and took us inside he did the same thing. A few words to someone and in we went. We joked that he told them we were Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie or something.
And of course there is a gift shop. These people are experts at raising funds. We are Italian and Catholic background so none of this surprised us. We know the drill. Follow the arbitrary rules, it helps to know people in high places, make sure to leave a donation. [emoji23]
We had a tour guide pick us up at our hotel and take us around for the day in Rome. I get so lost there. The whole road was closed to the Vatican. There were people everywhere. I have no idea what the heck our driver was saying but at every barricade he rolled down the window and spoke with a policeman and they moved the barricade and waved is through. We were in shock. He drive us right up to St. Peter's and there was the pope in the window a few feet away. And of course once he parked and took us inside he did the same thing. A few words to someone and in we went. We joked that he told them we were Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie or something.
And of course there is a gift shop. These people are experts at raising funds. We are Italian and Catholic background so none of this surprised us. We know the drill. Follow the arbitrary rules, it helps to know people in high places, make sure to leave a donation. [emoji23]
Donation, yup. I won't ever forget to offer one again, or assume that it is not necessary. I read an amusing story about Mother Theresa. Apparently some Americans set up a rudimentary embassy in a hotel in a small southern European country. Mother was there the next day asking for donations.
What a fantastic tour to see the Pope in person! I enjoyed hearing about your trip.