Linda and I met at Dulles airport, she coming from Savannah and me from Phoenix. Not too long a wait for our on-time flight to Rome -- good flight, all in all (note: NEVER EVER order beef over pasta!) and at least now I will never -- repeat -- ever have to rent or watch Captain America or Green Lantern! So!!
We arrived about 8 a.m. on a really beautiful sunny and bright but clear and crisp fall day. Shot quickly through immigration and went to baggage claim. Our bags came out relatively quickly -- both of them -- so we both have clothes! What a concept?! From there headed out to get the train to Termini station. Fairly crowded, but did manage to get seats. Got to Termini in about 20 minutes.
From there, we schleped the luggage to the Hotel Canada on Via Vicenza. It is fairly close to Termini station, but in a wonderful area heading toward Pla. Bologna where we stayed last year. It was only 10:30, but they got us into our room by 11 -- room 426, on a corner, beautiful views; lovely room! VERY happy with it! (After, of course, feeding us with coffee, water and brioche just to tide us over!)
We both were in need of showers to get off the travel schmutz, and were both bathed and ready to explore by noon! Headed out and to the metro Castro Pretorio, right around the corner. Took it to Coloseo so that Linda could see it! Wonderful place, and not nearly as crowded when we were last here -- what a difference a month makes! Walked past the forum and made our way to the Pantheon, my favorite building in Rome, built by Emperor Hadrian (and that man knew how to build!) From there we wandered a bit, but as we were both fading fast, decided to take the bus back to the hotel. Caught a 462 which brought us within a couple blocks -- great way to travel!
Napped for a few hours; always a good idea! Up about 4, and headed to the train station to get our tickets for tomorrow's trip to Florence. As I have a tendency to put EVERYTHING in the safe at the hotel, I didn't have ID on me when we got to the ticket seller...UGH! Wouldn't take a credit card without it! So, back out and found an ATM so that Linda could get Euros, then back to the station for our second try at tickets -- successful this time! So, two second class tickets to Florence tomorrow on the "fast train" (1 hr. 45 min) at 12:15 p.m. What fun!
Back to the hotel to change (only slightly!) for dinner, and then the bus again (old 462). Walked through and around Piazza Navona, which, again, had many fewer people than last year! Then to the restaurant, Armand al Pantheon, where we had a reservation. Lucky thing that we did, as all the tables (probably 12 or 14 or so) had reserved signs on them!
Started with lots of sparkling water. Then, split a bruschetta with olive oil and garlic. Linda had a Salada Fantasia with corn, parmesan, arrugula and nuts; I had bresaola and parmesan -- AMAZING! Then for mains, Linda had pasta with a very simple oil and garlic sauce; I had pasta with tartuffo (truffle) sauce -- INCREDIBLE! To be honest, way too much food to have desert, unfortunately! (And I schlepped the camera all that way and forgot the pictures! Better next time!)
Decided to take the bus back to the hotel, and pulled up safely here around 9 p.m. Now to sleep...whew; long day! Oh! Forgot to tell you -- the nice people at the hotel left us a lovely bottle of Asti and chocolates to help us celebrate our joint birthdays! Yipee!!
More tomorrow!
Ciao!
m
xx
Good food, stunning countryside and museums, etc. -- I just am a little surprised to see how large the horses were in the past. The picture of Linda against a wall with the iron ring at least 15ft higher...WOW! :)
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