I arrived early Sunday morning in Rome after a restful, relaxing flight from JFK. I missed my travel buddy when they served Mimosas - no one to share a few sips with this trip! After dinner on the plane and a few glasses of wine, I read a little but slept most of the flight. Once in Rome, I made my way to the hotel, took a shower and was ready to do some sightseeing. Usually, after a flight from the US, I'm tired and just want to sleep the first day but I was well rested today and ready for an adventure. I took the train into Rome, found the Metro and my first stop was one of my favorites, Trevi Fountain. Seeing it again reminded me of visiting the fountain during my first trip to Rome. You can hear the water from fountain while you are still several streets away from Trevi and it sort of builds up the anticipation of seeing the fountain. After turning a corner, there's the fountain in front of you There's also a little Gellatoria right before you turn the corner, so it's my tradition to enjoy some gellato along with the sights of Trevi. A wonderful combination. And....I'm doing tons of walking so I deserve a sweet treat. I threw a coin in the fountain to insure my return to Rome some day and was off for more sightseeing. I visited the Pantheon and the Basilica of Neptune. A pretty interesting spot - the Pantheon, built in 27 BC, is the only architecturally intact monument from classical times. Many Italian kings and queens are buried in the basilica attached to the Pantheon. In 609 AD, the pope changed the basilica from a pagan temple to a Christian church and it is now known of St. Mary's of the Martyrs. I did some more wandering through the streets, had dinner and headed back to the hotel for the evening.
Monday was going to be my big Colosseum and Forum day but there were other things in store. Twenty minutes after the train left the station, someone decided to end it all by jumping in front of the train. A pretty gruesome start to the day. The Italian Police arrived about 45 minutes later, determined it was probably a suicide and made everyone get off the train. They wanted to talk to each passenger to see if they saw anything or saw anyone push the guy. Of course, the police only spoke Italian and I only spoke English (or just enough Italian to say I only spoke English), so they took me to the police station so I could talk to someone who knew English. About 2 hours later, someone showed up to talk to me but all I could tell them was, I saw nothing; I was sleeping. So, they said I could leave. What the heck? I had no idea where I was and had no idea how to get to the next train station. My Italian police friend called a taxi but guess what??? The taxi driver spoke no English. Finally, he understood my attempt at 'train station' in Italian. I crossed my fingers and sure enough, he took me to the train station to get on another train into Rome. With most of the day gone, I did make my way to the Colosseum. It was well worth the trip and as grand and breathtaking as I remember it. Plus, the sun was setting and it really was a spectacular sight. Ahhh....if only my High School Latin teachers could see me now! Back to the hotel for the night and some rest.
Tuesday was my last day in Rome before boarding the cruise ship. I was up early to visit the Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums and St. Peter's. No matter how many times you visit St Peter's, there's alway something new see. But....what's with the tourists posing for pictures at the crypts of the Popes? Looks like Pope Benedict has gone high-tech - there are several new jumbo TV screens around the square. Darn! Didn't see the Pope but some people I met on the cruise said they saw him on Sunday. After the Vatican, I walked down to Castel Sant' Angelo. The fortress is built on the banks of the Tiber River and was originally the site where Hadrian's Mausoleum stood. Next onto the Spainish Steps, Piazza Di Spagna. It's a shame there is so much graffitti around Rome. It spoils so many of the sites. Eventually, after dinner, I made my way back to my hotel for the night and to re-pack.
Ronda's Top Ten Italian Favorites
10. Ruins
9. Italian Men who think you aren't capable of eating a meal by yourself
8. Gellato
7. Spaghetti, real tomato sauce, cheese and basil (no more Prego/Ragu for me)
6. Sidewalk cafes
5. Limeoncello (still don't know how to spell it)
4. Italian Red Wine
3. Italian Pasateries (maybe that's spelled wrong too but the bakeries are wonderful)
2. Open air markets
1. Italian hand gestures
