I know it’s been quite awhile since I’ve written a blog. Vic has been keeping you up to date on our adventures. I have been not really in the “blogging mood” since arriving in Rome.
Florence was a city relatively compact and intimate, with more pedestrian traffic than automobile. Within a week or so I was able to get us most anywhere in the city by heart. In contrast, Rome is big, sprawling, and full of cars (a large percentage are Smarts). Usually within a few days to a week I have a good grasp for a city. We’ve been in Rome for 2 weeks and I still don’t feel as though I’ve got a “lay of the land” as much as I would like. Although every time I lead us to exactly where we need to be with minimal map use Vic is amazed.
Rome has a variety of mass transit options but I don’t always find them trouble-free to use. The bus routes are not easy to follow. There is a relatively new tram system but I haven’t figured out where they go yet. The metro is often VERY crowded with little seating and if you are standing the jerky stop-and-go can catch you off balance if you’re not careful. We have used the metro the most but usually walk where we need to go unless it is really cold, late, or far.
We’ve seen many of the main attractions on previous trips, so have been just enjoying getting a gelato here and slice of pizza there and just “being” in Rome. We wander around seeing churches since they are full of beautiful art (and they’re all free). We plan on venturing a little out of the center of Rome to go to the catacombs later this week and a short trip back to Torre Orsina just before we leave. Besides that there may be a museum or two we may visit.
After two months of whacking at my hair myself I broke down and got a haircut. I was a little apprehensive to get it done, I know it is just a haircut and grows back if you don’t like it but a bad hair cut isn’t fun to deal with either. So I was vacillating back and forth on whether to get it cut while I was here or not. I knew if I went to a central tourist area they would speak English but I also knew they would charge me an arm and a leg.
One day we last week we walked by a hair salon. I contemplated getting it done but it was just before lunch and I was hungry and didn’t want to deal with it. After lunch I stopped by. The lights in the shop were out and Mario, the owner, was reading his paper just inside. We asked if he was open. He was excited to have us come in and flipped on all the lights. It was €30 (about $40) for a shampoo and cut – less then I pay at home. He spoke barely any English and, although I speak little Italian, we were able to understand each other enough, I guess, since I was happy with my hair.
The last couple weeks I have been able to talk to my brother and my mother twice each via Skype. It’s great, free, clear picture and sound, and no noticeable delay. I was able to give them a tour of our apartment real-time. Technology is amazing!!! Anyone else want to video-chat?
Rome has a variety of mass transit options but I don’t always find them trouble-free to use. The bus routes are not easy to follow. There is a relatively new tram system but I haven’t figured out where they go yet. The metro is often VERY crowded with little seating and if you are standing the jerky stop-and-go can catch you off balance if you’re not careful. We have used the metro the most but usually walk where we need to go unless it is really cold, late, or far.
We’ve seen many of the main attractions on previous trips, so have been just enjoying getting a gelato here and slice of pizza there and just “being” in Rome. We wander around seeing churches since they are full of beautiful art (and they’re all free). We plan on venturing a little out of the center of Rome to go to the catacombs later this week and a short trip back to Torre Orsina just before we leave. Besides that there may be a museum or two we may visit.
After two months of whacking at my hair myself I broke down and got a haircut. I was a little apprehensive to get it done, I know it is just a haircut and grows back if you don’t like it but a bad hair cut isn’t fun to deal with either. So I was vacillating back and forth on whether to get it cut while I was here or not. I knew if I went to a central tourist area they would speak English but I also knew they would charge me an arm and a leg.
One day we last week we walked by a hair salon. I contemplated getting it done but it was just before lunch and I was hungry and didn’t want to deal with it. After lunch I stopped by. The lights in the shop were out and Mario, the owner, was reading his paper just inside. We asked if he was open. He was excited to have us come in and flipped on all the lights. It was €30 (about $40) for a shampoo and cut – less then I pay at home. He spoke barely any English and, although I speak little Italian, we were able to understand each other enough, I guess, since I was happy with my hair.
The last couple weeks I have been able to talk to my brother and my mother twice each via Skype. It’s great, free, clear picture and sound, and no noticeable delay. I was able to give them a tour of our apartment real-time. Technology is amazing!!! Anyone else want to video-chat?