The Rome Less Traveled...

Okay, so I didn’t really travel in a part of Rome less traveled but I was trying to come up with something clever. 

New hotel room...comfy bed.

I successfully moved my luggage from my first hotel to the new hotel where I joined up with my group. Woohoo!  Since I walked it over, we will not discuss whether or not I over-packed and had to make more than one trip or not.  Nope, not gonna do it.   The first time over to the new hotel…I mean…when I arrived at the hotel, my room was not ready which was not surprising since I was super-duper early (to beat the heat and humidity).  I joked with the reception person to just get the person out of my room and he picked up the phone like he was going to call them.  I give him two thumbs up for his sense of humor!!!!  

(My) terrace at original hotel

In case you were wondering, there were no “wait-offs” on the terrace this morning so I was able to enjoy the last few hours before moving to the new hotel in peace and harmony with the great outdoors…er…okay, I realize that a terrace doesn’t quite count in that category but it is my type of outdoors.   I’ve included a photo proving that I was reading stuff for class while on my terrace.  So see, it was a great learning environment.  Yeah, learning environment…a learning environment in the great outdoors…sounds good.

Performance art at dinner

And now, time for a quick plug for the program I’m in: For those of you who don’t know, I have been studying writing for children and young adults.  I was trying to find a program where I could study writing that would fit my schedule and Spalding’s MFA was a perfect match. (Check it out!) Since I’ve only been doing the summer semester, I join the program in different countries each summer for classes, which is totally cool.  I really love how so many of the same people come each summer so it feels like getting back together with friends that you haven’t see for a while but with whom we have really unique connections.  (Shout out to those of you we miss this summer!  Wish you were here!)  Okay, enough of that.   We all had dinner tonight together and at one point there were some people performing out of a window looking onto the patio where we were seated.  I'm not quite sure exactly what was going on because of all of us having so much fun catching up with each other, but it was still entertaining to see them tossing stuff out the window.

Random observations:

--I have taken so many showers since I’ve been here (and it’s just been a few days.) The temperature and humidity are fine in the early morning and night time but during the day it is hot and humid. How do some people still look cool and sophisticated here?  They must have a gene I lack because just walking around a little makes me feel all sticky and sweaty.

--I found a place where I can get a slice of Margherita pizza to go (although I made a mistake and called it a “cheese” pizza and had to be corrected. Oops!

--I still tried to turn up the volume when I wasn’t understanding the Italian dubbed “Doc Martin” and “White Collar” earlier today.  I know it’s not logical to think it would help my understanding since I don’t speak Italian, but I still tried it anyway.  It didn't work.

When in Rome...

So, I love my hotel room.  It's a good thing that I have to change hotels tomorrow or else I wouldn't see much of the city.

The breakfast buffet was included for me.  Around the buffet were photos taken from some of Fellini's films.  Considering I had just watched a couple of his films, I thought it was interesting...and a little spooky...like Fellini was following me...

Anyway, if you've read previous posts from my other travels, you'll be happy to learn that the bacon here was very tasty too.  Although the assortment of cheeses had me wishing for my computer to figure out how I was supposed to eat some of them.  I ended up trying to spread some sort of cheese on my fresh baguette thinking it was cream cheese--it wasn't.  I ate it anyway in case anyone was watching so they'd think I meant to put that particular cheese on my bread.

On my way back to my room, I followed signs to the rooftop pool...but I didn't see a pool. Did someone steal the pool?!? Not that I was going to go swimming, I just wanted to check it out. Instead I found a cool reception area that had a great overlook of the Piazza della Repubblica with
Santa Maria degil Angeli e del Martiri across the street.  If I understood the concierge correctly, the ruins beneath the hotel used to connect to that church.  I found a video someone else had made and they had seen the same area I had visited but they also found the pool too.  I'm sure it is around here somewhere...


 

After breakfast, I decided to read for a bit on my large terrace.  It was perfect with the shade in the morning.  (If you don't know me, too much sun does not work for my skin.  I'm kind of like a vampire—not that I drink blood—in that I need to avoid too much contact with sun.)  My terrace was split from the neighboring terrace by a row of tall potted plants--so not super private--but we were the only two on that side of the building with a terrace.  

The neighbors must have enjoyed the evening out there because there were two "Moet" Champaign buckets with empty bottles still in them.  I assumed that meant they’d be sleeping in from the previous night’s revelries. Fine—they get the terrace in the evening; I get it in the morning.  Works for me.

I was enjoying reading on the terrace when the happy couple came out in their hotel robes and decided to eat breakfast out there.  I'm assuming they noticed me at some point because they kept their voices down when they talked to each other between bites.

Wait—I just made a deal with them in my head on when we’d get access to the terrace and they were breaking my plan!

I knew I wouldn't want to be out on the terrace once the shade went away (thanks to my vampire skin) so I decided to wait them out to have the terrace again to myself.  

