Monday, July 14, 2014

The Journey is Half the Battle

Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport is italy’s largest airport and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. It is honestly very easy to navigate. There are signs in English and helpful people to point you in the right direction. When getting from the airport to the city center, you have three main choices: taxi, train or shuttle. I’d recommend the train. Taxi is pretty expensive (forty to fifty euros and you will be overcharged if you look touristy). A shuttle is an option if you are staying in a large hotel (for example the Best Western).The train is non-stop to Roma Termini, the city center, and costs anywhere from 4 euros to 16 euros. I paid 16 euros (I must have been rocking the lost and intimdated tourist look, you know?) The train from the airport to the city center was a great introduction to Italy. There are beautiful views of the countryside and interesting people to talk to! Mr. Polish Cello guy entertained me with self-deprecating cello jokes while I explained to him that indeed hitchhiking is technically illegal in the U.S., answering other equally random questions he had.

Navigating through the streets of Rome with luggage in tow was another story. An easy five minute walk to the hotel took us about twenty minutes. TRAVEL LIGHT. Also I am sorry to all those toes I ran over on the race across the busy round a bout streets Oh that’s another thing. Remember pedestrians do NOT have right a way here. They will stop for you if you are already in the crosswalk and probably honk. But they will not hestitate to speed in front of you. Stay vigilant soldier or you will lose a limb. I predict one of us will get hit by the time we leave. I don’t know why people say I’m a pessimist…


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