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So this morning we were up at a lovely 5:30am, and I noticed a common occurrence in our adventures. We always seem to have to run somewhere. And we usually have to run when it's very early in the morning and when you brain isn't awake enough to differentiate between being mobile and falling on your face.
True to the trend, we got out of our hotel later then planned and ran to the metro. The metro to the airport took about an hour or so, and I was treated to the usual Greek-guy staring. I've gotten pretty used to it, apparently it happens to all the young girls.
The criminals we are, mom and I accidentally tried to bring two bottles of water through the gate. Whoops, we are so bad. We had to get an escort to dump it out.
Aside from the man who was dragged yelling and hand-cuffed out of our gate, our transition was pretty uneventful and the flight was quick. In a few short hours we had gone from Greece to Italy. From Greek signs to Italian signs. From Greek boys to Italian boys. Only kidding, dad.
So a couple of comparisons, Athens vs Rome style. Rome is architecturally fantastic. All the buildings are historical and incredible, making it a very beautiful city. Athens had amazing architecture too, but it was contained in districts and didn't spread as far as rome's. But Athens was much cleaner and friendlier. The athenians where always willing to help you out and will smile and say hello. Romans make it look like you asked them to swallow glass whenever you speak English to them. Rome is also much busier, there are alot of tourists. Further comparisons to follow.
When we flew into Rome we got on the train to rome's main station, termini, which is near where our hotel is located. After walking in several circles and trying to interpret some vague Italian instructions and finger points, we found our hotel, dropped off our bags, and armed with only a map we headed out.
We discovered quickly that since there are so many tourists in Rome, we are dispensable. Pedestrians have no priority in Rome, so we had a careful walk to the bus station.
We found that we were very unprepared for Rome busses. We managed to find the correct bus with time, and hopped on right as it pulled out. Then came the kicker: we where supposed to buy the bus tickets before getting on, and the bus was already driving away. A lady heard my mom and I freaking out and ripped two tickets out of her booklet for us. Good karma for her. So mom went to validate the tickets in a machine on board and it started beeping loudly at her because she was doing it wrong. That incurred further help from a local nearby. Then there was me, holding my huge Rome map, squished up against the driver because the bus was crammed, trying to figure out if we had gotten on the correct bus. We were quite the disturbance.
Minor disasters aside, we got off at the stop nearest to the pantheon and walked up the beautiful streets. The pantheon is a massive domed church that is thousands of years old. It was huge and incredible from the inside and outside. There were many rules that restricted entry, one being that you were not allowed to lay on the floor. Damn, I was really planning on that. Especially with the hundreds of people walking by.
Next we played the game of how good is ali's sense of direction. Many of you know it's not good at all. Like really at all. But with my map (and the signs that said 'Trevi fountain--this way') I got us to Trevi fountain. Trevi fountain is truely a work of art. It's just huge, almost like a waterfall. We threw 0.20 euro in, traditionally tossing it over our shoulder and making a wish. It was very busy there.
Next we went to the Spanish steps. I can't even describe all the people. There where thousands of people, from everywhere and anywhere. The diversity was just amazing, and the steps where beautiful.
After sitting for a bit we walked through some more streets and piazzas, shopping and taking photos. We found the most expensive street in Rome (gucci, d&g, the whole works) and admired $1500 bags and $700 sunglasses. We even saw a wedding on the Spanish steps.
When we got too far away to walk back to our hotel (more like I was too tired to even attempt the walk) we tried the Rome metro to our hotel. Today we have been on an airplane, train, bus, and metro. Only mode of transport we are missing is by donkey.
Then we went out for dinner and something pretty funny happened: we got charges 2 euro for the 'cover'. After a few minutes of our waiter trying to explain to us in limited English what 'cover' is, we gathered that we were paying for the upkeep of the tablecloth that covers the table. Ripoff? I think so.
Tomorrow we leave Rome for a few days, but we will be back. Onwards, to the amalfi coast.
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