Day 1

We are in Rome, arrived safe and sound and very tired.
Day one of our Italian holiday began early (very early) on Friday 10th at 3am at the Perth Airport.
The entire flying time of some seventeen hours left us very cramped and sore.
Eleven hours later, Homo eructus----still in the shape of airline seats---raised a few eyebrows at Dubai Airport.
At the end of this two hour break we assumed our usual shape. But wait there is more!!

Six hours after departing Dubai we arrived in Rome. No instructions from the cabin crew left us wandering around an airport
which we assumed was Rome as all signs were in Italian.
Thank God for the large group of Japanese tourists with a guide!! We latched on to the end of the group and finally
found our baggage and the exit.
We finally met our Hotel rep. who met us and took us to Hotel Nerva. Our journey by air seemed tame by comparsion
to the twenty-minute car ride from the Airport to the hotel.
If AFL is the sport of Australia then driving very fast and very close to the car in front is the Italian sport.
Traffic rules exist I would have to assume, as our driver reacted angrily when someone else broke one or all.
I can't say for sure.

The Hotel Nerva staff are friendly and helpful. The Hotel Nerva is small. The shower is the smallest I ever seen. In fact,
if I were to write this in shower there wouldn't be space enough for all 26 alphabets. Makingthissentencelookabitlikethis.
Any smaller and the water drops would have to replaced with steam. We have adjusted and while shower before meals.

Today we wandered around, ending up about a kilometer away and at 90 degrees to where we intended to be.
Didn't bother us too much, seeing we were still in Rome and we have torromow to get it right.
I don't how many others have missed the Colloseum by as much as we did.
Maybe they should have built something bigger!

On the way back to the hotel we stopped into a little shop to buy something for lunch. Assuming the woman behind the counter
didn't speak English we began our purchase with sign language. At some stage we signed incorrectly ( I Think).
The lady "freaked out"..Apparently we should have asked for two sandwhiches.... in English!!!
which she informed us she spoke quite well.
Along with Portugese, French, Chinese and Filipina. We thanked her in English and Italian "gratzia", she said "Bravo"
and we promised to return tomorrow at her invitation for lesson two.
Thank goodness she mistook us for ignorant Americans (her words, I WOULD NOT DARE MIS-QUOTE THIS ONE)
so we left it at that keeping our nationality a secret for now. There's always tomorrow!!

A hairy Verderci for now!
Chris

Hi Folks
At last, at last my dream comes true.  Just imagine waking up in the morning, opening the
window and seeing an ancient monument. Not Chris, really.  Yes, we are truly 10 metres from
the forum.
Everywhere you go there are reminders of history that I have only read about.  I am feasting
my eyes on sights I have never seen.  The weather is just wonderful here.
Glad to be in the warmth. Not too hot just enough to thaw out.  There  seems to be adequate
public transport available. Plenty of busses, trams and trains to get about in.

We visited the Basilica today.  The entrance was built by Michael Angelo. Chris tries to get
me to behave myself but cant help walking about with my mouth open.  Everywhere you look
there is something to paint.  I will try to paint something when I get back.  Unfortunately,
not enought time to learn here.  We're goint out to dinner tonight.  Looking forward to eating
real Italian food.
As usual, doing the tourist thing.  We walked for miles and found the most interesting sights
were on our doorstep.  Have taken plenty of photos of Chris among the ruins!
Nothing else to add for today.  Will keep you in touch.
Lots of good cheer
Bel