My new chapter in life started well before the sun had even thought of getting up (on Tuesday, 20 July). I'd woken at 3.45am and was pleased I still had 2 hours more of sleep - hmm I think not more like 1 hour. It definitely would have been a mad rush if I'd slept though my alarm.
Finally made it to the airport after taking a bus then the airport express. Check-in was painless and before too long I was at the lounge having breakfast. Plane ride was very uneventful - watched 4 movies and probably napped for about an hour. On arrival into London I had to change terminals which was easy, and helped passed the 5 hours I had in London. It was good to be back in London even if it was just the airport. I spent the remaining time in the lounge. The flight to Roma boarded on time but then we sat on the runway for awhile, normal Heathrow style. I slept on and off for the whole flight.
On arrival into Roma we waited for what seemed like forever for our bags - I of course was expecting the worse (especially as I was on a connecting flight, we all know my previous experiences with getting my luggage) but was very pleased when my bag came out within minutes. Phew I was saved another day. Found a taxi and was off – I’m back in Italia again, ye ha.
The drive seemed to take forever and ever until the sites started to change out the window, I realized I was getting there, I'm finally here. The taxi driver was very kind and carried my bag to the hotel (which is on a square so no taxis). Checked in and basically straight to bed - it had been a long day and I'd been up for just over 24 hours.
Wednesday I woke early, had a leisurely breakfast in the hotel (what a view this was!), I didn’t see the need to rush given I was on holiday (ok permanent holiday!). Today I was heading to St Peter's Basilica. Loved walking the streets looking at all the amazing buildings even the roads grabbed my attention. Wow what a site St. Peter's is! I enjoyed just standing staring before I noticed a huge line to get in, not what I need on a hot (but no humidity :)) day. Got chatting to an older lady from kiwi land then jumped the line. Whoops, thankfully no-one said anything. Had a good look around the inside then lined up yet again to go up the Dome. Decided on taking the lift up as far as it would go then only 320 stairs up (if I’d walked the whole way it would have been around 550 stairs)! At times it was a little hard going, I'm not good with small spaces at the best of time and given there wasn't much air circulating it was a little rough going. On arrival at the top it made it all worth it! What a view. Had a good look around before having to go through the small spaces again. At the bottom, my legs were shaking, had another wander around the piazza before heading back in the direction of the hotel.
I was pleasantly surprised there was hardly any “dodge brothers are us” around, very different to when I was here in 2001 – they were everywhere!
Stopped off along the way for a late lunch - pasta of course. Back to the hotel for a short break before heading to the Trevi Fountain. It’s still an impressive site, but with so many people around I couldn't really get to the water’s edge, so no coin throwing for me. From here I took the bus to the main train terminal to purchase my train ticket to Milano (for Friday) and Zurich (for Saturday). Two buses arrived at same time so I went with the second one as there weren't that many people on it, this allowed me to speak with the driver about a ticket. I should have known, you need to buy your ticket before you get on - buggar. Ticket brought and the waiting started again. Before too long I was on my way, on arrival at the station I joined a very long line. I'm paying I am in the correct line if not there maybe tears. After what seemed like hours (at very high temperatures) it was my turn :). With tickets brought I headed back towards the hotel via the subway, had a wander around the streets and found somewhere to eat - sat outside again, even though it was hot it was dry heat so bearable to be outside. More walking around before heading back to the hotel for an early night.
Thursday I woke early but still could have had more sleep - relaxed before heading up to breakfast. This time I brought my camera. We were on the hotel's room top so the view was Molto bene. Decided to make my first stop at a bar for a caffe latte - which was oh so good! Managed to order and have a small conversation in Italiano :) Now that I was caffeinated I headed off toward Piazza Navona, stopping on route in a couple of Churches. Every Church I enter is amazing, and all very different. I wandered around Piazza Navona and noticed how different it is since I was here in 2001 - there are so many more people around and lots and lots of artist selling their paintings. From here I headed to the Pantheon. Another amazing site, however I was disappointed there was works going on the outside.
I was close-ish to the hotel so headed back for a break from the heat. Caved in and brought a 24 hour wifi pass, I'm amazed wifi isn't really big in Rome.
