I Didn't Know the World Stopped When George Bush Visits Rome!

As work is becoming a little more "routine" and I am starting to get the hang of when I have to leave, get ready, drive, etc., but of course, something changes! The "change" was George & Laura Bush visiting Italy. The whole city seemed to shut down, which I didn't expect...it took me 2 1/2 hours to get to work! The GRA (expressway that circles Rome) was stopped both ways for that time (conveniently during rush hour). Anyways, Laura Bush visited the World Food Programme which was pretty neat. I saw her in the motorcade as they went by (with 10 suburbans full of secret service agents, 4 helicopters, and what seemed to be an entire Roman legion of police). It just makes me wonder why we make such a big deal about our leaders when we go to other countries. You don't see Gordon Brown or Angela Merckel doing the same thing when they travel...oh well! I dont mean any animosity, it was just a different experience, and seeing how other citizens (not just Italians) looked at the situation. Oh funny story... so I was driving yesterday, and looked at the car next to me...the lady was reading a book while driving! (yikes). The Italians/Romans are truly good drivers, just a bit crazy, and not-law abiding... I guess it is educational rather than putting on make-up or some other distraction. Well, I will write more this weekend! Ciao..!