Got up early and Savage went out for a run. I got up, got ready, and got packed (in my little overnight bag, thank you). When he got back he was soaked, said it was more hilly than he expected. I wonder if he went all the way around the walls.
Had breakfast overlooking the valley, I love this little B&B. Can you imagine living in a small place like this? Very European.
We packed the car and left out. After we were on the road, I realized I had left my hat somewhere -- probably at the B&B, knowing my luck. C'est la vie. I drove first and then when we got to 7 + lanes of traffic. Maybe this wasn't for me. Stopped at the “Super” Auto grill -it covered the whole Autostrada and had a creepy elevator -- we took the stairs on the way down- and switched drivers. Group decision for me to navigate and him to drive in the Rome traffic. They even made the firetruck pay a toll, what's up with that?
On our drive, I weaseled out of Savage four things he would like to see and do in Rome -- Colosseum, Forum, Pantheon, and Trevi Fountain (or was the Trevi Fountain my pick?). We weren’t that early in Rome so we only had a few hours of touring time.
The roads were a little confusing, and my track record on hitting the right road on this trip wasn’t good. (But my recovery was very good.) Well, we took the wrong way on the Ring Road (ie the Loop), ended up on the Saleria Road into town. I expertly directed Savage right past the hotel and took the round about and finally ended up at the hotel. We even got to drive through the city gates -- how freaking cool is that?
As I was going to be in Rome for a two days and nights by myself, I had booked a 5 star hotel -- just like a Southern Belle princess :) -- Baglioni Hotel. We showed up looking like a rag tag pair, or more descriptive - well traveled and well worn out -- Kiwi in his singlet (ie wife beater),ratty shorts and jandals; and me in my ratty shorts, wrinkled shirt and flipflops. All we needed to check in was an igloo cooler with duct tape and Wal-mart bags to look like bigger rednecks -- yes, Savage, you might not think it but you are a redneck (it’s not a place it’s an attitude). The entrance hall was very well lit.
The reception desk was a touch screen computer. Our room wasn’t ready yet, but we totally unloaded the car and left our luggage (with dirty clothes) with the bellman. We started hiking toward the Trevi Fountain (on the way saw the Sephora). Stopped at a little cafe for lunch. I had weird pizza -- tomato paste and gross cheese on bread. It was too hot outside to eat much and I didn't eat much of it. Savage had another panini sandwich - he is leaving tomorrow -- his last lunch in Italy.
We strolled down the souvenir shop lined streets, there were lots of tourists out. A little people watching along the way -- lovely man in all white with a nice rainbow purse. Savage wasn’t liking this crowd at all but I did so appreciate him taking me to the fountain. I wanted a good picture of me in front of the fountain -- he takes good pics FYI.
yes, that is a dude, or at least a male
I just don't have words for this outfit ....
At the fountain, tons of freaking people, I didn’t like that either, wanted out of here quick. Got our pics. Tossed our coins (doubt the two of us will be back here together -- or anywhere together, but I will definitely be back here sometime).
Wandered down to the Pantheon -- lots of walking in this city. Gotta love those Yellow Box flipflops (didn’t know when I threw them in my bag at the last minute, I would be wearing them everyday -- and have the best tan lines of my life).
check out the crowds in a magical city
Passed a lot of walking tours - people wandering around with headphones and little boxes around their necks. I should try to get on one of these tours, maybe.
this is one of the Kiwi's favorite outfits
Pantheon is always an amazing site (I have been to Rome a couple of times -- love it). So many people milling around -that when I went in, I lost Savage. He was in the middle taking “uplifting” pics in the center under the hole in the roof - he likes to take pictures with the camera on the floor and pointing it up toward him.
I always like walking around in this building. I blocked out all the people and just looked up. I love the ceiling and it’s intricate carvings. To think this building has been here so long --- longer than my country. I have been here before and it was almost empty, very pleasant experience. It's one of the most moving places in Rome (to me it's better than the Vatican).
We wandered out and then headed toward the Piazza Navona. There was a mini BMW golf cart type vehicle here -- in the land of Ferrari and Vespa this should be outlawed (along with the smart car, aka tin can on wheels). I mean really, is it a motorcycle, a scooter, a golf cart? Decide already.
On the path to the Piazza, we passed a massive government building -- you should see the “guns” on their police. :) Some even had machine guns too. A cop in the parking garage stall had a machine gun. I didn't take pictures of them as I didn't want to risk an Italian arrest on my last few days here.
In the Piazza Navona -- the magnificent fountains, Savage liked the smaller fountain better. I love the big fountain with the Bernini pieces. I could stand here forever just looking at the animals in the fountain. The piazza is huge -- it was once used as a stadium. Now there are lots of little kiosks with art and street performers.
