Off the Map

Ciao Roma!

Here's conformation, live from Rome, that everything you think is true.

Italy lives up to the hype. Mad street traffic. Loud and boisterous citizens. Great food. Great coffee. Fashion Fashion Fashion. Scooters and the overuse of 'Ciao'. And let us not forget: History.

The city is dirty, freewheeling and exciting. Its hard to figure out what's going on, but once you do you can do whatever you want, and all the pieces fit. There is a method to the madness. This is, of course, a big contrast to Germany. Things work there too, but because of preparation and organization. Here they work because of flexibility and years of practice.



Some anecdotes: After arriving at 11pm last night (Ryanair is great, by the way!), we met up with another American girl also studying in Germany and taking some time to escape the cold and clouds - she's been with us ever since, and a great travel companion. This is what I love: Meeting up with random people stuck in a common situation, then being flexible and open enough to look out for each other and have a great time with some fresh perspectives. The 4 of us ended up ordering 2 Kilos of Pizza at 1 AM. Pizza by the Kilo. Word.

I was going thru security to get into the Vatican, a space that takes your breath away quite unlike any other man-made structure I've yet seen, and somehow managed to put my Euro change on the security conveyor, which ended up falling all over the place on the other side during inevitable confusion, resulting in a loud "Ay-yei-yei-yei-yei!" from the City guard.

Although we've received a very warm welcome overall, we were told to "Go Home!" in sketchy English by some grumpy old Italian as we were backtracking against traffic to see the Apartment in the Vatican Museum. He'll get over it. We've certainly infused a few Euros into their local economy...


10 hours of walking (not including Cafe breaks) took us to the Vatican, St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museum, the Spanish Steps, Tragan's Column, the Parthenon, and all over countless squares with fountains, churches, obelisks and fountains scattered like so many matchbox cars.

How was your first day in Rome?
"!!!".
Yes, that good. Rick Steves isn't making things up.

posted by Jason @ 11:41 pm