Our shortest train trip yet! We arrived in Rome at 12. We were ripped off by a cab driver by 12:15!
Seriously! We walked out of the train station and there were sketchy people offering "cab rides". So being the smart girls that we are, we went straight to the main taxi line up. The line moved fairly quickly. There was a guy directing people to the taxis. We got up to him and showed him where we were going and he said it would cost 35 pounds. Ouch! But we had no idea how far the hotel was so we sucked it up. We got into the cab and as we were pulling away, I looked back and it registered that the guy directing people to different taxis was the guy who was driving ours. Then I looked up front and noticed that there was no meter. Still being the naive, nice Canadians (Okay, the Canadians that totally need to stick up for themselves). We got to our hotel and paid our driver. Once in the hotel we asked at front desk how much it should cost from the train station, 15 pounds! That is my first memory of Rome.
Both Sam and I were mad, but could do nothing about it so we went to our room and tried to change our perspective. We decided that since we had tours booked for the next two days and not to mention been so busy so far that we were going to find a main square, enjoy the sun at a cafe and journal. We found our way to Piazza Novona. It was a busy place, lined with cafes/restaurants that all had tables outside. We started walking through the square to find a location and the "hustlers" started coming out. They work for the restaurant and they try very hard to get people to come to their place. We happened to walk by one, and the guy was trying so hard to get us in there. Both Sam and I were like, we have been taken once already today we aren't getting talked into anything. So we continued along the way, but found no place that had a table out in the sun, except for the one place we snubbed. So we went back and hung our heads. I told the guy that if he wanted us to sit there he would have to find us a table in the sun. He did! Sam and I sat there and decided to have a mojito instead of coffee. We ordered a sandwich and tried to absorb as much sun as possible. We decided that we would we would have a small dinner later and then go out to a pub for the night. So what did we do next? We ordered another mojito! They were mighty fine, but no journal ever did get written in. We walked back to the hotel and decided to have a little siesta. Knowing fully well that no one goes out early in Italy.
At 7 the alarm went off and we were up. Both of us were not really feeling it, but we made ourselves beautiful anyways. We went to the hotel for a light supper and then headed to the Campo de Fiori. Another square supposedly where lots of people go to. We got to the one pub and ordered a drink, well low and behold each time you ordered a drink you got a free shot. And all of you know so far what that means..... No, actually it was one of the tamer nights. We just had a few drinks, talked with some of the locals and a few other travelers. We were back at the hotel no later than 12:30. (I did get to ride on the back of a scooter though).
The next day our tour didn't start till the afternoon, so Sam and I slept in. I know you are thinking you are on limited time, see as much as possible. I thought that too. But, with how tired I am at the end of the work day and at the end of the work week. I knew I needed to also rejuvenate before going back to work.
Our tour of the Vatican City, Vatican museums, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica. WOW! WOW! WOW! I am not that knowledgeable when it comes to art, I don't think I ever learned how to really appreciate it, but this was amazing. I can't describe it in words. I posted some pictures on facebook, but even those will never do it justice. It was helpful having a guide who was so knowledgeable. He pointed out things that a person would overlook if they were going through on their own. It was a little weird standing in the place that the Pope comes out onto his balcony to address his followers. I am not sure how anyone could go into St. Peter's and not feel at peace.
After our amazing tour, we needed a little glass of wine to sip on so we could soak in our day. Sam and I decided that we would head to the hotel, chill out and then go for our last supper in Italy. We went to this family run restaurant. I hadn't realized that the focus of their dishes was seafood with homemade pasta. I was a little concerned when the waiter came around with a push cart full of fresh fish. He would take out the whole fish and flop it around to show the guests. It was a little creepy for me. There wasn't a whole lot that I would chose off of the menu, but I did decide on the lobster pasta. Good, but not fantastic. Seafood like that is not my cup of tea. But, the wine and the company were great so it made up for the food. I still left feeling full, it may have something to do with the Tiramsu I stuffed down at the end. We went back to pack up, knowing that our last day was going to be busy.
Both Sam and I slept like crap. I had two bloody noses, which so rarely ever happens to me. I think we were both worried about how we planned on managing the Colosseum tour, picking up our luggage at the hotel and then making it to our two o'clock train. But with my controlling nature, and my muscles we did just fine.
Unfortunately, we only got to stay for half of the Colosseum tour. But, we did get to go inside the Colosseum itself and that was the most important. It was strange to be in there. I think because I have seen replicas of it from Hollywood movies. So I kept thinking, that is were Russell Crow came out of. It is not that I didn't appreciate it, I definitely did and again it helped a lot having a guide to give us all of the history. Pictures on facebook again don't do the real thing justice.
So our final hours in Italy, we had to get to our hotel pick up our now even heavier suitcases and head to the train station. I of course did some more last minute shopping in the train station. Sam and I grabbed another sandwich, (bring on the carbs) and found our way to the train. I had to lift both mine and Sam's suitcases by this point. So funny! We took the train to Pisa, again I slept most of the way. We found the airport and were so happy to ditch out luggage for a short time. I would like you all to know that my bag only came in weighing 20.4kg and Sam's weighed 22.6. So I was doing a little better. Our flight was only an hour and half, which I again slept the whole way. We arrived in Gatwick, London just after midnight. We stayed at the Holiday in just outside of the airport.
Sadness would not even describe what I felt when I got up. Knowing that this was the last I was going to see a familiar face for the next 7 weeks. We enjoyed breakfast in our room, which was hard for me to eat through the tears. At noon, Sam and I said our good-byes. She was off to Heathrow to fly home and I was off to take a train, 2 tubes another train and a taxi to get home.
In summary, Italy was all that I hoped it would be and more. I was very lucky to share the experience with Sam. I will treasure the memories forever, all the ones I have shared in the blogs with you and the ones that are locked away for only Sam and I to remember.
