FIRST Impression – SIRENS: We had 3 full days in Rome after we arrived and went straight to the Vatican and St. Peter’s Square. Now, three days later and away from Rome, at the beach in Ostia, my overriding impression of Rome is one of SIRENS! The near constant, loud, blaring sirens of ambulances, police, and VIP taxis (just a guess that’s what the dark blue sedans with blue lights flashing were), I find that kind of sad as there are so many beautiful places to see and explore.
SECOND – TRAFFIC: We bought two-day tickets on the Hop On-Hop Off, Big Bus and got to see all the must-see sights. Whenever we wanted to, we hopped off, explored, and hopped back on. There were rivers of people and traffic everywhere…. Big Buses (3 different lines), tour buses, regular buses, accordion buses, mini buses, taxis, electric bikes and scooters, motorcycles, regular large and small cars and probably more I have forgotten. Constant honking in a variety of tones and noise levels combined with the sirens….utter and complete chaos-but….it seems to work.
THIRD – PEOPLE: Twice, we got off the bus and walked our way back to our hotel which took us past the Colliseum, the main attraction I think. Everywhere we went, there were so many people! Singles with/without dogs, couples, families with/without kids/grandparents, tour groups of all nationalities led by a flag waving guide, all holding mobiles, taking pics and selfies, stopping the flow of humanity for a self-flattering selfie…overwhelming!But….not surprising….for us, coming from small town Lander Wyoming where rush hour is more than three cars at one of the few traffic lights, then a 50 day walk through rural Italy! We were bombarded!!
FOURTH – HILLS: Yesterday, when we got off the bus to catch the train to Ostia Centrale, what did we have but a long flight of stairs down followed by a long flight up. I said to Michael, “Another reminder of Italy….steep down followed by a steep up. That’s Italy! I had no idea it would be that way throughout!”
Pics of our time in Rome….
The Trevi Fountain was without water and entirely closed off with plastic. A lot of Rome is under construction for the 2025 Jubilee next year, including the fountain. I was so sorry because even without water and surrounded by plastic (and hordes of people taking selfies) it was spectacular.
After two days of “busy-ness” we decided we wanted a return to the peace and quiet of the previous weeks. I googled ‘Botanical Gardens in Rome’ and sure enough there was one of those. By then we had mastered the metro, bought a two day pass which gave us access to all the metro services, including to Lido Di Ostia the next day. Off we went and discovered a whole new part of Rome, in Trastavere. It was lovely! The most enjoyable day of our stay in Rome.
ENIGMAS 