"Not all those who wander are lost." - J.R.R. Tolkien
Never did I think I would quote "The Lord of the Rings," but here we are. First full day of wandering around Rome and I couldn't feel any less lost. Although I've been to this incredible city twice before, I'm a mere stranger to these streets and to the tourists and the locals alike. But I feel oddly at ease and at home already.
Being sick with a nasty cold, traveling the long distance, and now jetlag is definitely presenting sleep and lack of energy challenges. But right now, I'm up for anything. It's all part of the experience. I woke up at 3:30 a.m., which wasn't a total loss because I was up just in time to watch my Golden State Warriors play Game 6 against the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA Playoffs via a live stream online. And believe me, when I watch my sports teams, I'm always wide awake!
Being sick with a nasty cold, traveling the long distance, and now jetlag is definitely presenting sleep and lack of energy challenges. But right now, I'm up for anything. It's all part of the experience. I woke up at 3:30 a.m., which wasn't a total loss because I was up just in time to watch my Golden State Warriors play Game 6 against the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA Playoffs via a live stream online. And believe me, when I watch my sports teams, I'm always wide awake!
Watching the Warriors win online.
After the Warriors got an exciting win, I went back to sleep for a few more hours, just as the sun was struggling to come up behind thick, grey clouds. I got up to a cool and rainy day in Rome. After a quick breakfast I went in search of the first of many cappuccinos that will undoubtedly ruin all prior and future cappuccinos I consume in my lifetime.
The keys to the apartment I've rented for the month look as old as the building and there's one of those primal elevators, the kind where you have to open a metal door and then a set of wooden doors within it. (FYI and note to self, the elevator won't move until you close those doors behind you after you step inside. I learned this during the minute or two I was inside waiting for absolutely nothing to happen.) The elevator is just big enough for one person to stand comfortably. If anyone was with me, I'd probably just constantly take the stairs to avoid the slow rise to the sixth floor within a confined space, breathing with another human. Although, I should probably take the stairs anyway…
The keys to the apartment I've rented for the month look as old as the building and there's one of those primal elevators, the kind where you have to open a metal door and then a set of wooden doors within it. (FYI and note to self, the elevator won't move until you close those doors behind you after you step inside. I learned this during the minute or two I was inside waiting for absolutely nothing to happen.) The elevator is just big enough for one person to stand comfortably. If anyone was with me, I'd probably just constantly take the stairs to avoid the slow rise to the sixth floor within a confined space, breathing with another human. Although, I should probably take the stairs anyway…
Building elevator and keys
So without any real plan, I walked outside and then into the metro to buy a ticket and hopped on line A with no real direction in mind. As someone who usually loves to plan and always needs a direction, my current comfort with spontaneity is refreshing and slightly terrifying. All I knew was that other than the caffeine fix, I was in dire need of an umbrella. Luckily there are men walking around everywhere selling them, so after I got off the metro, an endless array of umbrella options came to me.
When I exited at the Barberini station, it was just a few minutes walk to the famous Trevi fountain. I figured, why not start there? In 1995 and 2001, I contributed coins to that fountain, wishing as all Roman tourist do, to come back to this marvelous, chaotic urban jungle. Rome's history spans thousands of years, and here I am among the 2.7 million residents and countless tourists, new umbrella and goofy smile in tow, looking up at one of the most famous Roman landmarks.
When I exited at the Barberini station, it was just a few minutes walk to the famous Trevi fountain. I figured, why not start there? In 1995 and 2001, I contributed coins to that fountain, wishing as all Roman tourist do, to come back to this marvelous, chaotic urban jungle. Rome's history spans thousands of years, and here I am among the 2.7 million residents and countless tourists, new umbrella and goofy smile in tow, looking up at one of the most famous Roman landmarks.
Trevi Fountain on a rainy Friday afternoon
Now as if straight out of a movie, the slow, steady rain turned quickly into a full-blown downpour. I ran and ducked into an open courtyard door with a bunch of strangers because my new umbrella was suddenly useless. I stood there and looked around. Cobblestones, old brick walls, open window shades, concerned faces and a sea of colorful umbrellas shading drenched tourists and their expensive cameras. Pretty much everything was as I remember it. Except maybe all the people taking selfies, (myself included). Not many of us did that in 1995 or 2001, especially on 35mm film that we'd later have to take to the drug store to develop.
Trevi umbrella selfie
Trevi Fountain is majestic, 86 feet high, and over 160 feet wide. Over 3,000 Euros worth of coins are thrown into it daily (with the right hand over the left shoulder, if you want to abide by tradition and do it properly). The city graciously gives that money to charity, but apparently delinquents regularly try to steal the coins, hence this sign, which clearly doesn't stop them. They got 20 whole cents out of me this time around!
Dear Delinquents, Please do not steal from the fountain. Sincerely, Rome
After I took a respectable number of selfies (one), I couldn't deny my wet walking shoes and my lack of caffeination. I recalled the initial important task at hand: I still haven't found that perfect cappuccino. Surprisingly, I don't see any coffee shops in the Piazza de Trevi. So I went for the next best thing: coffee gelato! Cause that's basically the same, right? (Just humor me.) It appears that most of the authentic coffee shops don't give you take out cups anyway, you either sit down at a table or stand at the bar and drink your delicious poison. So until it's nice enough to sit outside and sip the magical concoction at my leisure while people watching, the gelato will have to do. Ahh, yes. Gelato in the rain, that has to be in at least one Federico Fellini movie, right? (Frank, stay tuned for my "adventures in dancing in fountains while (hopefully) not getting arrested and thrown into an Italian jail" story.)
My idea of a caffeine fix
Strolling around Rome, I started recognizing the other reasons why my 15-year-old and 21-year-old selves loved it so much, there are shoe stores on every corner! That's surely a love I'll never outgrow. Next thing I know, it's already late in the afternoon and between my internal clock's turmoil, my damp jeans and shoes and my stomach wanting more than just eggs and gelato, it was time to head home to the local market and pick up lunch/dinner.
Successful first full day! Più a venire! (More to come!)
By the way, many of you asked to see pictures of my apartment, so here it is:
Successful first full day! Più a venire! (More to come!)
By the way, many of you asked to see pictures of my apartment, so here it is:
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