Roma-Day UNO-Norv

Rome – Day 1:
We finally made it to the apartment. Thank goodness we took a taxi – I would hate to think what it would have been like trying to find the street on our own while schlepping the bags.
A nice woman, Sharon Alexander, is taking care of the apartments for this holiday period. She showed us to our apartment – but the AC didn’t work. It was a nice place, but since Italy is running in the 35-40 C range (that’s high 90’s and above folks) – AC becomes a necessity. However there is another similar unit available – not quite as nice – but COOL. So we settle into 108. And collapse. Just a little stretch and I’m gone. We can here the boys snoring up in their loft – guess last night’s all-nighter has caught up to them. Mel and I go into the supermarket to stock up the fridge – breakfast, lunch, laundry soap, drinks. Stupid Americans, don’t even know how to shop. They had to show me how to weigh and print tickets for the veg’s – what – no Raley’s process. Our bags are way to heavy, but it’s only a short walk back to the apartment. Looks like we’re ready.
Well, we drag them up around 6 and head off for the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Foutain. We’re going to use the Metro – a 3 day pass for 11 Euro each – this looks to be a good deal. It’s a great system. The St Paolo (St. Paul Basilica) station is about a five minute walk – Sharon tells us to make certain to use this stop. Of course, I rush and pick the wrong direction – but we get straightened out quickly, make an easy transfer, and get off the Metro right next to the Spanish Steps – just as the sun is setting. Tourists everywhere – but it’s cool. Melie had found a restaurant in the Italy guide – wonder if we can find it – hey, guess what – there it is – Otello Concordia Restaurante! No reservations, but no problem – we settle into their patio and have a nice dinner. Then its back to the Spanish steps and off to the Trevi fountain. This was a little less clear – but we found the fountain all lit up – and jammed. Every once in a while you’d hear the police whistle as someone tried to step into the fountain. It was extraordinary – truly a beautiful place.
It’s late, so back to the Metro – they do tend to hide these stations pretty well – you’re never certain until you’re right on top of it. But we got back to the apartment – even if I was dragging. Collapse – thank god the bed’s comfortable.

Rome – Day 2:
Mel still needs to find an Internet Café – there’s no wireless. So we decide that I take the boys to the Coliseum. A little breakfast – I make some sandwiches- and we’re off. We get off at the Colleseo stop and there it is, the Coliseum right in front of us. I had planned ongoing to Trajan’s Column and working back toward the Coliseum. As we worked up to the Column, we passed through much of the Forum area. They’ve shut off much of the area, but you can look down into it. Eventually we get to the Column and start back. Next stop, the Palentine. Glen had asked Chris to take a picture of the Coliseum from the Palentine hill – he had tried to take one when he was here, but the picture never came out. We trudged through the many ruins – you need to buy a ticket to the Forum, Palentine, and Coliseum—but it works. At the top of the hill, we saw the ruins of the Emperor’s Palace—originally built by Augustus and finished/redone by later emperors. At the top of the hill was Mussilini’s palace – now used as a museum. We saw lots of examples of the marble walls, mosaics, and fresco’s. We wandered around the hill, and think we found the spot where Glen took the picture – so we took another one, two, three, four. Then on to the Coliseum. It was good we already had a ticket – it really shortened the wait. We were able to wander around both levels of the Coliseum – lots of pictures. They’ve built a stage on one end of the Coliseum so that you get a great sense of where the floor of the stadium really was – some of those folks were really close to the action. So the temperature has been very high – it’s hot as hell! Fortunately they have lots of little springs where you can fill up your water bottles. It’s really great that you can get water without needing to part with several Euros. There was a really long line at the last water station – however it’s amazing how few water closets there are. Lots of places to put water in but not many to get it out.
As we walked back, Chris really wanted to stop at Mickey D’s for an ice cream. Now you need to know that I consider this most profane – Anything to avoid a McDonalds in Rome – when we have all this Italian. Well, just outside of the Metro station was a Bar – but in these bars they serve beer, booze, sandwiches, and Gelato – so Chris had to deal with Gelato rather than McDonalds tastee freeze! It is interesting that “bar” has such a different meaning here. Back to the apartment – hope Melie is there. She lets us in – she has the only keys but has only just arrived. While we rest from the Coliseum, Melie heads back to the Spanish Steps – she’s finally found an Internet Café – but of course Blackboard has been down almost all “day.” When she returns, we go across the street – there is a café with a terrace that looks out over the Tiber River. It’s really Italian – there are no English menus which we’ve been given in the more “touristy” areas. It’s a struggle but we end up with some really good food – and more good Sicilian wine.