Today caught the Archeobus and headed out of the city along the Appian Way. Got off at the first set of catacombs. Hadn’t realised that you could only go through in guided groups – not surprising really when you get underground and realise the opportunities for getting lost! But the groups are organised by language. Shortly after we arrived a group set off but it was Polish so deciding not to bother with that – just as well as not only do we not speak Polish I think they were having a much more Catholic experience that we wanted. So hung around but when we discovered that the English group wasn’t going to be going for a while we attached ourselves to a German group. After all following two weeks in the country I’m quite fluent! It was basically a high school group so quite entertaining to see the usual behaviours occurring as you’d find in any school group at home. Didn’t really need to speak the lingo to get a feel for the place. Went deep underground – huge number of burial cavities – now empty. Unlike one of the adults accompanying the school group I obeyed the signs instructing you not to take photos. Also stopped off at the Metella Mausoleum but its closed on a Monday. Ended back at the station so walked the length of Via Nazionale back to the hotel. Bought some shoes to replace the ones that had started to fall apart. Lunch. A wander over to the Pantheon and then a late afternoon rest. Walked over to the Piazza Navona for dinner. Yum. Then man at next table proposed and presented a ring to his lady. Ah, amore. We wondered if the restaurant would discount their meal of do something special for them but no! If they had thought it could be a good scam!
Today caught the Archeobus and headed out of the city along the Appian Way. Got off at the first set of catacombs. Hadn’t realised that you could only go through in guided groups – not surprising really when you get underground and realise the opportunities for getting lost! But the groups are organised by language. Shortly after we arrived a group set off but it was Polish so deciding not to bother with that – just as well as not only do we not speak Polish I think they were having a much more Catholic experience that we wanted. So hung around but when we discovered that the English group wasn’t going to be going for a while we attached ourselves to a German group. After all following two weeks in the country I’m quite fluent! It was basically a high school group so quite entertaining to see the usual behaviours occurring as you’d find in any school group at home. Didn’t really need to speak the lingo to get a feel for the place. Went deep underground – huge number of burial cavities – now empty. Unlike one of the adults accompanying the school group I obeyed the signs instructing you not to take photos. Also stopped off at the Metella Mausoleum but its closed on a Monday. Ended back at the station so walked the length of Via Nazionale back to the hotel. Bought some shoes to replace the ones that had started to fall apart. Lunch. A wander over to the Pantheon and then a late afternoon rest. Walked over to the Piazza Navona for dinner. Yum. Then man at next table proposed and presented a ring to his lady. Ah, amore. We wondered if the restaurant would discount their meal of do something special for them but no! If they had thought it could be a good scam! 
jesus, romance is dead. a good scam. sigh. glad to see you're back in harness - whatever have you been doing for the last few days...?
ReplyDeleteWhat have I been doing for the last few days?? Work followed by travel, followed by spending quality time with my wife of course!!
ReplyDeleteHi Hamish
ReplyDeleteI think I've now come back to the land of the living after a week jetlagged and a long Board meeting on Monday! Great to read about your experiences in Rome. Can't believe it is just 3 weeks since I was there too - I loved the Piaaaaaazza Navooooooona (how's your pronounciation going?). Your bad restaurant experience reminds me of dinner I had with an old friend at the 'Pergola' while in Rome (3 Michelin stars) - it was unbelievably fabulous and we chatted with the chef afterwards! No proposals though. All is well here, and we're looking forward to the end of term and daylight saving at the weekend. Enjoy your remaining days.