Saturday, October 5, 2013

Roma!

Well, we are at the tail end of our journey and we have only one city left to Schwarzify, and she's a doozy. Im talking about Rome, Italy.

We left Cannes yesterday morning, fare-welling Krissy and baby Luana as we hopped into our trusty Renault for the last time. Final kilometre's on the clock were 5,232 - that's 3.27 times the length of New Zealand or 1,756 km's more than the diameter of the moon (the moon is 3,476 kilometres in diameter) or 41% of the distance from one side of planet Earth to the other (Earth has a diameter of 12,756 kilometres). I'm pretty sure you just thought that the earth must be bigger than that but Google it, and you will see I'm right. I was surprised. Anyway you look at it, we drove far. It wasn't that bad though, we really didn't find it that tough. Basically 90% of it was in the 10 days from when we hooked up with Rudolf in Spain.

It was with a hint of sadness that we left her with the rental company. We had become more than friends. The mutual trust that existed between us transcended any relationship that I had previously encountered with any other car. She was special. She talked to me and I listened. She spoke to me in many different accents, and I obeyed her every command. She never hassled me for anything and I fed her when I felt that it was necessary. She guided me and my family across Europe, and she did so willingly. She was incredible and will be sorely missed. We never even had the chance to say goodbye properly. I sincerely hope that she is appreciated just as much by her next companion. We left each other in Nice, but she will remain in my heart forever.

Anyway, back to the real world. The flight to Rome from Nice was quick - about an hour. We arrived in Rome in the afternoon to a grey, overcast day. But that didn't matter at all. We checked into our apartment which is in the Trastevere part of Rome. The Lonely Planet describes Trastevere as "one of central Romes vivacious neighbourhoods. Today, it is a trendy neighbourhood full of bars, trattorias and restaurants." Basically, its the perfect part of Rome. Central, close to everything that we want to see and full to brimming with food and wine places. Puuuuuurfect.

We then went for a wander to get our bearings and to find a place recommended to us for dinner. We felt like pizza - real Roman pizza, and we weren't disappointed.  

Its hard to describe Rome. You enter all these different cities in Europe as we have and somehow, although similar, they are different. They feel different. Rome is more like Paris in feel but I guess that is in relation to their size and population. I just told the family that I have compared Rome in "feel" to Paris, and asked them why do they think it feels different. Its hard to answer. Both are crazy busy. Both are dirty - especially when comparing with Hong Kong and Switzerland. Everyone smokes in both cities. Everyone drives like maniacs in both cities. The buildings are similar. Everyone is physically beautiful in both Paris and Rome. Its really hard to put into words but they just feel different. You know that you are in Italy when you walk around Rome.

Food...

Wine...

We had an amazing dinner at place called "I Marmi". Suppli (stuffed rice balls like arancini) and stuffed zucchini flowers to start, pizzas for main and a litre of vino rosso di casa for lubrication! The place was heaving. One waiter looking after tons of people, and setting up new tables as more people arrived. A massive queue soon developed and we were politely moved on so they could feed more hungry tourists and Romans. It was an amazing spectacle and the dinner was sensational - we've never had pizza like it.

"I Marmi" - makes great pizza

Pizza and vino rosso

After a good nights sleep, our plan (today) was to see the Vatican City. Chris has been there already but I have yet to. For me, this was always going to be a highlight of our entire journey. As it turned out, we spent the best part of the day checking out only St Peter's Square, and its Basilica. I use the word 'only' lightly here cause its one hell of a place. We purchased tickets to come and see the Sistine chapel on our last day in Italy, Monday at 12pm. We did not have the time to see both today plus the queue to get in to the Vatican Museum (the Sistine Chapel is in the Vatican Museum) was about 2 km's long or 3 hours wait (no exaggeration) and it was raining. So all worked out well.

The whole thing was mindbogglingly incredible. The dome that was designed by Michaelangelo and sits 120m above the alter, is stunning. We walked all 320 steps AFTER the elevator to the very top. A bit claustrophobia inducing but worth it. Yet again, and please excuse my French because swearing is not always necessary but, how the fuck did they build these things?? It beats me but the whole thing is just unbelievable.

Looking down from half way to top of dome

2 things in a small space - hundreds of things actually,
we queued for an hour

View from the top - quite nice :)

Me and the kids out the front

View to the alter from inside - quiet big

It was about 3.30pm when we managed to pry ourselves away from St Peter's and true to form, we were getting hungry plus we had some Euro's to blow before we leave in 2 days - bring on the shopping!

Lunch was wonderful, we found a little trattoria far enough away from St Peters to not be touristy. This time we had pasta. This time we also had a litre of red wine. This "hey, we are on holiday" excuse will come to a shuddering halt when we (a) get home and (b) pluck up the courage to step on the scales. We have promised ourselves to not return to NZ wishing that we had done or bought something and then didn't. The fact that "eating more than our own body weight" wasn't on that wish list doesn't matter at all.

We got home at about 5.30pm with sore feet, full bellies and a small haul of shopping. Yet another superb day - and I realise that I say that a lot. Its now 7.35pm and we are off to find somewhere for dinner soon. Cant wait to step back into the crazyness of an evening in Rome.

Tomorrow - hopefully the Colosseum and the Forum. Oh, and lunch :)

No comments: