Well, it is our last full day in Europe.
Today began nice and late. Just how I like it. Now that is a holiday - you sleep in, and do shit-all, and then get up and go have fun. The important thing on the agenda was that we visited a famous gelati shop called San Crispino.
We first visited the Spanish Steps, which had a church at the top. There were sketch artists at the top, as well as dodgy Nigerian types who try to use the friendship string scam on you. What they do is walk up to you and act all friendly, and then hold out a piece of string. They then tie the string to you, and then ask for a 'donation.' It is all friendly, but you can sense the threat behind that request for a 'donation.' It happened to me in Milan, but I acted like I only had some spare change, so the scammer only got away with 2 euros instead of 10. Nowadays, I am much more wise. As soon as I see a dodgy guy come up to me, up comes the hand, because the face ... it ain't listening.
After a visit to the Spanish Steps, we wandered down along until we hit this huuuge square with an obelisk in the middle, I forget what it is called. But nearby, up a rather tiring climb of steps, was a huge park. It being Sunday, there are lots of people out enjoying the customary day off for many people. There were also places you could hire bikes, roller blades, and tandem bikes.
There were also pedal-powered golf buggies.
Henry and I saw a few people zipping around on them, and decided to hire one for ourselves to try. At 10 euros for an hour, it is a lot of fun.
They basically convert the pedalling you do into electrical power, which then turns the four wheels ... I think. There are two steering wheels, but one is for show, while the other one actually steers. Henry and I had a lot of fun zipping around the park, riding offroad through the bumpy and less levelled parts of the park, as well as powering our way through the soft gravel, and terrorising other parkgoers with our whoops and yells of delight.
Well, my whoops and yells of delight.
Our fun was magnified when we decided to take some of the asphalted roads, and went down a long tunnel. Unsure of whether it was actually for pedestrians or cars, we ended up going down that way before we realised which it was. It was a long, sloping tunnel, which meant that it was a nice, downhill zoom to the bottom of the winding tunnel. However, once we got to the bottom, we found out one very important fact about that tunnel.
It was a carpark tunnel.
As we turned around to go up the other tunnel, we saw ...
A car coming up behind us!
We both screamed 'OH SHIT!!!' and pedalled as fast as our legs could pedal. We were both pedalling desperately, trying to outrun the car that was close behind us going up the tunnel. It was getting closer, closer ...
And it was keeping a leisurely distance from us. It seemed that the owners had a look of real amusement on their faces, as we both desperately pedalled to get up out of the tunnel and where the road would be a bit wider.
Just as it seemed the driver would speed up and run us over, we made it.
We got out of the tunnel, and veered off to the side and let the car pass us before stopping and trying to catch our breaths. We found out it was one way, so it would be hard to go back the way we came without a way to stop oncoming traffic.
In the end, I had to brave the dangers of returning through the tunnel, stopping most of traffic by using myself as a shield, and Henry bringing the buggy back down and around the way we came.
After those hijinks, we hooned around some more in the safer areas of the park, complete with more whooping.
After that misadventure, we decided to leave the park alone, and get some lunch after pedalling hard for an hour on that buggy. A trip to San Crispino later, we were contentedly munching on gelati while we headed for the nearby Fountain of Trevi, which apparently has magical powers. Supposedly, if you throw a coin into the fountain, from your right hand over your left shoulder, and it lands in the fountain, you will return to Rome. If you throw two over, then a wish will be granted. Henry thought it meant that you will be either married or divorced. I did at first too, and first refused to throw a second coin in because I didn't want to be destined to get tied down. However, on consultation of the Lonely Planet guide we had with us, it turned out that a wish would be granted.
After lunch at Burger King, we went to try to find a stone face which supposedly eats your hand if you lie. You are supposed to put your hand in. If you lie, the face supposedly slams shut. Surprise surprise, when we arrive, there is a long line of people wanting to test that theory. In front of the Church of St Valentine, no less. Unwilling to wait in line, we ended up wandering through the streets of Rome until we hit the Altar of the Nation again, and took a bus back to our room.
For our last night in Rome, and in Europe, we will be eating out.
Monday, February 02, 2009
Sunday, February 01, 2009
EuroX Trip: Day 22 and 23
Still in Rome, where it is nice and temperate. I heard that there was a HUUGE heatwave in Australia, with temperatures up in the mid 40 celsius, and minimums in the 30s. Now that is HOT. I am very glad that I am here in temperate Rome, as opposed to being back there in Australia. The pools and beaches must have been veery busy. It would have been hard getting to the gym during those days.
In any case ... Rome has been rather interesting in some cases.
Day 22
After waking up at a more normal time (8:45), and having breakfast, we went to see some of the ancient Roman stuff. Arriving at the Colosseum, we found that surprisingly, there weren't that many tourists around.
There was a very good reason.
The Colosseum was closed for some sort of 'work assembly' and would reopen at '12am' so the notice claimed. I think they meant 12pm, as it would be rather hard to police people about on the Colosseum at midnight. In any case, almost all of the ancient monuments were closed for this 'work assembly.' Henry and I instead chose to wander off and check out Circus Maximus, which was a bit of a crapshoot.
It should really be renamed Circus Minimus. There are hardly any old buildings and stuff, it looks more like a drag-racing strip that nature had reclaimed. There was grass growing all over, only a few sets of steps remained, and there were cigarette butts littered everywhere. Of ancient Roman origin, I'm sure.
Returning to the Colosseum at near 12pm, we both found that there was a HUGE line of tourists lined up to go in - it must have stretched for at least 500m from the entrance where they have metal detectors and things. Getting in was fairly easy - pick a thin part of the line and jump in. Sure, it isn't totally legit to just push in, but all's fair in sightseeing and touring. Particularly the big tourist traps like the Colosseum. We went on a guided tour which was informative, but short. One interesting fact I will impart to you all - the Colosseum is actually not named for its massive size, but instead for the Colossus of Nero that once used to sit near the Colosseum after it was moved from elsewhere. Before, it was known as the Flavian Arena.
After the Colosseum, we went to the Palatine, and spent a good hour or two wandering through the ruins of the Roman Emperor's palace. There was even fruit growing from the orange trees in the gardens, so we stole fruit from the Emperor's Garden and ate of it. Henry remarked ot me that the orange he ate was rather sour.
After that was a stroll up the rode from the Palatine and the Colosseum, and we visited the ancient Roman Forum. A whole lot of ruins and archeological digs, which surprised me. I didn't expect to see an archeological dig in Rome, the capital of Italy. Goes to show you can find things almost anywhere.
Gelati and groceries followed, as well as a hamfisted attempt to cook spaghetti using mince, what we think was pasta sauce, capsicum and tomato. It was a rather interesting experience, going shopping and trying to go by what picture is on the label, and ignoring all the impenetrable Italian surrounding it. It makes cooking a lot more fun, admittedly - you have NO idea what you are putting in if it is canned, and only hoping like hell it has the stuff on the cover.
The spaghetti didn't turn out too badly, although it was rather bland. It needed something more ... like red wine, or MSG.
Day 23
Today was a nice, lazy day.
We got up, and took a bus to see the Pantheon, which to my surprise was actually a Christian temple. I always associated it with the classical Greco-Roman gods, but in this case, it is actually a Christian temple after it was donated to the Pope by the Byzantine emperor Phocas, and redecorated.
Lunch at Mcdonalds followed, as well as a visit to the Piazza Navone, which was a really nice place, with nice atmosphere. There were buskers playing Italian music, lots of artists displaying their wares, as well as sketchers and caricaturists who will draw your mug for a fee. As well as that, there were also a lot of sneaky and crooked Nigerians around, hawking all manner of wares. Bubble-guns which make toy laser gun noises, balls that buzz when you throw them into the air, fake Luis Vutton handbags, cheapo sunglasses, all manner of things.
There were a few fountains there too, it is a really pretty place and definitely a nice place to go with a lover.
If you are into that sort of thing.
Henry wanted to go to a 'famous market' which I objected to, on the basis that it was a market, like other markets all around the world. There was one near our hotel in Paris one day, and it was mostly food, fruit and dodgy goods. The stall owners there were a LOT more aggressive. One guy, when I walked near his stall, shoved a ladle filled with some sort of seed or nut mixture into my face! It was all I could do to raise a hand and gesture 'No, I am not interested in your strange mix of nuts or testing it.' Henry, however, was on a quest to find some fragola, which is some sort of Venetian strawberry liqueur. Instead, we came to a stand where a man of dubious Middle Eastern origin was trying to sell us on various flavoured liequeurs.
There were free samples, and I will hardly say no to free booze.
After some time 'testing' the drinks, I came to the conclusion that I liked the pistacchio liqueur the best. It tasted like pistacchio flavoured gelati, only in alcoholic form. It will go nicely with ice-cream. Henry bought some cream of lemon liqueur because it was on special.
We ended up back at the Vatican, where Henry was asked by a friend to get a poster of some sort for said friend.
It seems it won't fit in his bag.
Soon it will be dinner time, and tonight's menu ... frozen pizzas bought from the supermarket!
In any case ... Rome has been rather interesting in some cases.
