ROMA

DAY 13 Rome.
What a day!!!! Good? Bad? I just cant say. Did I throw a coin into Trevi fountain to guarantee a return? NO!
We caught an 8 am train from the port city of Civitavecchi Italy to Rome. We traveled the entire day with Brian and Renee, which made the day more fun. We exited the train at St Peters station and walked to St Peters’ square. We only had a very short wait to entire the basilica it self. Totally amazing!!!!! We walked around inside for about an hour. Next we went to the grottos to the tombs of the Popes. Of Course, Pope John Paul’s was the most crowded. St Peters tomb is there as well.
After leaving the Vatican walked to the Metro, stopping for gelato on the way. The metro was easy to figure out. Once the train arrived that was a different story. NYC sub ways are like a Disney ride compared to the pushing and shoving that went on here. Plus the dirty arm pit smell did not help.
We exited at the Coliseum. We walked directly into a large labor demonstration and parade. You do not want to be in the middle of flag wearing, and waving group of pissed off Italians. We did the out side visit of the coliseum since it was closed for the labor day holiday. Next we walked the outside of the forum since it to was closed.
We then took a taxi to the Pantheon. Also closed but it was the cab ride of death. NYC can not hold a candle to this ride. We have some video to add to the web page latter. Next we walked to what I really wanted to see. The piazza Novana. AH the four rivers fountain…. Covered in scaffolding and not running.
We found this amazing restaurant on the square for lunch. Chris and I had a glass of bottled water. 2 canned iced teas. An Parma ham appetizer. Pasta carbonara, lasangna and 2 chocolate truffle gelatos for desert. The bill was a whopping €71.00. That’s a little over $100.00 US. I guess we paid for wonderful food in a great location and an unforgettable experience.
We then walked to the Trevi Fountain. Beautiful every one should see it. I think every on did today. There were literally thousands of people there. The crowd leaving the fountain was suffocating. I really thought I might just have a panic attack. The pushing shoving and slapping. Yes 2 German men slapped Chris in the face repeatedly while he was trying to protect me on the stairs. Renee was getting ready to hit then with her water bottle.
We then hiked over to the Spanish steps. Covered with people and more scaffolding on the top. We found the metro, which was bursting at the seams. We squeezed into the train and headed for termini station. Once there we caught the express Euro star and got the hell out of dodge. The 45 min ride took us to the solitude of our floating palace…… Paradise.
It was an experience to say the least. I am glad we got to do it and we laughed on the train about all the funny things that happened. We had great company with us and that made the day wonderful.
So it was a fun day in its own way.
It is about 745pm now. We have just set sail. The next port is only about a 125 miles away. I think we are just going to do the buffet tonight and skip getting dressed up, and relax. We will meet the gang for drinks first