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All roads lead to the Rome today as we continue our travels
south to the ancient capitol of the world founded in 753 BC!
Map: Florence to Rome
And this time we ask for directions first..!
Finally! An open laundrette – but not much of a refuge from the heat.
We meet a friendly Romanian woman who speaks little English or Spanish.
Folded and finished, we head back to the room to pack.
Last night, Jude thought a jug of cheap wine
would give him a better taste of the culture.
Now he needs to decide how to pack it with his gear…
For a more portable, less breakable container, he uses a water bottle to carry his wine.
Amusingly, now he looks like he’s taking swigs from a bottle of cooking oil.
Jude glances to find his way and starts off
leaving his “cooking oil” wine behind while we decide which direction to take.
Crowds get in the way as he gained a block ahead and disappeared.
At the station, we scoured the platforms for him without sign, and got into a ticket line.
With five minutes until departure, tickets are purchased and seats are found…still no sign of him.
Scanning the windows, we spot the International Man of Mystery!
“Well, get one and we’ll meet you there.”
Alone together for the first time in weeks
we share Jude’s wine as the train clacks the serene path through the Tuscan countryside:
castles, fields, rivers, and cliffs with natural beauty all around.
As we pull into Tiburtina Station, Rome, the skies are dominated by antennas and satellite dishes.
With time to spare until Jude arrives, we sit and begin to pour libations.
Together, from the train station we confusedly take the bus for free to the designated stop
for our reservations at Residenza Camilla Apartments.
Hiking around, wet with sweat, unable to find the hotel,
we decide to send out individuals to search while the others rest.
On the third try, the alley’s location is revealed.
A classy set-up:
Jude has his own “bedroom” in the kitchenette
and a separate bedroom for us.
The luxury of a clean bed and cool air is too much to resist
and the bedroom becomes the common area.
Our first night in the Eternal City, some relaxation on the terrace under the night sky,
and followed by an early bed…
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