Our day began at the Villa Zucarri in the Umbria region. It was so cool and quiet where we were staying. We had our last breakfast that is made fresh each day. I sat on our private patio and finished my third book. I was hoping to finish it so I could leave at that nice hotel. Now I am down to my last book. I have a feeling when I get to Sorrento I am going to want to have a few books to read, but I will have run out of reading material.
We drive the rental car back to Avis and got a taxi to take us to the train station. Since I like to be earlier than late we got to the station with about 1 1/2 hours until our train. I was just hanging out reading my last book.
When the train came we had to jump on and then go through about 3-4 cars to get to the #1 car. It was hard with the luggage, but since Mark is hauling around my big bag I am not complaining. Just telling it like it is. We finally found our seats. We weren't sitting together so I got lucky (NOT) to sit next to a young Italian woman who talked on her phone almost the entire way to Rome. Uggghhhhh...it was that she was either talking to someone on the phone or blowing her nose. Yuck! I was glad to get away from her. It was hard to read when someone is talking, talking and talking.
I couldn't believe how big the train station in Rome was when I first saw it. It is the largest station we have been at in Italia. We found the taxi area without too much of a hassle. We had a nice taxi driver. It didn't take us too long to get to the area we were staying in, but he told us to go down some stairs and we would find the hotel. I saw the sign so I knew it was around. We hauled the bags down some big stairs and realized we were in some back alley. I didn't love it so I had Mark wait while I went to ask for some directions. I found an antique store and the ladies were nice enough to tell me that we had to go back up the stairs and the hotel should be right there. It was up the stairs, but it looked like an office building or residence entrance. I was so happy once we were inside and able to cool off. It is hot here in Rome. I mean actually hot! We got into our room, unpacked some things and then decided to go find a nice caffe and relax before we started to explore.
We were told about the Piazza Navona which is a very famous square here. There are three amazing fountains there and it is surrounded by caffes and ristorantes. In the middle of the square where the fountains are located are thousands of tourist. Every shape, size and color. It is just a sea of people. There are also people selling art and some people dressed as different characters that are supposed to look like statues. It was a lot to look at while we ate and walked around. We had a very delicious meal. I had a very spicy penne. Our first meal which consisted of Mark and I splitting a caprese salad and then we each had a pasta. We had water and Mark had another drink. It came to 53 euros. Really....that is like $78 in US dollars. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We had been warned about how expensive the food was here, but now I know it really, really really is expensive. Yikers. We luckily budgeted for the expensive food when we planned the trip. So, we are going to enjoy and not worry too much about it. Heck, you only live once, right?
Our waiter told us an area to walk down to when we had finished our meal. We headed out with the sea of people. We came to an area that is an archeology sight. They have uncovered an old church that was buried under a new church. When the new church was being demolished (it was obviously older at this point) they unearthed the ancient church. There are all of these feral cats living there that have been given their shots and "fixed". You will see one of the pictures with a calico cat among the ruins. It was neat to see. Mark wouldn't let me go down and see them or pet them. I guess he thinks I night get scratched. It could happen. It made me miss my little cats, Baloo and Noche.
We continued walking and walking. I was beginning to melt and I was so thirsty. Luckily for me we were finally get closer to our hotel. We stopped and got some water and a little gelato. I had already walked off my meal (for real, I really did).
Now, we are back in our hotel. Relaxing and planning out tomorrow. I am going to the Vatican for sure. We bought a Roma Pass so we can see all the sights. I am really looking forward to my private lunch with the Pope. (Hahaha...just making sure you were paying attention. I really don't have a lunch date with him. I am sure if he knew me he would want to sit and chat.) I will update you more tomorrow.
We are lucky because at this hotel we have free wi-fi in our room. Yipppeeeeee....it makes it easier to blog when I can get on it without any time restrictions.
I'm off to rest up before our full day tomorrow. I have to see Roma in 4 days.
Ciao!
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