Italy – Sorrento to Rome– Day 6 – Stephanie

 

Not much to report on today except for taking local train to Naples and then catching the bullet train to Rome to hook up with Catherine, Evan and Diana (CED).  We did have some frustration at the main Rome terminal when we discovered the taxi drivers were on strike.  Next adventure was to figure out how to get to the Rome Trastevere station, which is where the other 3 were waiting for us with bus tickets to a stop close to the apartment Cat had rented.  We discovered there is a Metro train system to compliment the main Italy train system.  With the help of a very nice young Italian woman, we bought more train tickets and ran the almost mile, literally, to the “Bin” it would depart from.  Shew!  Made it with 5 minutes to spare!

Hooked up with the other three!  After hugs we got on the bus to take us to our last stop for the day, which was approximately half a mile from the apartment.  It was about 1 pm at this time, check in was not until 4 and they were strict about that, but they did have a place for us to leave our luggage and wonder about.  Our host was extremely helpful and pleasant and gave us advice on what to see, where to eat, and where to go.  We ate lunch at one of the places he highly recommended, which was great food!, and then hiked up to a fountain he had told us about with a view of Rome that was spectacular!  He also told us about the ancient Roman adequate system that was still being used (with some updates but not much!) and told us to watch for the public spring water systems that produced wonderful water 24 hours a day for anyone to use and take.  He also told us due to the adequate systems, the water was ice cold.  We found one before taking the long hill up to the fountain and he wasn’t kidding!  It was delicious and ice cold!  We filled up our water bottles and up to the fountain we went.  Enjoyed the fountain and view for a while the found old rock stairs that were a shortcut back down towards the apartment.  We still had time to kill.  Found a quaint little pub/bar to have a drink and some of their home made potato chips.  Then it was finally time to check in!

We settled into our new spot, all of us taking much needed showers.  CED were exhausted and went to bed, thinking it would be a few hour nap.  After 4 hours, I attempted to get them up.  But they were exhausted after their long journey and opted to sleep until morning.  Kevin and I went to get a drink at a side street café not too far from the apartment, thinking we’d get dinner too, but the waitress never came back to take our dinner order.  After finally being able to pay our drink bill, we walked to a grocery store just around the corner from our place.  It was about ready to close; however, we were able to grab some things and sent back to a fresh bread and cheese snack.  Then bed.  We were exhausted also.

Only a few phone pics.

Stephanie