Day 22
After waking up at a more normal time (8:45), and having breakfast, we went to see some of the ancient Roman stuff. Arriving at the Colosseum, we found that surprisingly, there weren't that many tourists around.
There was a very good reason.
The Colosseum was closed for some sort of 'work assembly' and would reopen at '12am' so the notice claimed. I think they meant 12pm, as it would be rather hard to police people about on the Colosseum at midnight. In any case, almost all of the ancient monuments were closed for this 'work assembly.' Henry and I instead chose to wander off and check out Circus Maximus, which was a bit of a crapshoot.
It should really be renamed Circus Minimus. There are hardly any old buildings and stuff, it looks more like a drag-racing strip that nature had reclaimed. There was grass growing all over, only a few sets of steps remained, and there were cigarette butts littered everywhere. Of ancient Roman origin, I'm sure.
Returning to the Colosseum at near 12pm, we both found that there was a HUGE line of tourists lined up to go in - it must have stretched for at least 500m from the entrance where they have metal detectors and things. Getting in was fairly easy - pick a thin part of the line and jump in. Sure, it isn't totally legit to just push in, but all's fair in sightseeing and touring. Particularly the big tourist traps like the Colosseum. We went on a guided tour which was informative, but short. One interesting fact I will impart to you all - the Colosseum is actually not named for its massive size, but instead for the Colossus of Nero that once used to sit near the Colosseum after it was moved from elsewhere. Before, it was known as the Flavian Arena.
After the Colosseum, we went to the Palatine, and spent a good hour or two wandering through the ruins of the Roman Emperor's palace. There was even fruit growing from the orange trees in the gardens, so we stole fruit from the Emperor's Garden and ate of it. Henry remarked ot me that the orange he ate was rather sour.
After that was a stroll up the rode from the Palatine and the Colosseum, and we visited the ancient Roman Forum. A whole lot of ruins and archeological digs, which surprised me. I didn't expect to see an archeological dig in Rome, the capital of Italy. Goes to show you can find things almost anywhere.
Gelati and groceries followed, as well as a hamfisted attempt to cook spaghetti using mince, what we think was pasta sauce, capsicum and tomato. It was a rather interesting experience, going shopping and trying to go by what picture is on the label, and ignoring all the impenetrable Italian surrounding it. It makes cooking a lot more fun, admittedly - you have NO idea what you are putting in if it is canned, and only hoping like hell it has the stuff on the cover.
The spaghetti didn't turn out too badly, although it was rather bland. It needed something more ... like red wine, or MSG.
Day 23
Today was a nice, lazy day.
We got up, and took a bus to see the Pantheon, which to my surprise was actually a Christian temple. I always associated it with the classical Greco-Roman gods, but in this case, it is actually a Christian temple after it was donated to the Pope by the Byzantine emperor Phocas, and redecorated.
Lunch at Mcdonalds followed, as well as a visit to the Piazza Navone, which was a really nice place, with nice atmosphere. There were buskers playing Italian music, lots of artists displaying their wares, as well as sketchers and caricaturists who will draw your mug for a fee. As well as that, there were also a lot of sneaky and crooked Nigerians around, hawking all manner of wares. Bubble-guns which make toy laser gun noises, balls that buzz when you throw them into the air, fake Luis Vutton handbags, cheapo sunglasses, all manner of things.
There were a few fountains there too, it is a really pretty place and definitely a nice place to go with a lover.
If you are into that sort of thing.
Henry wanted to go to a 'famous market' which I objected to, on the basis that it was a market, like other markets all around the world. There was one near our hotel in Paris one day, and it was mostly food, fruit and dodgy goods. The stall owners there were a LOT more aggressive. One guy, when I walked near his stall, shoved a ladle filled with some sort of seed or nut mixture into my face! It was all I could do to raise a hand and gesture 'No, I am not interested in your strange mix of nuts or testing it.' Henry, however, was on a quest to find some fragola, which is some sort of Venetian strawberry liqueur. Instead, we came to a stand where a man of dubious Middle Eastern origin was trying to sell us on various flavoured liequeurs.
There were free samples, and I will hardly say no to free booze.
After some time 'testing' the drinks, I came to the conclusion that I liked the pistacchio liqueur the best. It tasted like pistacchio flavoured gelati, only in alcoholic form. It will go nicely with ice-cream. Henry bought some cream of lemon liqueur because it was on special.
We ended up back at the Vatican, where Henry was asked by a friend to get a poster of some sort for said friend.
It seems it won't fit in his bag.
Soon it will be dinner time, and tonight's menu ... frozen pizzas bought from the supermarket!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
