Last Day of Trip
Trip Start
Jan 01, 2009
1
8
10
Trip End
Jan 13, 2009
Rome,
Lazio,
Italy
Monday, January 12, 2009
I just read all the blogs and I apologize for all the tpoyos, er typos. I definitely need new glasses and where the computers are is usually very dark and the combination for makes for many typos.
You would think that drivung 10 miles to the train station to drop off the car and catching the 12:09 train to Rome with a reserved seat would be pretty straight forward, but nothing in this country is easy. They provide the greatest scenery, places to visit, food, and people, but provide roadblocks (no pun intended) all along the way. First of all the Avis is not right in front of the station as the lady from the hotel, Pucci, indicated. Second when we went to the front door it was locked and it took several minutes for the attendant to arrive from who knows where. Third we had to use the restroom, but it required a fifty cent deposit into a slot and we only had for one of us, so Laura went in and do not ask what I did. Fourth while we were standing on the platform waiting for the train which was due in a few minutes, an announcement came over indicating that the train would be 1 hr and 20 minutes late. Fifth we went into a cafe for cappucino and I received 10 euro less than I was supposed to in change, and when I walked away and questioned the cashier, she immediately gave me the correct change as if she knew all along. Sixth, I asked the ticket guy where car number 10 would be front or back of the train so we could get into position when the trains opened its doors and stayed open for the required 8.5 seconds (slight exaggeration). He told me the front of the train, but when the train eventually did arrive 1.5 hrs later, car number 10 was in the back. Seventh, we had to walk through the train to get to car 10, which was very difficult. Eighth, when we got to Rome and asked for a diet coke for Laura the guy said 3 euros. I said to him, ok and how much for natives of Rome because 3 euros is highway robbery, 4 dollars and fifty cents. He shrugged his shoulders and we laughed. Just a typical day in Italy.
We have seen magnificent things on this trip, but at a price. This trip has been wonderful and very stressful, like Rick Stves has said about Rome can be said about everything, Italy is "wonderful and brutal at the same time." We are in a lovely hotel in Rome but it is raining (not Italy's fault), So we are just hanging around and the going for a walk in the rain to perhaps buy some pasta to bring home, for our friends to enjoy at one of our dinners, and then dinner at our favorite restaurant in Rome, Giglio, then sleep until 5:30 AM and then the trek home.
So this has been very memorable, and we are probably taking a break for a while, and then getting ready to plan the next trip, to who knows where, but in Italia for sure. My favorite things about the trip have been our two friends, Lidia and Luca and all the wonderful people met through those friendships. Cinque Terre, Chianti, and Civita come close behind. And of course, Firenze !!! See all of you soon.
Love
Laura and Alan
