Roaming Rome
9.17.16 Saturday - Rome, Italy
We are getting so much accomplished each day that the days are starting to run together and I can't remember what we did yesterday!
This morning we got up and had breakfast at our B&B, Ca' Pozzo. They had your traditional Italian breakfast but I was able to make some toast and get a hard boiled egg! After breakfast we had to make like a tree and leave to catch our train!
During a three hour and forty minute train ride we managed to have our personal space invaded multiple times (different cultures don't freak out at being close to someone like we do), see some beautiful scenery, and got told not to put our feet on the seats across from us. We were real ready to get off that train! Lol. We did have free wifi though so at least there was that.
On arrival to the Roma Termini station, one of the major stations in Europe which sees over 150 million passengers each year, we were feeling the excitement of the next adventure! Pretty much everyone had told us to be quite cautious so we were very aware although everyone was wearing their backpacks on their backs and didn't seem to be feeling overly insecure in general. We bought tickets for the Metro (a three day pass for all public transit) and began to follow our host's excellent directions to the B&B.
This was EP's first subway experience! We got down into the tunnel with all of our crap and we see two police officers, one very angry looking. The train was there, doors open, so we started to get on but when I did they started to close so I aborted the mission but the train didn't leave the station. We looked around to see the police staring into the train and communicating with the driver. They were yelling in at someone and eventually the doors opened and we saw a young man take off down the subway tunnel with the police chasing behind, hands on guns. They came back empty handed and sternly reminded us to hold our purses. It was a little scary!
We found the B&B easily, "A View of Rome," and it was just that. Lourdes greeted us and showed us around. She also gave us some tips and filled out a map of the city for us, what to see, where to eat, and most importantly where the good gelato is! Oh did I mention the "lift" [elevator] is from like 1930?! 😱 It's terrifying! Anyway, we changed into drier clothes (the subway was hella hot) and headed directly for lunch. The place Lourdes recommended was called Zigaetana and it was DELICIOUS. EP and I split bruschetta and each got ravioli with spinach and ricotta in pomodoro sauce. 😍😍😍 I also got a beer and it was VERY refreshing, although you aren't supposed to get beer with pasta. Oops!
After our late lunch we decided to scope out the Vatican shops because we needed to get everything that had to be blessed Sunday. The shops closed shortly after we had a chance to look around but it was okay because we wanted to sleep on it anyway. Do you want to know why we got there so late? Because we turned right instead of left.. and walked. Around. THE WHOLE COUNTRY [Per the website 'Quora', "Vatican City is considered a separate sovereign state to that of Rome, and is the smallest country in the world!"]. 😳😂 We also learned (while on the train) that St. Peter's Basilica is the world's largest church, extending 615 feet and containing 11 chapels and 45 altars. I'll give you more St. Peter's trivia tomorrow.
Next we went to the Trevi fountain because Lourdes suggested we go at night to see the beautiful restoration and lighting elements. On the way, we passed a famous gelato spot that she had recommended, Giolitti's, and had to try it. It was so fun! The servers wore suits and bow ties and the counter was a mad house. EP got raspberry & Oreo and I had coconut, chocolate, and almond. YUM.NAfter the detour we made it to the fountain. It was really beautiful, although packed. We threw our coins in and just watched & listened to the water for a bit.
The Pantheon was nearby so we decided to stop there on our way to dinner. Unfortunately many of the lights were out (or broken?) but we did take some photos. If we have time we will revisit it during the day.
We were heading back in the direction of the B&B and got a little turned around a few times but eventually we found a restaurant to try for dinner. We both got pizza and it was good! I will miss the food here very much. After dinner we got back to the B&B and I face timed pops & got to see my puppiessss!!! Bentley was very confused. 😍😍😍🐶🐶 Then I face timed my momma and got to see my lil nugget niece & nephew and my biiiig nephew Brody! And my sister too!
Then we went to sleep.. with an early alarm set 😩
Buona notte!
