When last we left our intrepid world traveler, he was on his way from Barcelona to Rome. The journey continues…
March 7, 2012
10:45PM Rome Time
So, my wild time in Roma is almost done. I arrived around 5:30 last night and made it to my hotel room, the Beehive, by 6:00. It was too late to travel, so instead I spent some time wandering the neighborhood. I immediately felt the cultural barrier here in a way I never felt it in Barcelona. I have had trouble communicating with the locals, having to resort to gestures and the hopes that some Spanish or English would be understood. But, despite all that, I managed just fine. I had my first taste of Italian pizza last night along with a gelato. Delicious! I may not understand much, but I would stay just for the food!
Today was a mad rush trying to get as much done as possible. I started at the Coliseum at 8:30 and I slowly worked my way across the city, ending at St. Peter’s at around 3PM. I had managed to see the Roman Forum, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps and plenty in between. By the time I got back to my room I was done for the day. There’s still so much I want to see, and that coin in the Trevi Fountain guarantees that I’ll be back some day. I really need to learn some Italian before then, though.
Tomorrow, Paris!
March 8, 2012
3:00PM Rome Time
Three quick observations while at the airport.
1. I had my first native try to rip me off. I bought a Coke for 2,80€, gave him 10€, and he gave me change for 5€. He knew what he was doing because, when I pressed him about it, he didn’t question it, just handed me the other 5.
2. Three teenage girls were standing in front of me in line. Although I couldn’t understand a word they said, their actions were just like any other group of teenage girls. They giggled, they talked loudly, they checked Facebook. Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose. If I remember correctly, that’s French for “The more things change, the more things remain the same.”
3. An elderly man argued with the flight attendant, wanting to sit in the front instead of seat 14B, which he’d paid for. That argument would have gotten him kicked from the plane in the U.S., but here, she finally gave in, exasperated, and let him sit in front. She shot him plenty of nasty looks, though.
To be continued…again…