After awhile I was getting hungry so headed out in the direction of the Spanish Steps. So many places to choose (where to eat), yet such a hard decision. Finally choose one which was extremely busy and had one of the specials of the day. The waiters have all been amazed that I’ve only ordered pasta and not either an appetizer or main to go with it – honestly that’s far too much food. How on earth do the Italians stay so thin if they eat like that every day is beyond me.
I was very impressed at how the city had water fountains everywhere, such a great thing! I hardly ever saw one that was free, people were either filling up their water bottles or washing themselves (to cool off and get the sweat off them).
Another thing I noticed was the Police, they were everywhere – they were basically on every street corner and never alone. On looking at a few of them, I have come to the conclusion that a pre-req for getting into the Police has to be “hotness”.
After lunch I headed to the Spanish Steps, so many people hanging around at the bottom but hardly anyone on the stairs. This of course is due to the heat. No one wants to sit down - not only would you burn your skin you would also burn your bum!! Of course I know this as I sat down, for all of 30 seconds. I walked up and into the Church.
I was having issues with my newly purchased sim card so walked back to where I brought it yesterday to see if they could help, the other vodafone I went into earlier were as helpful as a dead cat. Didn't leave a good taste in my mouth of how tourists are treated. Anyway, onwards and upwards and before too long I was on my way with a working phone - Thank goodness for that.
Decided to head to the colosseo and forum, managed to get there by subway (it's just too hot to be out in the direct sun). On exiting the station the huge site was upon me - it was hard to understand what this was like in its hay day. One thing I'm pretty sure of was there was no cars or motorbikes driving by like there is today.
I walked around the outside of the colosseo, sitting at times to just stare. There were so many people around and I’m sure even more inside. Headed back in the direction of the hotel, stopping on route at the type writer building (Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II), another amazing Roma site. In fact every single building in Roma has something special to offer – whether it be a famous site or not.
More great views of Roma from the top. I was impressed at how white the building was clearly they cleaned or painted regularly.
After I’d enjoyed the views I headed back down to street level and just wandering my way back to the hotel, taking in all the sites along the way. Made good use of my 24 hours of internet before venturing out for a pre-dinner drink. I decided to go back to where I had eaten lunch yesterday, and enjoyed just sitting in the late afternoon sun (which was still so hot) paying Sudoku drinking a glass of vino – it's a hard life. Thought I should branch out a bit for dinner so headed off in search of another restaurant. Picked one that had a couple of tables and enjoyed sitting listening to the chef and maître de try to communicate with them. One table was from Turkey and the other Japan, neither could speak Italiano very well and both the chef and maître de couldn’t speak English – I found it very amusing. After dinner headed back to the hotel via a water fountain, honestly these things were the best things since sliced bread especially given I couldn’t find a place that sells water to save myself.
Friday morning I woke far too early for being on holiday (just can’t say unemployed anymore), half packed my bag before heading to breakfast. Again seemed too spend ages just sitting and relaxing. The views were amazing and I know I won’t have them for the next few mornings. Decided to head out for a short walk to fill my water bottle and buy a couple of postcards. Walked back to the hotel via a different route, was slightly concerned I may end up being lost but had to time if that happened. One of the streets I walked down had a fish restaurant offering wifi – typical that I find this on my last day here!!! Back to the hotel, I finished packing checked out and ordered a taxi to the train station.
Got there far too early, normal Jordan style….so had to stand around with my (heavy) backpack on waiting until the train arrived and they announced a platform. Getting on was no issue, although I did think when I was on the middle step I may end up going backwards, which would have been a disaster! Anyway all’s well, on the train and found my seat (which I had pre-booked). One advantage of taking a backpack against a suitcase is it can fit in-between the seats, no need to try to lift it up above the seats (which I so wouldn’t have been able to do).
I sat opposite a guy who I got talking too. He had very good English and told me I had good Italian (ye ha!). The views on the ride (to Milano) were great, lots of vineyards, hay bales, small villages/towns, farm houses, fields full of sunflowers (Han, you would LOVE it), greenery. I would love to come to one of these small villages/towns for a couple of weeks to enjoy small time Italia life.
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