Rome--If she wants to….Rome, around the world.

Okay, perhaps not quite the right “Rome” for that B-52 song but it still is going through my head…a lot.  Perhaps I’ll change some of the other lyrics to make it fit.

Got here early this morning and decided to take a taxi instead of figuring out how to get my big (albeit pretty…very pretty (because that was an important factor in me selecting it (and yes, this is an aside within an aside within an aside…got a problem with that?))) new luggage from the more affordable train station to my hotel.    I was thinking that things looked pretty similar on the ride to Rome to the US except for the gas/diesel stations took up a lot less room than back home.  In fact, we passed a couple of them that were on the side of the road in what looked like a short mini lane for a bus stop.  One guy was sitting in between a few pumps located against the edge of the sidewalk.  It was like a sidewalk salesperson except for gas instead of fruit or flowers. 

Once we drove through the arches of the old city wall, Rome definitely looked more like the photos and videos that we see of the place.  Lots of cool old stuff and ruins here and there.  I can’t wait to explore more of this part of the area. 

My hotel is beautiful…wow!   They were very sweet to upgrade me but since I was there so early I had to wait around a while.  The concierge suggested a walk (that I partly followed) around the local area but to go to “-1” floor first and see some of the ruins that are below the hotel.   I expected to see a section roped off in the basement for people to view the ruins but was surprised when large chunks of the floor in the hallways were glass so that you could see the ruins of the old baths below.  Although logically I know I could walk on the floor, I still walked around the edges of the glass which caused a couple of the hotel workers down there to watch me a little too closely as I made my way back to the elevator.

I was concerned that I’d fall asleep in the lobby after awhile so I told them I would take another room and forgo the upgrade.  Even though I’m sure the upgraded room was lovely, I was more concerned about getting some rest.  The person had pity on me and found me a different upgrade one with a terrace instead.  I can’t image a better option.  (Thanks, Boscolo Exedra!) Of course, the thought of someone falling asleep in their lobby dressed in a Smithsonian museum t-shirt might have also inspired them to get my out of their fashionable lobby but I'm going to just assume it was their general awesomeness and not my lack of sophistication when traveling that got me this room.  My room is incredible and I plan to hang around it tomorrow for most of the day to get all my work done for my classes…I mean, double-checking what I did for my classes.  I’m sure working on my terrace will provide great inspiration.

Random observations –

-McDonalds has a McShrimp sandwich here.  Really tasty.  Don’t judge…I figure I’ll be having more authentic Roman food when I join the rest of the group.  They also have a unique combo recycling bin.  The main part opens automatically when you put your tray near it.  I’m sure the McDonald’s people thought I was crazy when I took a picture of it.   The golden arches are on a green background here. I’m assuming because the Metro “M”s are on red. 

-Found an opera theater.  Their upcoming opera season shows a lot of Italian operas…hmm, go figure.  Although seems to me that they’re cheating since they already know how to pronounce the words correctly and what they mean.  American opera singers have to spend time getting those things right before they can perform.  ;)  However, I will give them points for finding opera posters around this local area as part of their advertising.  I don’t remember seeing opera posters hanging around places except for right by where the opera was being performed.