Incredibly Interesting Itinerary
When I woke up at 6AM, it was to bug bites all over. I don't know where they came from, though I assume perhaps the damp air near the bridge. A shower helped relieve the itch.
Illness continued to go through our group. Julie told me that Joe was feeling sick. I felt badly for my tourmates. The last thing you want to deal with on an exciting European dream trip- is illness.
We met outside the hotel at 7:45 and we, "The Thundering Herd" made our way to the bus.
Illness continued to go through our group. Julie told me that Joe was feeling sick. I felt badly for my tourmates. The last thing you want to deal with on an exciting European dream trip- is illness.
We met outside the hotel at 7:45 and we, "The Thundering Herd" made our way to the bus.
The Smallest Hotel Room in the World...
Once again, the hotel was strange- by American standards. As we got our keys in the lobby, several of us learned that our rooms were in a different building down the road and across street.
I cracked up laughing when I opened my door to the tiniest hotel room ever! It was a lovely, charming room, but not big enough to swing a cat! Fortunately, I didn't have a cat. The room was the length of the bed, with a little TV on the wall at the foot of the bed. The bed itself was narrower than a twin, but wide enough to accomplish its purpose. I had a little table and chair, a wardrobe and a bathroom with a shower.
I cracked up laughing when I opened my door to the tiniest hotel room ever! It was a lovely, charming room, but not big enough to swing a cat! Fortunately, I didn't have a cat. The room was the length of the bed, with a little TV on the wall at the foot of the bed. The bed itself was narrower than a twin, but wide enough to accomplish its purpose. I had a little table and chair, a wardrobe and a bathroom with a shower.
Home Happy Home~
Running and Riding Right 'Round Riveting Rome
After settling into our rooms we met Dimitri to begin our Rome experience. Right away he cautioned us about the crowds (and the pickpockets). We would be catching a bus to take us to the Coliseum. Because of the crowds and the timing, he said it probably wouldn't be possible for all of us to take the same bus. He instructed us on what to do should we be separated. Then we began to walk.
Dimitri has a great accent. His fascinating mix of being Greek and Dutch is interesting as well. Right away I loved the way he said, "Rome". He can roll an "R" like nobody's business! So whenever I was feeling ornery (often). I would ask him a question and make him say, "Rome" or in Dimitri speak, "RrrrrrrrOhMah" (Roma)!
Sure enough, at the bus stop we had to divide into two groups. I got on the first bus, along with Joe and Julie, Chris and Mark and some others. The bus was very crowded. Sardine crowded. I hated it. There was no personal space. I grabbed onto a pole, along with many others, and tried not to focus on my claustrophobia. I was shocked when Julie, who was standing right in front of me, reached out and slapped a woman's hand. She then began to scold her harshly. Julie is a petite little lady who is always smiling and friendly. So seeing her turn into a tiger was a bit of a shock! Turned out she had slapped the hand of a pick pocket in mid-pick! Julie had no qualms calling her out loud enough for everybody around to hear- and be warned. The accused picker quickly worked her way away from us and off of the bus. How she managed to get off that packed tight bus remains a mystery.
The bus was packed SO FULL that when the bus stopped, people couldn't get on- or off! At one point, people were yelling, trying to get the passengers to shift and move enough so people could get off at their stops. One woman tried to get on with a baby stroller. People moved over, but not enough for her husband to get on, and the bus took off, leaving the husband behind- and more people yelling.
With that scenario in mind, the RS folk started working their way towards the doors well before our stop. We really had to squeeze and be a bit pushy. There was no sense of being polite on the bus. It was a kill or be killed mentality. If you wanted on or off the bus, you had to fight for your right to enter or exit.
We disembarked at the Coliseum exit and pulled up a curb to wait for the rest of our group. There were already lots of people swarming around the Coliseum, but wow, what a vision before me!
