Europe 2010
The challenges of traveling when you’re older
Part 5
The Beauty of Rome
Tom is 70; his partner Greta is 68. They are in Rome on the first leg of a month-long trip.
Mastering the Metro (Subway) System in Rome – Friday, April 16
It was time for Greta and me to venture out beyond the neighborhood in which we're staying. We were not able to find a map of the bus
routes but it appeared that the Rome Metro would take us close to most of the places we wanted to visit. The Cipro station was 300 yards
from our apartment. It’s the station most people who travel by the Metro use when visiting the Vatican.
We purchased 3-day passes that allowed unlimited trips on subways and buses for 11 euros each ($15.50). Wow, traveling with passes is
the way to go, on and off, on and off, with no added cost.
 Our first destination was the Piazza Spagna, where the famous Spanish Steps are located. One would think in April that the crowds
would not be as busy as during the summer, but on that Friday, the place was teeming with visitors. The temperature was about 75
degrees. The Spanish Steps are a comfortable place to plop yourself down and enjoy people watching. It’s got a very upbeat feeling to
it.
While there, we needed to find a restroom; I shudder to think about it, seeing how we were in beautiful, historical Rome, but
McDonald's has reliable rest rooms and we saw a McDonald’s sign so we headed there. The location there is not a storefront, but inside
a building and up a flight of steps. The entry way is so disguised we walked past it and didn't see it the first time we passed. So, we
thought, at least it's small and hidden away, and we’ll be able to quickly use the bathrooms and move on.
Oh my gosh! The Spanish Steps McDonald’s is huge, and laid out like a sit-down restaurant. There were three banquet areas that groups
can reserve for private parties. To feed these groups, McDonald's wheels out the meals on carts. I saw one cart with nearly 50 drinks,
French fries, and sandwiches being delivered to the reserved space. These groups all pre-order to keep them away from the overworked
cash registers.
And speaking of cash registers; I counted approximately 25 cashiers on duty at one time. And yet, a cheeseburger only costs a euro.
Complete meals were about $10, so poor McDonald's is raking it in by the Spanish Steps.
Our next Metro stop was to see the Trevi Fountain. It was about a quarter mile walk from the subway stop. Rumor has it if you throw a
coin into the fountain with your right hand over your left shoulder with your back facing the fountain, you will return to Rome someday.
That held true. I was there in 1960 when attending the Rome Olympics and Greta had been there in 1989; we both had tossed in coins then.
This time again, in went the coins, perhaps we'll be back someday. We also tossed in coins while thinking of friends who are going
through adversity and hard times. We did that many times at fountains throughout our trip, and also remembered those people in the
churches and mosques we entered (later, in Turkey).
Our final Metro stop (after changing to a different subway line) was at the Colosseum, the Forum, and the Arch of Constantine.
The Colosseum was built from 70-82 A.D. by 20,000 slaves and convicts. Seating capacity was 50,000. One can't help but look at that
massive structure, what's left of it, and think of the gladiators and animals that died in gory battles there.
 Just
outside of the entrance, there was a guy dressed up as a gladiator or Roman
Trojan. He had a sword
in his hand. I didn't get a good picture because I didn't want to get too close to him, he was a pretty gruff dude.
After I snapped the picture, he said, "Take good care of her (meaning Greta), or I'll cut your head off."
It made me think of the USC Trojans and their fight song, "Fight On." So, here's to all who visit this travel series with ties to USC.
About a half mile away is the location of the Baths of Caracalla. We did not walk there but I was interested to find out that
open-air operas that had been held there were discontinued in 1994 to protect the historical site. Perhaps operas have been resumed
there, I don't know.
I recall watching the opera Aida there in 1960. The stage was so large, the production used four-horse chariots and elephants.
It was also a long opera. I remember seeing the Russian satellite Sputnik fly over three times, looking like a star, reflecting the sun.
I haven't seen another opera since.
Rome is an incredible city. On that Friday, we only saw a slice of it. But, what a great slice. And speaking of slices.
On Friday night, we ate at Caselli's in Rome. Eight incredible slices of pizza. An ideal Italian restaurant for having a tasty pizza or
a more formal Italian meal that is reasonably priced. It’s one of those restaurants where the son runs the restaurant that his father
founded.
Some people asked if were affected by the Iceland volcano. We were blessed, we arrived in Rome two days before it erupted. But we did
receive an email that our cruise departure the following day had been delayed for a day from the port of Rome. Here is what Holland
America sent by email:
”Due to the numerous airport closures across northern Europe and the ash in the atmosphere caused by the recent Iceland volcano
eruption, the Monday, April 19 ms Eurodam cruise itinerary will be altered.
Eurodam will stay overnight in Rome (Port of Civitavecchia) on Monday, April 19 and is now scheduled to depart Tuesday, April 20 at
6 pm to allow for expected flight delays of arriving and departing guests.
“Additionally, the ship will call at Dubrovnik, Croatia on Thursday, April 22, one day later than originally scheduled; the port call
to Corfu, Greece has been canceled.
“We continue to closely monitor the situation. At Holland America Line, the safety and security of our guests and crew is our top priority.”
Of course, we were disappointed that the first cruise we were going to take would be delayed for a day, but we were lucky, several hundred people were stranded in other locations trying to get to Rome.
We had a choice to make. Stay another night in Rome, or travel to Civitavecchia (where the port is located), board the ship, and simply enjoy the ship’s meals and accommodations. We decided to go to the ship. That Part of the trip is next, Part 6.
To access Tom's ebook, "Italy: 23 Days by Train" follow this link:
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/9907
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