Travels to Rome

I met Nanette for breakfast before I headed out to the Train station. It seems so final with everyone else gone and me leaving for Rome. Time sure does fly by.

Traveling in a foreign country on my own is definitely “outside the box” for me. I couldn’t believe I was standing at the Florence train station by myself trying to navigate my way to Rome. Other than dealing with the luggage it was really very easy. A nice gentleman helped me put my luggage in the overhead as the coral was full. Getting it down from the overhead was another story – I think I nearly knocked someone out. The ride was very comfortable and safe.

So…. I get into Rome around 11:30 am and make my way out to the “official” taxi cab stand. I was told gypsy drivers would approach me in the terminal but to ignore them and to get an official Rome cab. So far.. so good. NOT!

Oh yes it was an official cab but he was a crook. He was talking to me on the way to the hotel – understood each other with no problems. As we arrived, I looked at the meter and it said $19.00 (euros). No problem. I took out a $20.00 and was going to give him a tip from the stash of coins I had. I gave him the $20.00 and in a blink of an eye, he tucked it away and had two $5.00s in his hand instead – then I looked again at the meter and it said $29.00. Not only did he rip me off for the $20.00 – he also jacked up the meter by $10.00. I was saying to him that I gave him a $20.00 and the meter was only $19.00 but all of a sudden it as “no capich” (or however you spell it). It is really hard to argue with someone who is blathering away in a foreign language and I knew I wasn’t going to win so I paid him. I kept saying to him “you are ripping me off” but the next thing you know he was out of the car and my luggage was on the street. (My hotel was on a side street with no vehicle access). I was so flustered that I didn’t get a look at the cab number. I was ticked at myself for letting this happen. When I checked into the hotel I had to tell someone so mentioned it to the front desk. He apologized and said this was not the first time that he has heard this story and the fare should have been no more than $20.00 Euros. Unfortunately though without the cab number there wasn’t anything he could do. I felt better though just to tell someone. I am definitely on my guard now though.

I spent the afternoon walking around Rome. Found the Temple of Hadrian, Patheon, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, the Spanish Steps etc.

Temple of Hadrian – this is next to the hotel I am staying at – Albergo Cesari.