Dimitri has a great accent. His fascinating mix of being Greek and Dutch is interesting as well. Right away I loved the way he said, "Rome". He can roll an "R" like nobody's business! So whenever I was feeling ornery (often). I would ask him a question and make him say, "Rome" or in Dimitri speak, "RrrrrrrrOhMah" (Roma)!
Sure enough, at the bus stop we had to divide into two groups. I got on the first bus, along with Joe and Julie, Chris and Mark and some others. The bus was very crowded. Sardine crowded. I hated it. There was no personal space. I grabbed onto a pole, along with many others, and tried not to focus on my claustrophobia. I was shocked when Julie, who was standing right in front of me, reached out and slapped a woman's hand. She then began to scold her harshly. Julie is a petite little lady who is always smiling and friendly. So seeing her turn into a tiger was a bit of a shock! Turned out she had slapped the hand of a pick pocket in mid-pick! Julie had no qualms calling her out loud enough for everybody around to hear- and be warned. The accused picker quickly worked her way away from us and off of the bus. How she managed to get off that packed tight bus remains a mystery.
The bus was packed SO FULL that when the bus stopped, people couldn't get on- or off! At one point, people were yelling, trying to get the passengers to shift and move enough so people could get off at their stops. One woman tried to get on with a baby stroller. People moved over, but not enough for her husband to get on, and the bus took off, leaving the husband behind- and more people yelling.
With that scenario in mind, the RS folk started working their way towards the doors well before our stop. We really had to squeeze and be a bit pushy. There was no sense of being polite on the bus. It was a kill or be killed mentality. If you wanted on or off the bus, you had to fight for your right to enter or exit.
We disembarked at the Coliseum exit and pulled up a curb to wait for the rest of our group. There were already lots of people swarming around the Coliseum, but wow, what a vision before me!
Memorable Moment
We started to get worried when our group didn't show up. At first we excused them, knowing how crowded the busses were. Perhaps they couldn't get on the next bus. Or perhaps they couldn't get off and had to backtrack. Then we were checking our watches.
Just when we really started to get concerned, they showed up. Dimitri quickly got us organized and then introduced us to our guide for the day, Francesca.
If you've watched Rick Steve's travelogue of Rome, you might recognize Francesca. She is a pretty, soft spoken blonde who is passionate about her job. I don't know that you could find a higher caliber of guide than she. She was so ardent about her subject, that we were at rapt attention, completely captivated by her stories.
Just when we really started to get concerned, they showed up. Dimitri quickly got us organized and then introduced us to our guide for the day, Francesca.
If you've watched Rick Steve's travelogue of Rome, you might recognize Francesca. She is a pretty, soft spoken blonde who is passionate about her job. I don't know that you could find a higher caliber of guide than she. She was so ardent about her subject, that we were at rapt attention, completely captivated by her stories.
Curious Capture
The Roman Coliseum, il Colosseo or Colosseum, is built of sand and concrete and is the largest amphitheater ever built. It dates back to 70-80 AD. Holding an average of 65,000 people, most of us associate the Coliseum with gladiators and bloody battle. While it was indeed used for "entertainment purposes" that were quite gory and torturous, it also housed dramas and reenactments as well.
Pickpockets love the Coliseum (as they love any big crowded touristy place). I was disappointed that I didn't take a friend's advice to take an old billfold, fill it with some monopoly money and a note saying, "Gotcha!" and stick it in my back pocket for fun. I thought that was a great idea, but I ran out of time to rig it. One man in our group was pickpocketed twice during our time there. Fortunately, he was smart enough to only have a map and a Coliseum brochure in his back pockets, though he lost 'em both!
Pickpockets love the Coliseum (as they love any big crowded touristy place). I was disappointed that I didn't take a friend's advice to take an old billfold, fill it with some monopoly money and a note saying, "Gotcha!" and stick it in my back pocket for fun. I thought that was a great idea, but I ran out of time to rig it. One man in our group was pickpocketed twice during our time there. Fortunately, he was smart enough to only have a map and a Coliseum brochure in his back pockets, though he lost 'em both!
