Arriving in Rome

On the second leg of our flight which was a nonstop from Detroit to Rome, we were seated in pairs...first Grandma and Gail, next Charlie and Courtney (who incidentally talked during the entire flight with the exception of the time at 2:00 AM when they, sharing earphones, broke out into song until they were hushed by Gail, and I in the third row, sitting next to the "dreaded stranger" whom I hoped would not turn out to be a large man. My hopes were dashed when I approached my row and saw an elderly man standing there...but we had "extra comfort" seats with a few inches here and there to make things roomier. And then he turned out to be the most congenial man...who was on his 40th year of leading high school seniors and their parents on trips to Rome!! He was a high school German teacher based in Ogden Utah and has been leading groups not only there, but all over Europe and the world..but funny enough, he has never set foot in Mexico!

So, the flight was a breeze and then we were suddenly landing in Italy, with the Mediterranean Sea lining one side of the runway and dozens of mini Fiats scattered about. My sister hired a car to take the five of us and our luggage into the city and soon we were heading down the freeway and covering the miles (kilometers?) between there and Rome. The streets began to be more and more congested with mini cars and motor scooters parked (squeezed?) every which way on medians and sidewalks and along absolutely every spare inch of curb to be found. And they lined both sides of the narrow and winding roads of the city center making our minibus's passage through them more and more unlikely until I couldn't believe the geometry that was taking place in our driver's head as he maneuvered through impossibly tight and dwindling passageways. When we finally parked down the street from our apartment (located near the Spanish Steps I've been told), I was relieved (and impressed)!

Our realtor showed up on a motorcycle carrying hundreds of keys. He showed us into our flat and helped us get situated. Then we ventured out for a meal (of Prochutto Pizza and Pizza Marguerita) with "water with gas" to drink and we sat at an outdoor cafe located in Palazzo Barberini and watched the people passing by. I was struck by how different the people look in this city from those in the US. The men wear suits with narrow legs and shiny fabrics or high fashion denim, the women wear dresses and heels. There are piercings and tatoos and ear-rings and hairstyles and other accutriments of urban life like you might find enmass in New York. And people are drivng and walking and talking and delivering and repairing and doing all the stuff of life in a big city. They seem oblivious to the hordes of tourists walking by and gawking at the absolutely incredible sight of magestic and ancient ruins scattered and interspersed everywhere throughout modern day (futuristic?) Rome.

It is 3:00 in the afternoon (our time) and 9:00 in the morning (Eastern US--yours). My traveling companions are all sleeping now and perhaps I should too. We plan to wake up this evening and head out for a nice dinner and a look at the Trevi Fountain and other sites nearby. I am so excited to be here and am looking forward to seeing more of this amazing place through well-rested eyes.

Love,
Ronda