Roma. My First Love. Part Two.

"Mr. Donnelly, your luggage was never put on the plane in Saint John"... Welcome to Roma!

Wait, let's back it up a bit.

I love talking to strangers when I have no where else to be. Realistically I talk to strangers every day at work. "Air Canada flight 890 to Rome has been delayed 3 hours". Everyone at the gate sighed, grunted and some flipped out. This beautiful well dressed older woman (you know, the type that her floral carry-on bags match and go with her shoes too) who was seated next to me hauled her mask down and looked at me and said "Are you f**king kidding me!?". 20 some odd years previous on a trip to Rome she met a guy, had a story book romance and had travelled back to visit him annually. This was going to be the first time she had seen him since the pandemic and the travel gods were throwing a wrench in her plans. I spoke to the Air Canada agent who informed me they were working on getting another plane as the one we were supposed to fly on had been hit by lightning. My thoughts were pretty clear... I'm totally fine with a new plane with that situation! I found the Roman lover lady and filled her in... She was still pissed (I wish I knew how her trip went, it sounded steamy!). Me? I found a bar and ordered up a bourbon on the rocks. I wasn't going to be on too firm of a schedule, I had a full week booked in Rome and I was choosing to travel during a global pandemic; gotta roll with it.

I finally boarded the overnight flight, popped a couple extra strength melatonin, ordered a scotch and turned on the 1953 classic "Roman Holiday" starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck... It wasn't long before I was fast asleep. Arriving at Fiumicino Airport early morning, I was ready to grab my suitcase and head to my AirBNB next door to the Vatican. Wrong! It sucks being the last person at the luggage carousel (while Roman lover lady grabbed her suitcase and walked away haha) watching the empty conveyor go round and round. I popped over to the lost luggage desk while trying to text Michelangelo who was waiting for me at his lovely AirBNB I was renting for the week on the quaint Via degli Ombrellari. "Mr. Donnelly, your luggage was never put on the plane in Saint John"... Like I said before, just gotta roll with it, it will all work out. I made the arrangements to have my luggage delivered a few days later and headed on my way! Michelangelo was there waiting for me, loaded up my apartment with snacks, wine and beer... I was home in Rome! He asked if I needed directions to go shopping to replace some things in my luggage but as I laughed I told him I totally knew where to go, not my first time here! He smirked and off I went.
[AirBNB Listing]
Oh poor me, I had to shop... In Rome.

Day 1.

Of course I had to immediately go find some delicious pasta and make my way to the Trevi fountain to finish a TikTok I started at home (kids these days... haha.)
[See TikTok here]

I shopped for basics, dropped them off at my apartment and alas I could just go and enjoy my time in Rome, it was time to begin my adventure!

Afterwards I just took it easy, found some great restaurants/bars in my neighbourhood, landed myself at my friends Luciano & Shannon's favourite restaurant Jazz Cafe just on the other side of the Ponte Umberto where I had delicious bistecca di manzo, artichokes & of course pasta. Afterwards I headed back to my apartment to go bed early to try and beat the jet leg.

* Everyone knows about using AirBNB for places to stay but what some don't realize is there are also incredible things to do as well if you look under "Experiences" instead of just stays. I had prebooked some VERY cool things to do and was so excited to see what they were all about.

Day 2.

Proper Italian espresso... there's nothing better. I quit smoking some time ago but when I'm in Europe somehow I can just pick it back up again and not have even a craving when I get home. That was breakfast: Espresso & a cigarette. I can't even explain the logic, it just is what is... It just seems necessary, like how peanut butter goes with jam.

After I scrummaged through my carry-on and yesterdays shopping, I found some reasonable things to wear for my first adventure of the trip: Kayaking in the beautiful lake situated outside the pope's summer residence. Castel Gandolfo. [See AirBNB experience here]
* Castel Gandolfo is commonly known as the Pope's City, as it houses the Pope's summer residence. It is a holiday resort located at the top of Lake Albano and is frequented by tourists from all over the world who appreciate the location, the panorama, the exquisite hospitality and the refined beauty.

I hopped on the metro at Ottaviano station and zipped over to Anagnina metro station where I met up with my fellow experiencers: A super fun & energetic couple who live between two homes, one in Singapore and another in Melbourne. There was also a nice young family of three who were just visiting for the weekend from England, the mom was originally from Russia and we had lots of interesting conversation about the war that had just commenced in Ukraine. Off we went to Castle Gandolfo where they handed us water, snacks and got us suited up with all the safety equipment needed.

