Ciao Roma!
So I've been going cold turkey with the whole 'back to reality after holiday' thing. It hasn't been pretty. I *think* I'm over it now but apologies for the tardy post about Rome.
What an absolutely amazing holiday. Everything about it was just perfect. M had managed to arrange superb travel times so that we were flying to Rome early morning, arriving there about 9.30am and flying back at night, so full days either side.
I had pre-warned the Mr about my fear of flying but I don't think he fully appreciated it until we were up in the air and I was saying "what's that noise" and *panic stricken* "they're going into the cockpit, why are they going into the cockpit" for the thousandth time.
I was particularly bad on the flight home - it was a night flight, I think it's because I can't see the ground. I asked him if it made him scared with me being so panicky (I once frightened a nice Irish man half to death on his second flight out of Dublin) - and he said no. Much crying ensued and after I was settled again with deep breathing he leaned over and said "you know you asked me if you scared me, well you do. Not because you're scared of flying, because you're an effing nutter". Oops.
I digress. I think Rome is actually my favourite city to visit. It was the most perfect place to be in for my 30th. I think you could spend 50 years there and barely scratch the surface but we definitely packed out days to try and take as much in as possible.
The hotel we stayed in
Hotel Mascagni was absolutely perfect. The room was spacious and light, with fantastic air-con. The staff couldn't have been more helpful - we asked for a couple of recommendations on restaurants and they were utterly superb. Proper family run Italian eateries which weren't on the tourist trail. And the breakfast was great - eggs, sausages and bread, as well as the more traditional Italian pastries and cakes.
It was 34°C most days so we acted like Romans and got out of the hotel as soon as we'd had breakfast, saw sights until the sun went to oven-bake status in the afternoon, went back to hotel for a small siesta, then out in the evenings about 9pm.
After we'd covered a lot of ground on foot the hotel suggested we take a bus tour of the city to experience the further to reach places and get another perspective. It was definitely money well spent. There were various bus companies all around the city but we chose 'Ciao Roma' (or the blue buses).
We didn't realise at first but they seemed to be the most popular, although that might be because they had less buses running. As they were so packed it seemed like we'd have to go on a full tour round the route before we got off anywhere in order to get onto the top deck and really see the views. No matter though, we really managed to get our bearings that way.
On the second day the bus was relatively empty when it came to pick us up so we got straight upstairs and to the front which was the most sought after position it seemed. It was far too hot because the glass shield in front of us was cooking our legs. We decided to move back at the next stop. Our chance came so we got up. As we did, a youngish girl came charging at us so that we couldn't pass. She wanted to be in our seats but she had to go back in order for us to move. Anyway, it turned out, as she was moving back another couple snuck into the seats to sit next to their friends.
She had no choice but to sit one row behind the front. But she didn't like that, as M was sitting in her old seat she came running back and said that it was her seat and we couldn't sit there - like if she couldn't sit at the front she didn't want the alternative. Honestly, I've never known anything like it! I had to sit on her bag in the end and look the other way - I think if you get up from a seat, the general rule is, you've given it up - especially as she had somewhere else to sit. For the rest of the journey until we got off she kept turning round and giving us evils. It was quite funny really. The laws of the double decker tour bus!
We took soooo many pictures. I couldn't possibly put them all up but here's a little taster:-
The amazing view from our hotel room.
The awesome Trevi fountain.
It earns around 80k euros per month due to the legend that you should throw three coins into the water.
It goes to the Italian Red Cross, a nice thing I thought.
We decided to take another picture just to show the depth of people.
It was very busy.
The reason I was so excited about Rome - The Colosseum.
Unfortunately the queues stretched round the whole of the bottom layer like a rollercoaster ride at Disney.
We saw a LOT of it from the outside, next time, when it's quieter, we will go in.
Major of Rome's house on the right. On the left are steps leading up to a very trendy
Catholic church that people like to get married at. Apparently if your children misbehave at the wedding you can throw them down the steps. Awesome.
The Basilica of St. Peter at The Vatican.
Imagine having this kind of architecture on your doorstep!
A very swanky hotel. With a very half naked man at the top, naughty man.
View from the top of the Spanish Steps.
At the top of the steps were stalls where several artists were drawing caricatures of people.
When walking passed a particular stall the man said "to look it is free". We were like, err thanks.
A particularly nice sign. There were lots of these.
The most wonderful Pantheon.
An awesome spectacle and like many others, just down a random side street.
Oh and free to get in too.
Another of Rome's fountains.
So this is where Julius Caesar was bumped off.
However the most amazing thing has happened here. Some stray cats moved in and claimed it for their own. Then some volunteers moved in to look after them all and now it's a
cat sanctuary. We went down to see the kitties, they were gorgeous! Lots just lounging around in the sun, some younger ones waiting to be old enough to go out, even disabled cats. They are so cared for, a lovely lady gave us a talk about what they do for the cats - they even give you a tour of the ruins if you want one.
Some lazy catfaces ♥
This fountain was where we waited for the bus outside our hotel.
It was covered with scaffolding for repair and was finally unleashed on our last day, how awesome?
One of the delightful restaurants. They had great desserts.
How amazing do these sandwiches look?!
Oh. How did this one get in there?
I was convinced this man was having a 'nice' dream. M said it was his belt. Hmmm.
Everywhere in Rome are these parasol men. They are waiting at every bus stop on all the tours waiting to pounce on people. They shout 'hello', 'hello' - once they've got your attention, even if it's just a slight head turn they shout 'brello' or 'handfan'. They were so funny - persistent feckers. M started saying hello back at one point but it turned into our greeting to each other throughout the holiday - and it's still going strong. We imagined there was a very rich hellobrello mafia type man in a tower at the top of Rome looking over all of his minions. We didn't actually hear them say anything else. In fact, they could have been robots.
The thing we noticed about the tour bus, was bad hair:-
Exhibit A
Exhibit B
And finally - the apparent church of scooters.
I actually can't wait to go back.
