Rome, Italy
I actually surprise myself with how comfortable I am riding through a large city. The hardest part is knowing where I should be going. Google Maps is a godsend, but in Italy it doesn't have a bike option. If I put in auto, it takes me to the nearest highway and if I put in walker, it takes me up steps and one-way streets the wrong way. Adds to the challenge for sure. And that was today because I had to use walking instructions. There I was pedaling past the Vatican on a 4 lane road, my side, and thinking this is feeding into a highway, I think. Trying to read the myriad of signs and my phone...and not get wiped out by all the cars coming in every direction. (I almost did get backed over first thing this morning...my greatest fear is seeing backup lights coming my way!). So I noticed a bunch of cops standing on the sidewalk staring and I cycled over. "How do I cross the river?" Great machine you have there! A Dutch guy handed me a map...how sweet. I got the info but it took me to a bridge that came towards me not the way I needed. But I managed to figure it out. I have to pull over often and figure out where I am and where I need to go. Did a couple of loops when roads didn't do what I thought they did. Lots of one-ways in this city!
But around every corner was this
And this
And this
And this
And this
This city is built around these ancient ruins. They pepper the city. Everywhere I looked today was a ruin of some sort or another. Pretty amazing.
Found the hostel. Third floor walk-up. Blaze is under the stairs by the front door. All my gear is strewn about the room. This weekend there'll be 6 women in here, but for now it's just us 2. Got laundry fine first thing. It's been weeks since it's gone through a machine! A clean now:)
I asked the girl at the desk here where I could find Christmas presents. "But it's not the season yet!" she replied. I love it! Wish we'd wait awhile in the States. That's one reason I don't like to be stateside during the holidays. Too much stress.
So I'm booked in for 6 nights. Ahh. I've been chillin' all afternoon after biking 15 miles in chaos and walking for an hour or so doing errands. Sightseeing (and Christmas shopping:)) can wait until tomorrow.
Did have some good pizza around the corner today.
And I don't know if I've mentioned how much I admire European drivers for their ability to parallel park...but they can squeeze in some tight spots. Loved seeing this way to park too.
Livin' the life,
BagLady
Facebook: Kathryn Mossbrook Zimmerman
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