Italy: Day One

Throw in a coin and you will be sure to return to Rome!

Despite our flight to Rome being delayed almost and hour and a half, it was quite uneventful and we landed only 10-15 min behind schedule. I was able to get a couple more hours of sleep and watch a couple of movies. At the airport, things went smoothly as we were headed from one area to another before being able to leave. John had hired a car and driver to take us to the B&B. I had a great vantage point of the speedometer where I was sitting. The driver hit 160 kph a couple of times – that 100 mph for you american folks! The city driving is pretty amazing too – it seems there are no actual lanes, just people trying to get around other people…. and no one seems to pay much attention to the pedestrian crosswalks – the pedestrians or the drivers. Amazing. John met us outside the B&B and showed us in. The key ring has 5 keys on it – one for the front door, then you have another for the gate to the courtyard. The next is for the lift (elevator – although I use the term lightly – only big enough for one person, but the sign says 2), the next for the hall door into the Armanto Romano, and the last is to the door of the room. You just try getting through all those doors quickly if you have to go to the bathroom! Very nice and clean! Just a couple doors down is a lovely cafe, and only a few blocks away are some of the city’s attractions. We decided fairly quickly to have lunch, and walked up to the Piazzo de Repubblica where there was a lovely cafe to stop and have a sandwich to eat. After lunch we walked around the fountain in the middle of the Piazzo – The Fountain of the Naiads. From there we went in to see the Basilica de Santa Marie degli Angeli – a very beautiful church. There was a mass being said in the nave as we visited. We regrouped and took a taxi to the Trevi Fountain. Somehow that area was much bigger when I was 16 years old! After taking lots of pictures, we all enjoyed a gelato while we sat and enjoyed the sound of the water and watched the hundreds of visitor throw coins into the fountain. When I visited at age 16 and threw a coin into the fountain, I never thought I would come back to Rome – and here I am. So, not to tempt fate again, I had to throw in another coin! About an hour later, we decided to head back to the B&B. While John, Randy and Sondra caught a taxi, I decided to walk back. I walked back past the Quirinal Palace. It is located on one of the seven tallest hills of Rome. The view of St Peters basilica dome was impressive. I continued walking and found everyone enjoying an afternoon drink at the Cafe Byron, just a couple of doors down from the B&B. I decided to go back to our room for a quick shower and nap, then wandered back to sit with John at the cafe for a little while. Now I understand what the travel books say about just sitting and enjoying the afternoon with a cappuccino. The plan is to finish up the evening at a local restaurant and have an early night…… A great start to this Italian adventure!

• ← Preparing for the Journey
• Italy day 2 →