I tried and tried to get a good picture of Francesca. She figured out what I was trying to do and finally told me, "You'll never get a good picture of me. I'm always talking and making faces. I hate to even look at people's pictures when they post them, because my pictures are terrible!" I laughed and promised to make sure to post flattering pictures.
With my camera ever ready, I asked Francesca and Dimitri if we could stop somewhere in the Coliseum for a group picture. They were both willing and Francesca asked if I had a spot in mind. I did. We got ourselves organized for the picture and Francesca offered to take them. Lori and I both handed her our cameras for a group shot. Here is mine.
With my camera ever ready, I asked Francesca and Dimitri if we could stop somewhere in the Coliseum for a group picture. They were both willing and Francesca asked if I had a spot in mind. I did. We got ourselves organized for the picture and Francesca offered to take them. Lori and I both handed her our cameras for a group shot. Here is mine.
Memorable Moment
Fact and Fiction at the Fabulous Forum
After our time at the Coliseum, we walked a ways to the Roman Forum. The Forum, was an ancient marketplace that became the hub of early Rome, and contains the ruins of many historic government buildings.
Pretty, Practical Pantheon Paves the Path to the Past.
The Pantheon dates back to around 118 AD and was built by the emperor Hadrian over the ruins of another temple. Pantheon is greek, meaning: "every god" Pan (every) Theon (divinity). It's the best preserved of all the ancient buildings in Rome, most likely because of it's continued use. The Pantheon is famous for its incredible concrete coffered unreinforced dome (the world's largest). At the center of the dome is a large skylight called an "oculus". It's recognizable for its front columned portico with its inscription, which means; "Marcus Agrippa, son of Lucius, made this building when in consul for the third time." (referring to it having been previously destroyed twice)
Curious Capture
Memorable Moment
Lannie at the Pantheon. Such a beautiful lady, inside and out.
I hope Francesca is happy with this picture of herself. I hope she also knows what a treasure she is!
After our busy day of sightseeing, those who signed up for the optional dinner were taken to a restaurant and served a wonderful pasta, salad, turkey and potatoes and a tiramisu dessert. We were also given all we wanted of red and white wine as well as some strawberry wine, also called "sexy wine". Dimitri had taught us early on that before drinking our wine, we should be toasting each other with "meaningful eye contact" or else we would be cursed with seven years of bad sex. Since our group was very obedient, we took meaningful eye contact to new levels. You could always count on one of us to call out, "meaningful eye contact!" before we drank.
Meaningful Eye Contact pictures courtesy of tour-mate, Julie!
In case we hadn't seen enough, Dimitri took us on a night walk on our way back to the hotel so we could see the Trevi fountain. Unfortunately, the fountain was still being restored, so our views were limited at best and without the option of tossing a coin. Instead, we were led to the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers) in the Piazza Navona which was designed in 1651 by Bernini. It was also the sight of a scene in the Ron Howard/Tom Hanks film, "Angels and Demons". There, we tossed our coins, hoping it will lead us to return to Rome some day.
Lessons Learned
I'm NOT a city girl. I had a bit of a love/hate relationship with Rome. There is no denying the beauty of the history and culture, it surrounds you at all times. But, for a small town girl (230 people, remember?) used to lots of space, I felt very claustrophobic and un-nerved by the crowds. Will this prevent me from returning should the opportunity present itself? Heck NO! I am all for trying to conquer my personal issues. My anxiety in the large, city crowds was due to a lack of exposure. I've been to plenty of rock concerts where bodies were pressed close in the pushy crowds, and I did just fine. That's familiar to me, and in the joy of the music, I could overlook the press of the crowds. So while I struggled in the big cities on this trip, I know each future experience and exposure will build my confidence and lesson my nervousness.