I got up this morning…barely….took ibuprofen (a lifesaver so far) wasn’t feeling the best. So got much later start than I wanted….but I was determined to learn bus system today . I went to Termini station and bought myself a 2 day bus pass…something that was included in the Roma pass I lost. I got on bus taking me to the Vatican city….it dropped me off near St Peters Square…ahhh…. yes, close. No major walking I thought….No! The Main gate I needed was on other side of wall! (A very long walk) A guide showed me which line to get in since I already had my printed voucher! Trust me…no one should attempt it without a printed voucher….skip the line…my line was still very long, almost a full hour….the “purchase now” line was 2 to 3 times longer…1/2 way around the Vatican city….walking past that line wore me out..if I had to stand in it, I would just let the pope stay missing…..no way!
Room after room, and more rooms: destination Sistine chapel….they make sure you work for it…I bet I walked up and down 20 flights of stairs…at one point I had to sit down…if you recall I wasn’t feeling well (queasy)..so I found a chair in corner..yes it was the security guards chair, but he can just wait a minute or two.
I loved the Raphael rooms, they were my favorite…beautiful.
As I reached the Sistine Chapel, we were being herded into the one single room…I thought for a second we were going to have church service…no one allowed to be on steps…everyone pushed down to open floor…we looked like mass sheep for slaughtering….I vaguely remember seeing a sign saying no cameras in Sistine. …I vaguely heard it also….but there was a I noticed being very casual using his phone camera in reverse, snapping away those pics… I should’ve known better because I’m not slick by any means….of course I was called out…”put phone up, no cameras”…yeah, I was caught.
After the museums I wanted to go back to St. Peters Square….so I walk and walk…there were several people trying sell stuff, best way to deal is just ignore…a lady was saying something to me as I walked through the gate…I ignore…a few minutes later I seen her telling people go through a different gate, (she was security) oops.
After St. Peters I decided to hope on tram and see where I go…well, the places started looking different, a little rougher a little dirtier. I pull up maps app and type in my room address. ..ahh only 1.2 km…It’s a tram on tracks, I’m sure it will circle back….5 km later I had to get off and find another way back….I’m out in nowhere, looks a little rough….A girl was standing at the bus stop…I asked her if I a bus could get me back to termini station. …she obviously couldn’t understand me, but seemed to recognize the word Termini….she said, ” yes, this bus will get you there.”…I got on bus, she got off next stop…per GPS I am now 15 km from room. Instead of getting closer, I was going further out to nowhere……..I’ve got to get back to Rome, thinking I was being slick (ha ha) I typed in google translate a question..”does this bus go to termini station”.
I showed it to bus driver….NO!!! He yelled…very hateful. He yelled something in Italian that didn’t sound friendly at all and he pointed to a sign….
I read. “Talking to bus driver is Forbidden.” Well, excuse me. ….A young man came to front where I was, and said he would help me get there….I felt like that special kid going to school for the first time, who needed the helping buddy…..When we got off the bus he took me to the metro,showed me how use ticket, made sure I got on the right car, and made sure I got off the right stop….Grazzi . Lord knows where I would’ve ended up without this angels help.
I got back to my room, I freshened up, and wanted some food…but didn’t want to go too far…so I walked around the blocky room was on. I found an outdoor restaurant like so many and I took a seat…The matrede seated me at my table..h
He placed napkin on lap, and brought me bread…he just seemed so pleased to serve me….so nice! Watching every move I made though, falling over himself, if I needed anything..
…now using what I had read before coming here, dinner is served in courses, and you suppose to order 2 to 3….so I looked at the menu and decided to order bruschetti, small salad, and steak. …bottled water and house wine (thought I would try). The Bruschetti was a large portion, covered the whole plate….then came salad and steak….what was I thinking?…..I swear they brought me a half of a cow and a punch bowl full of salad….this meal could’ve served 5 people!
I ate what I could but was about to explode. …the waiter asked if it was good, I said “yes….but way too much”. This made him happy.
And before I could get check, he brought me a sliced apple sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon with toothpicks.”on the house madam’…delicious! …I thanked them and waddled back to my room. I was a little too full.
travelingwithkim 