I slept until 9:30, which is NOT early. Arrived at the train station, only to realize I didn't have my Eurail pass. Went back to the apartment and got it. Returned to the station at 11:30. The LONG line was only slightly moving, and I think it was from people giving up and getting out of line. So I gave up on that idea - hopefully it will happen tomorrow.
Next, I came home and researched different open air bus tours. The only tours I found with good ratings were private; the only bus tours I found had terrible ratings. Since I have seen most of the city anyway, I scrapped that idea, grabbed my book and headed to Campo de Fiori. Every morning this square has an excellent fruit and vegetable market. In the afternoon, vendors close shop, street cleaners come and restaurants close. Five or so hours later, the party begins again: great restaurants, street musicians, music and drinking fill the streets.
I enjoyed my favorite meal thus far in Rome here. For 13€ I had the menu del giorno - the meal of the day - a beautiful mixed green salad with cherry tomatoes, carrots, balsamic oil and vinegar; beautiful bruschetta on toasted bread with oil and delicious, ripe, red tomatoes; a pesto pasta with a very strong pine nut taste; and a cappuccino. Each course was so beautiful I wanted to snap photos, but was too busy eating before I realized there was nothing left to capture on my plate.
Side note: After browsing at the Termini book store for half an hour yesterday, I asked a worker his favorite book of all time, granted it had to be in English. He looked at me a little funny, and asked, "my favorite?" and pointed out The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera. I instantly bought it and have begun reading it. Alex, this might be a close second to The History of Love. Prepare yourself. If it continues to get better or even stay as good, I may ask this guy's opinions on some other books.
After my late lunch, I started to walk toward Piazza Navona, another exciting square. Although the weather was forecasted to have only a 20% chance of rain, it began to sprinkle. Being the cheap(ish) traveler I have become, I refused to buy an umbrella from street vendors and trotted through the rain with my jacket over my head. My destination in the piazza was a gelateria recommended by Rick Steves. Imagine me, running along the outer perimeter of a square, trying to stay under roof ledges of three or four story buildings, dodging other tourists who have staked claim to this precious semi-dry spot. The rain drops quicken, and so do I. I am almost at a full run now. Both of my arms are holding my jacket, shielding at least my face and hair. My bag is slung over my shoulder, bouncing up and down. My jeans and Converse are soaked, and of course I am dying out laughing. What a sight. Look at the American run. I finally make it to the gelateria, and the man at the door shoos me in as if he had been waiting for me. The man behind the counter makes a recommendation on flavors and size - I get a scoop of Nutella and something with chocolate flakes. I make my way to the back of the shop, which is getting fuller by the second, to eat my gelato and whipped cream it a soggy, wet peace. Here I end up making friends with the owner and manager (who asks me out), and tell them how I found out about the place. Lo and behold, the weather gets worse! Not only is it pouring, but it is hailing now! Really?
hail on the streets
my new favorite gelateria.
After leaving my new friends, I began wandering the streets. The great thing about Rome (and another very old cities, I assume) is that so many beautiful things are hidden or unpublicized. I was walking down a random street and noticed groups of people entering/exiting a church. I walked in, and BAM! Gorgeous.
beautiful, random church.
How can there be so many beautiful places in this city?
Earlier in the day, as I was leaving the apartment and walking to Campo de Fiori, I noticed two guys taking a picture in front of the Colosseum. One was wearing Sperry's and a pair of Costa sunglasses. Instantly I thought, "These guys are definitely American, probably even Southern." Well, not long after leaving this random church, I saw the guys again, walking with Rick Steve's Europe in hand. What are the chances? I stopped them, told how I was a stalker and introduced myself. This is the way to meet friends, FYI, in case you ever have trouble. They are from Myrtle Beach, SC. We became quick friends as fellow travelers, and we spent the afternoon seeing more tourist spots and had dinner in Campo de Fiori. That square has some yummy food. Here is a shot from the top of the Spanish Steps. Sorry no pics of the boys, we took some with their camera - I'll try to get a few.
All in all, it was a good day. Even though I didn't rest and didn't get train reservations, it was a lot of fun. At least I know my legs will be in shape when I get back to the US. Oh, and my friend Cris, the Argentinian, was finally able to rent a car and drive to Florence for a couple days. He said he would keep me updated on his journey.
Time for sleep!
No comments:
Post a Comment