Ciao Rome

Ciao!

Roma si bella! This is my best guess as far as a translation goes for Rome is beautiful.

Flights were fine. I had one scare in Lisbon due to long custom lines but made it to my flight on time. Of course arrived feeling drowsy (I can't ever sleep on planes). Got to hotel, checked in, and found out my cousins were already out and about. I changed into shorts (it was hot out) and headed to catch the bus. Only knowing how to get to them on the bus, I waited 45 minutes for the bus I needed to show up! Well that was when the fun started. I got off the bus a stop early and could not figure out where I was nor how to find them. Finally, realizing what road I was on (there are few street name signs in the city center of Rome), I was able to zone in on their location and meet up with Susan and Sierra. For those of you not familiar with Sunday and Sierra, Susan is the granddaughter of my dad's sister Frances (deceased) and Sierra is Susan's daughter - my second and third cousins.

Ashley, Sierra, and Susan in front of Trevi Fountain

We had lunch at a little cafe in a mall (it was air conditioned and they were already there drinking coffees). After lunch, we went exploring. We found Trevi Fountain and threw in coins.  It was completed in 1762.  On Wikipedia, it says that coins totaling about 3000 euro are thrown in the fountain each day and the coins are gathered to fund a supermarket for needy in Rome.

We strolled along the streets and stopped for gelato #1 (maybe I should change the blog name to gelatoing around Italy). I went for the strawberry and it was cool and refreshing. We went down to Piazza Barberini then headed towards the Spanish Steps. We arrived at the top of the steps and had a great view.

At the Spanish Steps

A boat fountain at the bottom of the Spanish Steps

We thought about walking back to the hotel through a park, but then decided to take the bus back. Well... this was a good/bad decision. The good - we saw a car chase through downtown... well really a moped chase. A moped was going down a one way street the wrong way with two police cars chasing. During the chase, they all take a corner with one of the police cars almost hitting another car. We don't know what happened next but it was exciting for that moment. The bad - the bus never came! After waiting too long, we jumped in a taxi.

Day 1 ended early as we were all tired, but this was great because it allowed us to shift to the new time. Tomorrow, we visit the Vatican!