Our last three nights in Rome :-(

Once again, Rome turned on the rainy weather for us.  When we departed last time, it was pouring and when we arrived this afternoon, it was pouring again! Claudia bought a rain jacket for her suitcase again and I bought a new umbrella (after leaving mine in a cafe in Dubrovnik!) There are guys all over the place in Rome who have a plethora of umbrellas and raincoats to sell to people when it's raining. The apartment was about a 20 minute walk from the train station which was ok apart from trying to hold the phone with the map as well as an umbrella as well as pull a suitcase! Oh the joys! We would have caught a cab except the line was a mile long and the quieu was in the rain.  We decided to suck it up and walk! 

The owners of the apartment met us here - they are both teachers.  Imagine our relief when we walked into a spacious, clean, safe apartment and joy of joys, it has a real kitchen! We're so glad we cancelled the other apartment and found this one! The supermarket is literally at our back door so after a cuppa, we bought some fresh veggies and steak and made the decision to eat at home.  I know that to some that would seem sacrilegious, to be in Rome and cook at home, but we are actually a bit over eating pasta and pizza and seeing no vegetables on the menu!! It was also still raining and not really a night for wandering around looking for a good restaurant. 

There have been a few times when we've arrived and met the host and they've asked if a double bed is ok - in other words, why are two women renting a one bedroom apartment? The host in Portici told me she was expecting me and my husband, not me and a friend. When I explained that Claudia was my partner, she was fine, but it's been an interesting process! Even on my airbnb reviews, the hosts have assumed that Claudia and I are just friends.  The host in Paris, whom we didn't meet, wrote a review saying that Helen and her husband left the place in an immaculate condition! Today we once again had to assure the host that a double bed was fine! 

Tomorrow we plan to visit the famous landmarks in Rome - the Trevi fountain, the Colloseum, the Spanish steps etc.  We have purchased 'Skip the line' tickets to St Peter's basilica for Monday, but didn't bother with a guided tour.  We'll probably buy an audio guide again. 

We can't believe that our holiday is coming to an end.  We've seen so many beautiful sights.  Of course we are really looking forward to seeing family and friends again, but the thought of work is making us both feel ill! Thankfully we both work with lovely people so that'll make things a bit easier! We'll just have to save up for the next holiday now!! 

Our very nice apartment!