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Published: July 20th 2009
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Lauren Jacobsen, Eurostar
Lauren on train with laptop. Power socket meant no running out battery. Four hours of peaceful, airconditioned, movie-watching bliss. Up in time to have a quick breakfast in the hotel. The very friendly desk clerk insisted on making (very tasty) cappuchinos for us even though we were in a bit of a rush. Turns out, we weren’t really in a rush at all. The water-bus to the train station went very smoothly and we arrived more than an hour early for our train. The Italians were true to stereotype and train was 40 minutes late. Once on board it was a very comfortable, relaxing and smooth ride. There was a brief moment of panic when it seemed like maybe we had failed to understand that we were supposed to change trains in Florence (almost everyone got off there and when the train left Florence, it reversed direction), but it was in fact the correct train to Rome. Arrived in Rome very hungry and the heat was a shock after the air-conditioned train car. We took a taxi to the rented flat and got a brief introduction to Rome from a very expressive taxi driver who spoke little English. The flat wasn’t exactly what we were expecting - up many stairs and not in the best shape, but we definitely feel
Andrew and John on Train
Starved for 21st century entertainment and out of his head with exhaustion, Andrew single-mindedly re-acquainted himself with Nintendo DS like we are in the city! Up to the fifth floor, very hot, and all the expected amenities were there, but none of them actually functioned. Wiring did not support the electrical load, so the circuit breaker kept being triggered, even by things as little as using hot water and lights at the same time. Biggest issue is that we didn't want to be part of the Great Rome Fire of AD 2009 on the fifth floor with only one narrow escape route down five flights of stairs. No internet either -- didn't realize how much we liked it! There is an expansive private terrace on the roof, but it is HOT up there. Still very hungry we headed out pretty quickly. I think it was still early for the Italians to be eating, but we have gotten reasonably comfortable with being the tourists and have largely given up on blending in with the locals. Sonia noted that Rome doesn’t seem to cater to tourists quite as much as Venice and our lack of Italian may be more of a barrier here. We walked a few blocks to the spectacular Piazza Navona and after a few photos, settled in for
John, Lauren, Andrew at Piazza Navona
About a block from our "flat". The HEAT in Rome makes even standing next to the fountains emotionally refreshing. a dinner at one of the very tourist-oriented restaurants. Food was pretty good and the view of the square from our sidewalk table was lovely. Quite a mob scene but what a beautiful fountain! Home and exhausted, we all slept in the one room with good air-conditioning -- Sonia, Lauren and Andrew shared the bed vertically, while John lay at the foot of the bed horizonatally like the family dog. Oh -- if only we could sleep like this at home!
Andrew adds: I bet if you were to take all the words in Italian gratzie is the easiest to learn. The next day Andrew wakes up and says he has three mosquito bites on his leg.One on his ankle , one on his shin and one on his knee all on the same leg. We went to explore Rome when we saw Trevi Fountain.
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