Rome - Tuesday 5th September 2023

Our Airbnb room is a titch too small for two. It is the kind of small Brisbane’ites are not accustomed to. The sort where one travel companion must sit on the bed so the other can get past and into the bathroom. It isn’t “Paris small” but it certainly takes the second-place gong. We are conveniently located in the heart of Rome with cafes downstairs and public transport everywhere, so we’re still happy. But it must be said that it’s obviously all in the booking. In a beautiful scenic city like Rome, if you have a room view comparable to a prison bunk outlook, only with a cool Roman vibe, then trust me when I say you have messed up.

I messed up!

However, at 7 am every morning, the lovely manager Theresa hangs pastries on our door handle for breakfast. So, today, I took a few bites of my crispy yet perfectly doughy, sugar-dusted almond croissant. Like a true local, I stood to slam down my espresso and headed out the door.

Today, my travel buddy-husband is off to work, so I opt for an overview look around from the hop-on-hop-off buses. Tomorrow, I will buy tickets to my chosen tourist attractions and plan which zone to head to for my remaining days in Rome.

After walking a few kilometres and being hustled by four Indians in high-vis vests shaking lanyards in my face to convince me their bus company was the legit company to buy from, I pushed on. Much to the lanyardian’s horror and argument, I continued walking another five hundred metres to the Big Bus Office, where I purchased my ticket. My big red double-decker bus pulled up and collected me on the corner near the lanyardian’s, who were still shaking their heads at me in dismay.

I walked upstairs to the open-top deck to enjoy the sunshine and take in the bustling vibe of Rome. With lots of traffic and the static crackle of dodgy double-decker bus headphones, I stared at the passing landmarks in awe and took in the history lesson. An hour later, I arrived at the Vatican, aka Basilica.

Instantly scrapping my earlier plan to use today as a mapping journey…I had to get off!

Two things struck me right away:

1) this was something old-worldly, mesmerising.

2) the crowds were going to send me into that potentially claustrophobic state where each step happens while fighting the urge to run the other way.

Therefore, first stop: restaurant. I downed a nice tuna salad and a glass of “il vino bianco” (white wine).

The line up to get into the Vatican consisted of pre-lines, like an airport experience where every individual and their bags are scanned first before granting entry to the forecourts and gardens. Makes sense, sadly.

So, after thirty-five minutes in the belting sun, security ensured I had no guns or ill intent; for the man in the long white dress and top hat. The long wait and the sunburn were worth it!

Never will you see such grand architecture, statues, and mind-blowing artwork from so many of the famous artists we’ve all learned about. Now I know why; I get it! These huge art pieces were the chosen pieces to be placed here on display for the big man and the masses, and deservedly so. There was an alluring story in the imagery of every piece; no words were needed. These artists had a superpower – they were gifted.

One statue struck me. A big strong man in white flowing robes angrily looking down at a tiny person cowering by his feet on the ground and looking up for mercy. “Hmm! In a nutshell, I thought jadedly” as I moved along, scratching my head about why this organisation of powerful men chose to include this artistic piece suggesting an admission of guilt. I finally reasoned that it might be: “a reminder!” Sorry mum! Not sorry.

Next up was some frantic shopping. I found that the shop assistants here were not as friendly and helpful as most Aussie shop assistants. One or two assistants were salty even, but I couldn’t give up as (the hubby) Nathan needed two business shirts stat.

With my shopping bag in hand, I headed to the Trevi fountain. Yes, it was amazing, beautiful, and tuna-can-packed with tourists like me. Fifteen minutes later, I was back in my bus seat. I hurried home for a quick shower as Nathan and his colleague Jamie were arriving soon with a surprise for me.

“Oh my god - surely not?” I said.

“You’ll be fine, Jules.”

Well, there goes my no-high-risk-activity travel insurance.

And…yes, Nathan almost got hit by a car, and where there were cobbled sections of road, if you didn’t tiptoe on the scooter, your brain shook until it hurt.

Why is risk so much fun?

We stopped at a small restaurant run by a local Roman family who told us they were the third generation in their family to run it. We ordered a couple of pasta dishes and some side salads. Dinner was delicious.

Afterwards, we scootered over to the Colosseum, which looked even more stunningly mighty during the night time in all its mood-lighting glory. After a lap or two, we returned to the street we were staying in and began the hunt for the right set of timber doors.

When to focus in Rome