Roma

Kathy here....I think, anyway. I'm feeling that jet lagged stupor that always comes with this kind of overnight European travel. Compounded by the fact that Italy played in the World Cup just now so the streets of Rome were practically dead...everyone was at home watching, even the pizza maker at the small cafe we tried to eat at earlier this afternoon. (Had to settle for bruschetta with fresh tomatoes, baby arugula, olive oil and a spray bottle of amazing balsamic...drag, really). At the end, when Italy lost the match, there were some haphazard car horns but now things are starting to get lively again. In short, kind of surreal, like a good Fellini film.
Our arrival was pretty smooth, considering none of us has travelled in Europe at all recently. Great train ride from the airport to the main Termini station. No one tried the GOO scam on us and we figured out the ticket system pretty easily. A few blocks later and we were in our very chic hotel being served espresso by our host Andrea while he showed us a map and explained a few things. Our room is small, with high ceilings, and a lovely two shuttered window overlooking the street below with all of its various activities. Cool graphic of a Vespa painted on the wall and a full length three paneled black and white photo of Audrey Hepburn. Not to mention the computer with free wireless in the room. Iris figured that out lickety split. The hotel is in the East African area of Rome, so we are in fact quite at home...small cafes with African and Italian food, men sitting around talking and smoking and hair salons with loads of chatting African women. Thinking to head out for a walk and late dinner now...more later. Baci