Arrivederci Roma

Today was Rome! We docked in Civitavecchia on the coast and headed in to Rome by train. Because it is Sunday, the train schedule was limited. We weren’t in the world’s biggest hurry, so we ended up on the 9:35 train which made several stops (at least that’s what I have been told, I was sleeping for most of the trip)and finally we got to Rome around 11:00. We switched from the train to the subway and went straight to the Colosseo (Italian for Colisseum). Newsflash, when in Rome, everyone wants to go to the Colosseo, so there was a bit of a line (three hour wait). We took our chances with a shady fellow who promised us a tour and a quick entry. It turns out he was legit and we joined a tour group and headed in-no wait! Mike and the kids had the Colosseo at the top of their list. I was content to just see it from outside, but I changed my tune once I got in. It really is very impressive. I am happy we dropped the several Euros that we did to get in there.

When we left the Colisseum it was about 1:00 and we had to be back to the train around 3:45ish to catch the 4:10 back to the ship. Now if it were any day but Sunday we would have been able to take a later train, but the next train would have put us back to the ship around 6:30, which was too late. Anyway, it was 1:00 and we had so much more to see. We knew going into this trip that we would just be getting a taste of each city as we are in port for such a short time. However, it was still disappointing to realize that we would only have a few hours in the great city of Rome. We chose just two other things we really wanted to see (Fountain Trevi and Spanish Steps) and then took to the streets. We meandered our way through the city getting glimpses of amazing buildings, old and new as we headed to the Fountain. We spent only a few minutes admiring the fountain and then we were off to Harry’s café which was recommended by Daniella our tour guide in the Colosseum. Harry’s Café sits above an entire ancient neighborhood excavated only 14 or 15 years ago. Harry’s was closed, but you could get into that ancient town through a movie theater that sits above it as well. We were happy to go in for two reasons: one we all love ancient history and two it was far underground and much cooler than the 90 degree streets of Rome.

Our bellies were pretty empty about now, we of course had a gelato earlier in the afternoon, but gelatos do not a meal make (or do they?). We found a pizza place that wrapped their slices in a nice little paper pocket so you can eat and run (perhaps literally). This pizza loving girl thinks this to-go pocket might be the next best thing. Please America, let’s do this! Pizza pockets to eat on the run-yes please! Sorry, where was I? Oh right, Rome, vacation, trip of a lifetime back to it...

 Here’s the mental picture for you, four Allens scrambling through the streets of Rome, sweating, eating pizza, snapping pictures, glancing at a map and occasionally stopping to drink from one of the many fountains of fresh water found all over the city. Side note: I think this freaked our dinner companions out when we traded notes with them over our evening meal. The thought of drinking foreign water was a bit much for them, even though the water of Rome comes from the mountains through the aqueducts and is guaranteed fresh and clean. Side note two: I bet my mother is reading this and freaking out a little bit as well. But when in Rome…

We got to the Spanish Steps, took a nice walk up and down them and then the kids and Mike soaked their heads to cool off in the fountain below. We also refilled our water bottles there, sorry mom. I chose not to soak my hair, mainly because I was having a rare good hair day and didn't want to mess with it.  Soon enough we were back in the Metro station headed for the train. There are so many places I wish we saw, like St. Peter’s Basilica and the Roman forum. I heard the Pope came out to St. Peter’s square around noon and was blessing people. I wish we could have been there for that. Still, what a wonderful day, in a wonderful city. I have heard some people say they don’t like Rome, and I feel sorry for them. It’s too bad they didn’t see it through our eyes.

Of course, the fun didn’t end there; we had a nice long train ride back to the coast. Of all the things we could have included in this blog today, Maddee and Max both wanted to make sure I mentioned boarding the train back. First of all, Mike and I thought we were so city savvy at Roma Termini, the Roman equivalent of Grand Central Station. Apparently, we didn’t look as cosmopolitan as we felt, because a kind Italian woman approached us and asked if we needed help. Good thing she did, too, because our train was already at the station, but was at track 28, we were standing by track nine! We hustled over to 28 and boarded. We went through car after car after car with absolutely no place to sit. We finally found two seats, Mike and Madison took them and Max and I continued on. We happened upon a car toward the front of the train that was not only almost empty but was also ten degrees cooler than any we had been through. Jackpot! Mike and Maddee joined us and back to Civitavecchia we went. As soon as we boarded the train an all out rain/hail storm hit Rome. We watched the storm from the comforts of our train.

Tomorrow we hike Mt. Vesuvius and then go to Pompeii. It’s supposed to be about 90 degrees again and no shade. Still, I have a feeling it will be worth it! Arrivederci.