Day 1 - 'The urinals are free...' (Monday 15th September 2014)
The one thing that the sensible single traveller appreciates is the importance of economising. Needless to say, I am not sensible.
Taking the mini-cab from home to Gatwick Airport was not the cheapest option but it was certainly the most comfortable choice early in the morning. The mini-cab driver clearly wearing his 'topical' hat opted to discuss Scottish independence with me. Not perturbed by the fact that I expressed very little opinion on the matter (it's 7 am and I have been awake since 5.30 am, so as such politics is not on my list of priorities). The cab driver was in the 'no' camp, I am in the what ever the Scottish people collectively decide camp.
Gatwick Airport was the usual mess of excited and forlorn looking people watching the electronic boards for their departure gates as a bingo junkie watches the balls drop hoping to see their number drop. My plane was late. I went to the Acute Observational Committee and enjoyed the sensation of watching my liquids (body wash and sun tan cream) being thrown away as they were over sized. The lady was very nice and offered to repack my bag after stripping it bear.
The flight was uneventful. Turbulence is par for the course on most flights, so the constant instructions not to use the toilets and to remain seat belted were not surprising. I arrived in Rome Fiumicino Airport and waited forever to get through Passport Control. Then on leaving the airport, I was approached by a semi-official cab guy who bundled a whole group of us into his vehicle and proceeded to give us a historical tour as he pumped up the volume on his CD of 'Opera's Greatest Hits' and offered interjections to passing motorists who ignored the traffic lights etc. He nearly took me to the wrong hotel plus the discreet way he tried and failed to distract us from the sight of a wounded cyclist by pointing the cyclist out to us was oddly unique. I was quite impressed with the variety of construction projects and the sight of old and new Rome as it sped past.
Arriving at Romatic, a bed and breakfast hotel owned by friends, I was warmly welcomed and given much needed water and the last remaining breakfast croissant. I felt like a V.I.P. I was also given instructions as to how to get about and also where I could pick up my Roma Pass (allows unlimited travel and discounted or free entry to several attractions).
After a quick wash, I dashed out to the tourist place near the Vatican to pick up the cards (my package included two of them, one focused on the Vatican and the other the aforementioned Roma pass. The Vatican is very impressive externally and the never-ending metal detectors fill me with joy for my trip there tomorrow (I hope).
My first view of St Peter's Basilica.
Upon getting the cards, I have basically spent the rest of the day walking around, buying water from a supermarket and generally getting my bearings. Just about to go out to get something to eat. Then I will return and plan tomorrow's activities. I created a basic Rome itinerary for myself yesterday so time to see if I can visit the locations in any sensible order.
Something about the cloud coverage and cross struck me.
A day of myriad feelings. The little owl in Romatic is my new friend.
Lovely little owl in Romatic.
Barry Watt - 15th September 2014.
Afterword
I went out for a meal in a local recommended restaurant. I am stuffed after a mix of various fish dishes. Also I ate one of the finest tiramisus I have indulged in. Pinot Noir washed it all down rather nicely. Oh yes, 'The urinals are free' is a direct quote for a guy leaving the toilets in Gatwick Airport where a group of people were queueing. Use the urinals, the sealed toilets are no fun! Also the other memory now lodged forever involves a guy folding his newspaper into manageable chunks as though they were a fine meal, whilst his wife tried to contemplate how she would survive for two hours without her iPhone. Rule of thumb... It doesn't matter, turn the piece of crap off, indulge in the art of conversation or read a book!
Romatic are featured on TripAdvisor and they do have their own website if you are interested.
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g187791-d6764989-Reviews-Romatic-Rome_Lazio.html
http://www.romatic.it/index.php/en/
iPhone is produced by Apple (Not to be confused with the fruit or the Beatles's company).
BW
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