The Platform

€8 each was probably money well spent for a shuttle bus from Termini Station to the Ciampino Airport. Dead simple, 40 minute ride that dropped us off at the airport entrance.

EasyJet check-in was indeed easy, but that’s about where it stopped. We saws place to exchange currency, and a figured we would need money for trains when we landed, so we decided to pay the awful 6.9% exchange commission and get some cash. Unfortunately for us, the one woman working was very focused on her computer and managed to thoroughly ignore us for about five full minutes. We agreed to get some food with the last of our euros and try again later. 2 sandwiches/8€ later, we gave it another try. This time, the very same woman was alert and very willing to help. It was like a completely different person, but not. We got some money and then it was time for security. Up to this point, it seemed clear that Italian airports were definitely not as strict as American ones. Our tickets were checked and we entered the screening line. I was had the luxury of keeping my shoes on; Amy got to take off her boots. Once through, Amy also had to open her bag and give up her hairspray. Aparently security just FEELS more lax, but isn’t. At customs, we had our tickets and passports checked again; quick and painless. Then we stood in a crowd for 15 minutes while waiting to board. The boarding area was under construction, so there were no seats. We figured boarding should go well, as we checked in the earliest moment it was allowed. While the online ticketing explained that the earlier the check-in, the better the seating choice, this was unfortunately not the case. We all crowded into a bus which took us on a short trip across the tarmac to the plane. After having our tickets checked two more times, Amy & I were the very last two people to get on the plane. I am writing this on the plane because I am fairly bored by myself; we had to sit separately. An hour and 20 minutes later, it looks like we’re making our approach. All that said, the flight was cheap and I would fly this airline again. Arrivaderci EasyJet!

Our first day in Rome brought a few surprises. After waiting about 45 minutes for our hotel room to be ready, the concierge called us over and politely explained that our room was ready, but the previous night’s tenant “broke” the bathroom. He then explained that he had arranged for a room at another nearby hotel for tonight and that he would give us an upgraded room tomorrow night for the inconvenience. Ten minutes of walking, and we arrived at our second hotel of the morning. After navigating tricky elevators, tricky stairs and tricky doors, we were in the room. Cozy and quiet; all we needed.

Other things to write more about: small elevators, confusing stairways, locked doors, red buttons and door alarms.

After a nap, we got ready and headed to Termini Station. We walked a couple laps around the station until we figured out how to buy tickets, then walked around for another 15 minutes figuring out how to get on a metro that would take us in the right direction. Getting off the metro, I quickly learned that when you start walking, you see amazing structures, buildings, statues and fountains everywhere you turn. We saw the Piazza de Spagnia, the Trevi Fountain, and a bunch of other buildings in the area. We stopped at a small restaurant called Caviar Cafe for dinner. It was nice and the staff was very nice. We had prosciutto and mozarella for an appetizer, which was very good. Amy and I had entrees that were recommended by someone we met on the flight to Rome. Spaghetti alla Carbonara? Magnifico!

After dinner, we walked back to the metro with a few wrong turns and being followed by a strange man whistling a charming song.

A couple quick rides on the metro and we are back at the hotel. Amy got her first pat down by a potential pickpocket and avoided the situation nicely. Looks like we’re already metro experts

We found MTV on the tv, and it’s sad to be watching Paris Hilton’s My New BFF. I hope Italians don’t think that’s what we are all like.

After an 8 hour flight, a 40 minute train ride, 45 minutes of walking around lost, and various other confusion, we are now sitting comfortably in the hotel breakfast area / bar. We’re still early, so we just need to wait a bit for our room to be ready. For a first timer in Rome, I needed to learn very quickly that people do not clean up after their dogs. My shoes are clean, but there was a close call on every block. We are very excited and there is much to see…after a short nap. Being up for 25 hours on 4 hours sleep puts you in a very strange state. It’s 11:30AM right now, so we need to tough it out as best we can for the rest of the day so we sleep well tonight and get our sleep schedule on track. Attached is a shot of the lovely hotel bar.

All of the packing and preparation are over, and Amy & I are now waiting to board our flight from MSP to PHI. We’ll have a 4 hour layover there, then it’s off to Rome, Italy!

We managed to forget a couple small things, and figuring out how to get a few Euros in hand was interesting, but it seems the most stressful part is over. Now on to the fun! Right now, we’re waiting in a very luxurious area of the airport, as seen in the attached photo.

Hopefully, this will be the least interesting post of the trip.

Testing how to post with a picture from my phone. Impressed? I know.