ersutton1

Our flight from JFK was about half full, so I had 3 seats to sleep on. I even got a few hours sleep. Nevertheless, pretty beat at 4:15pm Rome time. Arrived 7:30am, train to Termini 8:36, at hotel before 10am. No real problem except I got a little angry with the nit wit in front of me who was buying the railroad I think. Almost missed the 8:36...why did I give a damn? Me.
At hotel I, regrettably "pancaked" the laptop from about 4 feet and busted a few pixels...luckily not critical areas and function is still ok...with a weird feel to the keyboard. Not too happy with ... but over it now. Met Fulvia at hotel, very nice and helpful...hotel room basic but very clean and modern, wireless, ac, view to street from shuttered windows on 2nd floor, coffee in room, steel grated elevator (like in Madrid) and a decent area with restaurants nearby. Two blocks from Termini Station from whence we will depart on Sunday for Stuttgart.
Walked to Santa Maria Maggiore, got a bite al fresco across the square. Very helpful young waiter. €26 w/tip. Visited church. Very ornate, very holy. Walked to Trevi Fountain, mob scene, and on the way saw the Gardens and Palazzo del Quirinale where we thought we were going to see a parade. Not. Sandy then led us back to our hotel, very tired. The whole walk and lunch (?) took about 4 hours or so. Along the entire route there are numerous old, cool buildings/churches with statues, balustrades etc. Many are located on palazzos or plazas. Most are not even named in the guidebooks and probably not important for any particular reason, but the architecture is excellent for all periods. Gotta say where we walked today was not very clean or even orderly. An experience nonetheless. After a shower and short walk for me and shower and short nap for Sandy we had an adult beverage at Le Tre Marie, a little bar we can see from our hotel room. They smoke like fiends here...6 of 6 persons had a ciggy going at one time. See pic. Then for dinner a few blocks away at Traitoria, a small Italian restaurant, for a rather light dinner, after which early to bed and sleep like the dead.

Trips:

Shorthand link:

A good flight, tiring first day

Rome, Italy

I'm gonna' try....

Philadelphia, United States

Heading South?