Thankfully found a taxi stand (remember it was hot out) and went back to the hotel to see if we had a room yet -- it was getting close to the old man’s naptime. When we got back to the hotel, one of us must have good karma as we got an upgrade -- very swanky room. Had beautiful purple velvet headboards, a bathtub/shower, a dressing room/closet and a big TV (had English movie station, BBC, and CNN). :) love 5 star living -- Wish I could afford this all the time. I kept telling Savage when he got rich with his surf training or hit the lottery, he was paying for the next trip and we would stay at all 5 star hotels... But I have to say my favorite hotels are the more quaint ones -- Villa Adriana, Ripa Medici, Hotel de Pietra and my most favorite -- Hotel Belvedere at Lake Como with the window looking out over the lake.
While the old guy slept, I played on the internet -- and realized we were right across the street from the U.S. Embassy (omg -- talk about the most unsafe place we have stayed yet, but I so miss home - been gone too long). Went back upstairs and got my travel buddy awake and moving - he did want to see the Colosseum, and I would have been a bad tour guide to allow him to miss it.
On the way to the Forum (isn’t that a song?) Savage wanted to make a dry run of his journey for tomorrow to the airport --- so we braved the subway. (OK, I am getting sick now about him leaving me, the crowds here were overwhelming. I just wanted to grab the back of his shirt and not let go. I wanted him to lead me through the crowd, but I manned up (ie put my big girl panties on and dealt with hit -- I am not a wilting violet but a steel magnolia) and handled it on my own. I was not going to let him see me have an anxiety attack.) After climbing a few sets of stairs, made it to the train station -- and I let him trek down to the area to where the airport train was. Savage can’t be bothered with lots of things so he decided he would fork out money for a cab to take him to the airport (it’s a set fee -- I got ripped the last time I was here in 2004 -- things have changed since then). He couldn’t be bothered with dragging his luggage through the crowded subway and through the train station. As I recall the last time I was here with him, he deposited me on the Milan train and helped me with my luggage and then left me to battle the trip with Giorgio and the Italian Stallion (that was a memorable journey in itself).
We walked to the Colosseum -- no matter how many times I have been here -- it’s still an outstanding site - and I always think the same thing - it’s really not that big (remember we have the Superdome -- pathetic American that I am). The history here fascinates me -- it’s the model for the “Dome”, Death Valley, Mile High Stadium, etc ... I love the little details, the gate numbers, the seats, the views into the ruined pits.. You could visualize Russell Crowe coming up out of the pit to fight (one of my favorite movies). I love sporting events, and hopefully if I had lived during the time, would have been in a toga going to an event here of some sort (just hopefully not to see Christians being eaten by lions).
Tried to go to the Forum, this is where our luck changed a little, we got there right as they were closing. Savage said we would hit it next time and take a guided tour (no matter what, I was so proud of us -- so many tourist sites in one day and not one complaint from the Kiwi -- I think he actually had a good time on his last day in Italy). We saw a wonderful chalk artist.
Took a great taxi (my feet were black from all the walking) back to our area -- was so relieved I didn’t have to get back in that subway. My good old dear sweet friend, on his last night in Italy ( this time -- he will be back), was so nice to me and treated me to the Hard Rock Cafe :) I needed that American style hamburger and fries so badly I was so homesick. I appreciated it, and was quite surprised, as we should have found a great Italian restaurant for him to eat at instead of the classic American overseas hangout.
We got to eat outside in the glass booth -- wicked. Got to watch a school group of teenagers as they waited. It was so much fun to make up stories about what they were up to -- you could tell which cliques were which. I would have been the nerdy girl on the side of the group. He would have been the center of attention with all the cute girls hanging on. There was a rose seller there too, trying to force them to buy the flowers. Savage guessed the kids were Spanish, I thought they were American -- too many Coach purses not to be.
On walk back to hotel saw weird sites.
his favorite phrase even to this day
can't believe I am seeing this over here.
Got back to room and realized it would be lonely without him here with me, but I think I would like it too. I took a great bubble bath in that wonderful tub and got my black feet clean. The A/C wasn’t regulated well and Savage kept adjusting it. He packed up all his stuff, as he was leaving early. Very impressive he can travel for such a long time with one big backpack. Would he wake me up before he caught his taxi? I was exhausted from all the walking we did today. But when in Rome ..... Sweet Savage, grazie for another wonderful Italian road trip, I am breathlessly awaiting another one, but I know that is not to be.
No comments:
Post a Comment