That's right...a wait off!!!  

Mwah hah hah.

After all, they had the terrace last night, now it was my turn!  (Yes, I can be that petty.)  

And so it began.  I kept reading while they kept eating.

I read.

They ate.

I read.

They ate.

  

Finally they went inside.

Woohoo!  My terrace again.  Triumph!

I breathed in the fresh air of victory on the still cool and shady terrace.

Various church bells rang across the city as if to celebrate my conquest.  Sea gulls gobbled up the remnants of my neighbors’ breakfast as if to signal an end to the couple’s reign.

As the edge of the shade drew nigh, I knew I’d have to go inside soon. 

But then…the couple returned.  Nooooo!

The man was dressed in a suit and the leggy woman only had on a dress shirt--so felt like a stereotype in a movie.  

I had to regain my claim on the morning use of the terrace (especially after sea gulls had been eating their food...yuk!)

I kept reading while they kept making googly-eyes at each other.

I read.

They made googly eyes.

I read.

They made googly eyes.

Finally, they went inside.  Victory!!!  Or in the words of Juliet Cesar – Veni Vedi Vici  - I came, I saw, I conquered.

   I'm currently planning my goals for using the terrace again tomorrow...

In order to ensure that the room service here was up to par, I decided--for the sake of those of you reading this blog, of course--to try it out.  The food was tasty but even more impressive was the room service menu.  In addition to listing the foods available, the recipe was included for each item on its own page.  How cool is that!

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.

Last day in Athens...Thursday, July 9th

Noooooooooo!  I'm about to head home to the laundry I left out, the mail that must be piled up filled with bills, and things I need to do to get really for work again.  It has been so nice to forget all of that and enjoy Greece.



I decided to make sure I soaked in things today that are unique about this area of Athens.  I ate on the rooftop for breakfast and had a great view of the acropolis.




I walked down to Starbucks and people-watched the locals opening their shops and workers walking to their jobs.

I ate lunch in a cafe in Syntagma Square so I could see the vendors, protestors, and tourists make use of the pleasant space.

I bought a new carryon...because I needed it.

Greece has been a great place to visit.  It has so many ancient buildings and artifacts and it was exciting to be here during such a historic time in their history.

Panoramic View from rooftop restaurant.  Parliament on left and Syntagma Square directly in front/below

Hey! I'm a Spice! - Wednesday, July 8th

Tuesday, I was able to walk over to one of the original areas where my group shopped a couple weeks ago.  I even found the souvlaki place again.  Yum!  After a break back at the hotel I ended up having dinner in the hotel to make sure I wasn't on my feet too much.

Small 16th Century Chapel with big
building built around it.

Today I was a bit more adventurous.  I explored past the Starbucks and roamed in and out of little passage ways.  I'm not even sure exactly where I ended up but all I had to do was have people point me in the direction of Syntagma Square and I was able to find my way to the hotel.  Woohoo!

I made a first attempt to pack things....it wasn't a pretty sight.  My bags are stuffed to the brim and I have things that don't fit.  Luckily, I must not be the only tourist that has this issue because in the cutesy alleyways filled with tourist shops, there are luggage shops too.  I intend to figure out what size bag I need to purchase (it will need to be a carryon since I already have two checked bags...someday I will learn not to pack so much to begin with....)

Old Church with pigeon hanging out in shade

On my journeys today, I found a spice pack with my name on it.  Cool!  If I didn't have bags that were already full, I would have bought it but with my luck, it would cause the zippers on my bags to burst open from being too packed.

Twist and Shout...because you hurt your ankle...Monday, July 6th.

I was sad to see almost everyone else take off this morning.  Well, I guess I didn't really "see" them take off.  After all, a lot of them had to be on the bus at 3:45am.  So, I mean "see" in the not-so-literal sense of the word...but I bet you figured that out already.  You clever person, you!

There were a few of us at the hotel so it was great being able to have one last breakfast with people from the writing program.  Around noon, I left the Emmantina in Glyfada (suburb of Athens where we stayed with the group) and headed back to my plush hotel in Athens.

Originally, all their rooms had been sold out.  However, thanks to the Greek financial crisis taking place right outside the hotel, some rooms opened up.  Woohoo!  I was able to get an inner courtyard room in the hotel.  When I arrived, the reception lady told me that my room was ready but that I needed to go to the Reception Room on the Butler level to check in.  I was asked to have a seat at an elegant desk and a couple of tall, dark and handsome twenty-something men were asking if I needed anything.  Somehow I managed to get out "water" and I drank it all as I tried to figure out what I was doing on a floor with butlers.    What do I do with a butler?  Should I put on my best outfit to stay on this floor?  Should I fake a British accent (which I am horrible at) to at least pretend that I am more sophisticated than I really am?  Are the butlers judging me?  So much pressure.  Butler George helped me to my room and gave me his business card in case I needed to contact him.



