I'd received a shock this morning, Young Blood left at 630 to go Jumping, and I thought it was just Eric and I. I was peacefully having a cuppa ( using a stolen tea bag - we've recieved no instructions here on what we can and can't use) when an old man shuffled into the kitchen in his inside out pyjamas. It was like Central Station two people in my personal space so early in the morning. He at least nodded in friendly manner. Me being quite the linguistic spoke to him in Italian asking him how he was feeling. He responded with strong British tonality - sorry I don't speak Italian.
It turned out he thought I was Italian and part of the family. He gave me some excellent advice on which metro line to catch to get to the Spanish Steps for our free Roman walking tour. However with one thing and another we missed the tour so we got tickets for the hop on hop off bus which my big sis Erica had recommended.
Termini was the starting station so we bought some metro passes and off we went. At the station tour desk we were pointed in the direction of a bar across the road from where the GLT left every 10 minutes. Although it had been drizzling we decided up top was still the better option.. Once on board we struggled to find audio points that worked with our earphones but finally we were equipped with sound - in English . We did the circuit twice so we could listen to the commentary and get good photos. I prefer audio guides to a live human on a tour bus as you select your language and off you go. On the way to Keukenhof last April the very linguistically talented gentleman spoke about each item on our bus tour in 5 languages at the end of it I wanted to throttle him!
We decided to get off at the Trevi Fountain as I'd watched the romcom Three Wishes, I have no idea what that chick wished for as she had men falling at her feet. I just wished the traditional wish which is to return to Rome one day! Although it was drizzling the fountain steps were still packed. Eric was on fire today with his photography and filming. It was so much fun being a stereo typical tourist and throwing in a coin!
Hungry little munchkins that we were we'd stopped for lunch in a side alley on the way to the fontana. I have been told never to order the turistica menu but it was very good. €13 each got me pasta Carbonara, veal scallopine, insalata, tiramisu and bread for the table! It was great, imagine the price of that in Cairns! ?
We boarded the GLT again, and then got off at the next stop - The Spanish Steps. We were a bit confused as we couldn't see them. Anyway time for nature to be attended to at the trusty McDonald's, after walking 200 metres underground in a maze I got to use the seatless dunny! I asked the man at the table beside me when I was waiting for Eric. He told me it was 25 seconds away!
The steps we'd arrived at were the back , we climbed up the 138 steps, feeling exhilarated when we reached the top. The sun was setting , the azalea displays were out. It was akin to stepping into a picture postcard that we'd seen advertised by the souvenir shops!
An Indian Rose vendor tried to sell us a rose but we had no money so refused repeatedly. Eric walked off a few metres and the guy gave me 3 roses and said that they were a present from Rome. BTW this is not a racist statement but I have not seen any other ethnicity selling roses. I showed Eric and the guy came up to him and said "Come on man give me some money for the flowers"
I was just gutted by his sly ways. I tipped all my coins into his hand and gave him the lot it was about 80cents. Then I gave him back the roses and said that he was very dishonest, he forced me to keep the pink rose which then featured in the beautiful photo of Roma that I took. We caught the tram back home and had a horrid cold kebab experience then dove into bed!
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