European Adventure: A Trip to Rome

This morning we said goodbye to Portici and caught the train to Naples in time for an 11.30 train to Rome. We got to Naples with loads of time, bought our tickets to Rome, searched for an ATM and a toilet (a never ending quest in Europe!!), got on the train and proceeded to sit on the train still in the station for 45 minutes! We're sure there was information about a delay coming over the loudspeaker but of course we couldn't understand it! Anyway, we're travelling now finally and some funny things are happening so I thought I'd blog! Claudia has just reminded me that I've had two train trips now where I've had no-one beside me. On our way to Naples, she had someone on either side of her, one of whom was a man who talked to himself constantly. Today she has a woman next to her who has three phones! Between texting, talking loudly on the phone to various people, recording loud voice messages and then playing them back to herself, she is also encroaching on Claudia's personal space quite often. She even placed her sandwich on Claudia's tray at one stage. She's lucky Claudia didn't eat it!

Every now and then, the guy with the food cart comes down the aisle offering food and drink to buy. Just now he has come past with a pile of socks to see if anyone was interested. Socks!?! I got the giggles!

So we are now in Rome in a teeny tiny apartment. We are not all that impressed with it but it's in a great area full of restaurants and fantastic buskers and 'atmosphere'. This area called Trastevere dates back to 753BC but it has a very medieval look and feel. Many of the streets were cobbled in the 12 th century. We managed to find the right bus to get here but got off a stop too late meaning that we had a bit of a walk along cobbled streets pulling our suitcases - not the easiest thing in the world to do!!

We went for a walk this afternoon to Gianicolo Hill (up quite a few stairs) and were rewarded with spectacular views across Rome. Then we walked across the Ponte Sisto bridge to find a supermarket for some fruit and found some interesting little shops with lovely leather bags. We were restrained though - mostly because we are only allowed 20kgs in luggage while we're in Croatia!!

We ate dinner at a little restaurant in our street and listened to some excellent buskers singing opera and have come back to the apartment to chill. We feel like two old ladies tonight!! Our legs and feet are aching!!!