Up at 6 and off to the train, only 10 Euro return ( and we still have the tickets as no one checked them either way)
Had breakfast at the Termini ( railway station) when we arrived as I was ready for a coffee and cornetti ( croissant) . Then went to look through the international bookshop for an English book to read and the sales man was a very friendly chap, “where are you from? How long are you here?” then went away. Then came back “how long are you staying? Do you like Italy? Then went away Then “ are you married” then went away then finally as I was leaving he came up to me and said “you are a very lovely woman”
How could you not like this place when strangers offer compliments in shops… all single NZ’ers 
should head to Italy. Then P came back and we headed off into the Rome morning, luckily it was the coolest day we have had and a very pleasant temperature. We walked to the Coliseums and then through the Forum which a huge area of Roman ruins and buildings and arches, the Palatine hill area etc and lots of tourist groups with
guides. Was great to walk amongst it all. Then into the Capitoline Museum ( dates back to 1471) ( I had read the guide book the night before to slim down the list of must see places as I realised I could never “do Rome” in a day) the museum was wonderful lots of sculpture, paintings ( Judith of course , check your bible for the story) and amazing wall and ceiling paintings. Underneath was a pre Christ temple and remains from the bronze age. It linked underground through to the other building and masses of marble busts of famous Romans. Totally cultured we headed off to the Vatican City and St Peters square and Basilica . Was a walk through the windy back streets and wide main streets lined with imposing buildings and every now and then 
a Piazza and a fountain or statue or three.
Lunch in a back alley at a street café.
Made it to St Peters and joined the queue, we had to go through the metal detectors and then the “proper clothing inspectors “ no exposed shoulders or knees. Once inside “wow” this place is
huge and impressive, I am sure my photos do not do it justice. I think you will have to come visit. I was surprised that it was so big that even though a steady flow of tourists were there it was possible to be totally on you own in a section of the church.
It was confession day and a group of priests arrived and went into the confession boxes, we watched for a while the person confessing the longest by far was a small nun in a white habit, she must have been making things up to stay as long as she did.
From there we walked back along the Tiber and then Via Corsa ( the posh shopping street) only
stopping to buy gelato.
Then on to the Trevi fountain which had the highest number of tourists ever seen. Lots of NZ’ers in Rome easily spotted even before the
y spoke as she was pale and he had on jandles and an All Black t shirt. From there was wandered through the streets checking out any cultural/historical bits as we went and then on the train at 
8.40. A long day, very sore feet but well worth it.
Had breakfast at the Termini ( railway station) when we arrived as I was ready for a coffee and cornetti ( croissant) . Then went to look through the international bookshop for an English book to read and the sales man was a very friendly chap, “where are you from? How long are you here?” then went away. Then came back “how long are you staying? Do you like Italy? Then went away Then “ are you married” then went away then finally as I was leaving he came up to me and said “you are a very lovely woman”
How could you not like this place when strangers offer compliments in shops… all single NZ’ers 
should head to Italy. Then P came back and we headed off into the Rome morning, luckily it was the coolest day we have had and a very pleasant temperature. We walked to the Coliseums and then through the Forum which a huge area of Roman ruins and buildings and arches, the Palatine hill area etc and lots of tourist groups with
guides. Was great to walk amongst it all. Then into the Capitoline Museum ( dates back to 1471) ( I had read the guide book the night before to slim down the list of must see places as I realised I could never “do Rome” in a day) the museum was wonderful lots of sculpture, paintings ( Judith of course , check your bible for the story) and amazing wall and ceiling paintings. Underneath was a pre Christ temple and remains from the bronze age. It linked underground through to the other building and masses of marble busts of famous Romans. Totally cultured we headed off to the Vatican City and St Peters square and Basilica . Was a walk through the windy back streets and wide main streets lined with imposing buildings and every now and then 
a Piazza and a fountain or statue or three.Lunch in a back alley at a street café.
Made it to St Peters and joined the queue, we had to go through the metal detectors and then the “proper clothing inspectors “ no exposed shoulders or knees. Once inside “wow” this place is
huge and impressive, I am sure my photos do not do it justice. I think you will have to come visit. I was surprised that it was so big that even though a steady flow of tourists were there it was possible to be totally on you own in a section of the church.It was confession day and a group of priests arrived and went into the confession boxes, we watched for a while the person confessing the longest by far was a small nun in a white habit, she must have been making things up to stay as long as she did.
From there we walked back along the Tiber and then Via Corsa ( the posh shopping street) only
stopping to buy gelato.
Then on to the Trevi fountain which had the highest number of tourists ever seen. Lots of NZ’ers in Rome easily spotted even before the
y spoke as she was pale and he had on jandles and an All Black t shirt. From there was wandered through the streets checking out any cultural/historical bits as we went and then on the train at 
8.40. A long day, very sore feet but well worth it. I will be back 
1 comment:
Looking at your photos - gee some of those buildings are looking a bit dilapidated, you'd think they could spruce them up. And all that water all over the place, what is it with Italy, is the whole country under water or something? SFV
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