After my bags arrived in the room (much faster than my first non-butler floor visit a couple of weeks ago), I set off to the Starbucks that I knew was nearby.  Along the way, I found where the Princess Cruise lines drop off all their tours and decided to check out the shops that they felt were worthy of their customers.  The main one was a larger tourist shop and I found a few things I had wanted.  When my arms started getting full, I noticed some shopping baskets and leaned over to place my items in them.

Did I trip on the steep stairs of the Acropolis?  No.
Did I tumble down the hill at the Temple of Poseidon?  No.
Did I fall during the many days on a hillside resort in Crete?  No.
Did I twist my ankle on a 4-inch step inside a tourist shop in Athens?  Yep.

A couple of people stopped to make sure I was alright.  One older guy complimented me on making sure the olive oil and other stuff in my hands made it into the basket as I was falling.  (I actually had tried to do that too so I was glad someone gave me credit for being successful.)

After the employees gave me somewhere to sit and some water (Why does a twisted ankle make you feel so icky???), I purchased what was in my bag and then hobbled the rest of the way to Starbucks (priorities, you know.)  I figured I'd better get my Frappuccino before my ankled got too stiff to want to move at all.  I rested for a bit then somehow made it back to my hotel room.  I didn't see any ankle braces inside the pharmacy stores but I didn't ask.

I treated myself to room service then wondered if I would need to have Butler George do all the things I was hoping to do myself.  Could George get the gifts for others I had wanted to purchase?  Could George hunt down an ankle bandage for me?  Could George find me ice?  I did some internet searches on what hotel butlers could do and it sounded like those might all be possibilities.  However I was relieved to wake up the next morning and, although still puffy and sore, I was able to walk and shop without needing George.  ;)

A Quick Recap and Back in Athens - Sunday, July 5th

In spite of the many, many stairs, the resort was great.  How was it possible that I walked and climbed so much and gained weight?!? Well, it could be the non-stop yummy food that the resort served.  My favorite things were the tasty feta cheese, huge assortment of various olive oils, and the incredible al dente pasta at the chef's stations.

Now, sometimes there were some super aggressive people that couldn't wait a few seconds for people to get out of their way and it really bugged me.  For example, there was a person at the small water fountain getting sparkling water and the nozzle for still water was right next to it.  I was waiting for the person to move to get to the water so I wouldn't crowd the guy and a young adult swoops in and gets water.  She's on my list! (My imaginary list of people who need a stern talking to...in actuality, I'll just glare at the back of their head for a bit  (or, perhaps vent about it on my blog) before realizing that they don't care that they bugged me.)  

We had incredible views of the water at every meal.  The architects did a great job of maximizing the number of tables that had water views.  It was also a great location for our course because we were all eating in the same area which meant that we got to know everyone better this year compared to last year when we had to fend for our own meals each time.  Hurray for group bonding!   

We had to write an ode for our interdisciplinary portion of the trip.  I am no poet but I couldn't resist doing one for the resort.  Although I like my Ode to Nutella from last year, I now know that odes are supposed to have three main parts.  In order to ensure that my ode to Fodele Beach Resort was in proper form, I modeled it after Ode to a Grecian Urn.  ;)

Ode to a Cretan All-Inclusive Resort

Thou beacon of rest that sits on a hill,

Thou who reaches from the azure frothy waters

To the plastic water slide near the cloud filled sky,

Thou whose rooms provide a peaceful morsel of sleep

Away from other travelers basking in the many delights of thine offerings.

What delight thou bringest to the weary traveler—

People who desire a respite from the day-to-day grind

That eats away at the very marrow of existence

When at last a ray of solitude breaks through the gray clouds of work.

What men and women work thou has selected to serve the masses that

Assemble on thine halls, pathways, and courts

To ensure all will find their personal piece of relaxation.

O Fodele!  What shall become of us now?

Who shall slice our cucumbers, feta, and tomatoes for a longing stomachs?

Who shall offer us discounts on massages for our weary muscles?

And. Who shall ensure boardwalks are easily accessible so our

Feet dare not sink in the sandy shore?

O Fodele, we shall once more learn to be on our own.

But to us, you say’st “Rest is Fodele.  Fodele is rest.

You need only return to us to remember this truth.”

As much as I enjoyed Fodele, it was nice to get back to Athens.  We had a great graduation and celebration of the people that completed the program and a lovely goodbye party on the rooftop garden overlooking the sea.   I would have had some photos of the incredible sunset but someone (not to mention any names) accidently left the video camera on when she put in it her pocket and wore out the batteries.......

One of the great things about this particular writing program is that it was designed to not force competitiveness but encouragement so people are very supportive of each other.  I finally was brave this summer and read some writing samples to the larger group (all genres can participate in the student readings) and had such encouragement from my classmates.  Woohoo!  Go Spalding!