I suited up and jumped in the kayak. It was a bit cool because it was still early April, but totally bearable. The water was choppy but absolutely stunning.The guides took us all around the lake pointing out gorgeous landmarks and giving us a great history lesson. I had many moments on this vacation where I just paused and took in the reality of the moment with gratitude. Sitting in a kayak, on an incredible lake where many before me had lived through history.

Once we finished kayaking they gave us all pizza! Of course. Had some time to chill in the grass with my new friends from England/Russia/Singapore/Melbourne and just prepare to head back to the city.

When I got back to Rome, I wandered around, grabbing a drink here and an espresso there; trying to figure out what I'd do for the evening. A Tipsy Tour jumped out at me on AirBNB! What a great idea! "This tipsy tour is the perfect oppurtunity for travelers (solo or geoups) to get familiar with Rome's sights as well as its signature drinks in a sociable and relaxed atmosphere with fun local guides."... sounded perfect to me.

We started the tour with beer and wine outside the famous Colosseum. After a fun round of introductions and talking to the other fellow travelers, it was time to move it along. Delicious espressos with liquers at Caffe Roma, Many variations of the Aperol Spritz at Fire - Arts & Spirits & shots outside of the monument of Vittorio Emanuele II. The best part about travelling solo is making friends along the way and this group became fast friends!

Day 3

The day my luggage turned up!

I got word that morning that my luggage would be arriving that afternoon so I had to postpone one of my experiences I had booked but as you'll read on day 6, it actually turned out to be a much better experience because of the delay.

This day was pretty chill, I went out for coffee and pastries that morning before doing a little exploring around my neighborhood shops. Once I had picked up a couple souvenirs I discovered a cool hotel near my apartment that had a glorious rooftop terrazza that overlooked the beautiful sight of Vatican City. The lovely Terrazza Les Etoiles Roma. I was seated at a table, ordered an Aperol Spritz which of course was accompanied by delicious snacks like olives, breads, etc... Then a massive seagull swooped by and stole my snacks while I was preoccupied reading my book haha.

I went back to my apartment across the street to wait for my luggage to be delivered from the airport. After waiting a few hours and navigating phones calls from the delivery company with my limited Italian and their limited English, I finally had my luggage back so that I could go about my day.

I love just walking around Rome, popping in and out of shops, visiting ethereal churches and of course people watching. I, of course, found lots of delicious food along the way; Caprese, Polpetti, Rigatoni Alla Carbonara & some great local Rose at Ristorante Il Pozzetto. I then went for a nice evening walk down to the Spanish Steps, Trevi and lots of beautiful sights as I worked my way back to my apartment. Oh, and of course, Gelato for the walk back.

Day 4

The day I accidentally went to a funeral.

Trastevere is the oldest part of Rome and in recent years is becoming the trendy, hipster neighbourhood. Lots of cool bars (also you really only get coffee in bars in Rome), restaurants, cute artisan shops, etc. I loved the beautiful street art and it was much less busy than other areas. I started my day here and loved it. Before I checked out some galleries and shops I of course popped into a bar for a quick espresso.

I grabbed a seat at Ristorante Sabatini and ordered up some delicious food and just enjoyed people watching while I drooled over the incredible cuisine. This restaurant sits across the way from Basilica di Santa Maria which is a pre-medieval church with a mosaic facade. I asked my server if the church was open for visitors, he took a quick glance over and said to me if the doors are open, its open. I should have looked a little closer for myself than I did because after I went over and walked in it took me a few minutes to realize there was a funeral happening! Did I walk out right away? Of course not, I stayed quietly in the back and just took in the environment.

When I left the church I sent my dad a text because I would let him know how my day was going now and then while traveling; he was confused how I accidentally crashed a funeral but found it funny that I of course would end up in a situation like that. That was definitely a stupid tourist move.

After that exciting afternoon I headed back to my apartment to get ready for a food & wine tour that I was doing in the off the tourist path neighbourhood of Prati.

... the rest of Day 4 will have to wait for the next chapter as it was a food & wine tour turned into incredible friendships and fun times!