BENVENUTI A ROMA- most of the day on our own --kinda’

A Collette representative met us after we collected our checked bags  and guided us to the bus for our hotel.  But first she dealt with a torn suitcase problem.  One of our group’s new polka dot suitcase had a chunk torn out of the side.  Not sure if it was just extraordinarily rough handling, it got caught on something sharp, or just what.  (FYI, she taped it up for the trip back and the tape was hanging in strings when the trip was over.) My tight strap around my case was half off when it came down the ramp--  Don’t think anyone took it off intentionally, but again, must have caught on something and partially came off.  Be careful out there.

We met in a garden room of the Hotel Dei Borgia for a “paperwork and get to know you” time while the rooms were being cleaned.    We met with our Tour Manager, Alexandra Dorobantu (Alexa) who was checking us into our rooms.

After getting the info she needed, she suggested we go walking around and get some lunch since the rooms might not be ready til after 2pm (we’ve already lost 6 hours—this meeting began about 10ish  -- 5 am Texas time.)  Another informational gathering will be held in the hotel at 5:30 to go over the week’s schedule and for Alexa to give us  a page of Italian words and phrases.   

We went out for gelato (Nick prided himself in having gelato twice or 3 times a day—that may be why he came to Italy)   followed by lunch.  I had a Panini and Nick ordered a pizza.  At most meals, we tasted each other’s food so we could get a wide variety of taste experiences. 

We walked to the Trevi fountain this first afternoon and oh my goodness!  What a sea of humanity—this was middle of the afternoon on Tuesday and the place was so crammed with tourists that we had difficulty getting very close.  Got close enough for this picture, which doesn’t really do it justice.  As with most travel pictures, the actual thing/scene you are experiencing can rarely be recreated in a photograph to the extent that your eye (and brain) can see it.

On our trek to the fountain (which interestingly enough our guide IIiedia – called “fantan”- took me a while to sort out what was being talked about.)   

Anyway, on our trek to the fountain we saw block after block of interesting/ colorful graffiti.

We all commented on the crazy driving and parking by residents of Rome.  People parked their vehicles on the sidewalk, cross ways in a parking space, or many just double parked- leaving their car in the street.  The lanes to drive in seem to be mere suggestions.  We were warned frequently to be very careful crossing streets because of the scooters.  It seems that half the population owns and drives Vespas.  Some blocks they are the only vehicle parked for a long stretch.  I’m guessing that ¼ -1/5 of the cars on the city  are Smart Cars.  

 And my friends who know me, understand my affinity for these little cars.  I saw color combinations I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen in the U.S. and several which seemed to be twins to my little Maxxy (or at least close cousins)  Not sure if it was a Smart or not, but look at this tiny little one seater vehicle.

Got back to the hotel and the room was ready.  It took us awhile to be sure we had the electrical adapter correctly configured to keep our phones, etc charged, then we napped and read.  Woke up about 4 (10am Tx. time)  to get ready for our bus to supper.