When in Rome .........

Sunday, 26 June

I failed to mention that we arrived very late ... as in early this morning and we were STARVING!! When Alitalia says you are served a snack onboard ... they really mean a snack. Couple of biscuits and a drink. Got into our room which was not very impressive at all. Asked the concierge whether there was room service 'no' .. ok is there somewhere close by to get something. "You can go across the road, they are Egyptian ... but do not be afraid" (huh?) Ducked across and grabbed the only thing left on the menu at 1.00am ... Lasagne. Flashed my travel agent card when we finally woke up (and missed breakfast) and were given a much better room. *sigh* At least the water in the bidet wasn't going to scald us! KIDDING ... the shower in the first room went from skin sloughing hot to cryofreeze within 10 seconds, every 10 seconds. Once we had our new room sorted, it was off to hit the cobblestones of Rome. We were very disorientated to start with and very hungry, after missing our breakfast, so first order of the day was to find something to eat. Found a cafe quick near the Termini (main railway station) where the waiter was friendly - perhaps a little too friendly? Had warned Bobbie about the Italian men and their penchant for a quick grab or touch. He was very hands on and gave us both a side handled hug ... and then he spoke with an English accent. *groan* A sleezy Brit in Italy!!

Now we had food in our bellies, we were right to go. Felt that the best thing to do was jump on a Hop On Hop Off tour of the city and get our bearings. Great idea but shocking bus tour .... should have gone with the official one. The speakers did not work at all on ours but at least we got to see what we wanted to do. We stayed on the bus until it had almost done a full circle. Went into Basilica St Maria degli Angeli e Dei Matiri which did not look so church-like from the outside but was incredible on the inside. Loads of information about Galileo and how he wasn't an atheist but was merely dedicated to the 'logic of the creator' and was in fact a very faithful man. It was also the last architectural project of Michelangelo.

Next stop on our massive walking tour of Rome was the Monument of Emanuele II ... or as Bobbie & I tried to describe it to someone ... the big white thingy. Well, it is big ... and white. Basically a military museum but was considered quite sacred because it is a monument that was built to commemorate the unification of Italy.

From the big white thingy we thought 'oh, it's not so far to the Trevi Fountain'. Lovely walk, got sidetracked by many shops along the way and finally made it there. MASSES and MASSES of people, all vying for a spot on the marble lip of the fountain to take the all important coin toss shot into the fountain. Tradition holds that if you throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain it guarantees your return. YIPPEEEE. Had lunch at a Trattoria around the corner and was serenaded by an accordian player. When he came up for our 'donation' I had no coins, he kindly offered to give change. Do I look green? I said I would give him 2 Euros. He dug into his little crushed paper cup and presented me with 2 Euros but before I handed him my 5 Euro note, I shook my head and shoved my hand into that little cup for my extra Euro. The guy at the table next to us thought it was amusing and Bobbie was mortified (but laughing) that I had the gall to do that. What can I say ... I'm part Scottish.

Food Babies on board we took off again and headed for the Spanish Steps. I can honestly say, I've been to Rome 3 times before but have never approached them from the back. Walked DOWN the steps and sat and relaxed for a while ... and did a bit of people watching. There are plenty of street hawkers trying to sell bags and scarves and even alcohol but we didn't see a single person the grog.

Walked ALL the way home and collapsed .... where's a masseuse when you need one?