Ken and Elise's trip

Day 20: Rome 1

We slept in a little and after feeling a bit more rested, we headed out to the train station where the HOHO can be picked up. The Hop On Hop Off tours in Rome are very competitive with several companies vying for the tourist euro. Before we got to the station we were approached by literally a dozen ticket sellers. Rick Steves had said the HOHO 110 is the best so we were decided on that. Over and over again, the sellers tried to change our minds. “No you don’t want that one,” they would say urgently holding brochures under our noses, “the 110 only has 9 stops--ours has 13 and it is cheaper!” Have to admit it made sense, but we are big Rick Steves fans, and he has rarely steered us wrong. So we stuck to our guns. When they saw we were determined on 110, they suddenly were able to sell us tickets to that bus as well. Obviously, they were getting a bigger commission from the other lines.

We finally found a hawker we sort of liked, got our tickets and boarded the bus. We had a game plan. We would go around once and just take in the sights. Time two, I would start listening to the commentary (unfortunately, Ken can’t hear the commentary even with the ear buds so I have to be responsible for that). Then we would decide where we wanted to get off. We had purchased tickets that were good for 48 hours so we were good for two days.

We were to discover that the HOHOs in Rome are run on a much more rigid system than other cities. Usually, once you buy your ticket, you don’t get bothered much. Ken and I have often jumped off at one spot, hopped on an hour or so later and never been asked for any proof of a ticket. That definitely is not the case in Rome. They have two people on the bus--the driver (male) and a female ticket minder who sits across from him checking tickets. One time Ken and I airily hopped on through the back door and headed up to the rooftop. The ticket girl came chasing after us yelling, “I have to see your ticket! I have to see your ticket!” After that we were careful to get on through the front door and let them check to make sure we were not scofflaws.

When Ken and I devised our game plan, we hadn’t realized how long the trip would be. Although it was only 9 (I think) stops, due to the traffic, it frequently took 2 hours around. I also soon discovered that the commentary was a joke (we were pre-warned about this by Rick Steves too). It didn’t even mesh with where we were. We would be told to look to the left at the “famous fountain” and there wouldn’t be a fountain in sight.

After two runs, Ken and I were ready to do something else. We had seen some spectacular buildings, etc, but we were tired of the bus. We got off at the train station and had some gelato! What a wonderful way to refresh one’s spirits!! After that we headed back to the hotel for a little nap.

Then we talked it over and decided that the two stops that were important to us that day were the Circus Maximus (me) and the Vatican (Ken). So we found our bus again, and prepared to actually get off and experience the sights. We came to the Circus first and got off. It was a smashingly beautiful day with blue skies and warm sunshine. As we rounded the corner to the stop, we saw a fruit vendor selling fresh fruit. After we got off at the stop, we walked back to the vendor and bought slices of watermelon. Then we headed to the Circus area and just sat there spitting watermelon seeds into the grass (it was the old fashioned kind of watermelon that still had seeds). I don’t think I will ever forget those moments. Sitting there in the sunshine, eating watermelon and reveling in the history spread out before me. Looking down at all the excavations that are being done, seeing the history still be revealed was very stirring to a history buff like myself. It truly was a wonderful moment.

After awhile, we decided we better get going if we were to do the Vatican justice. We hopped back on the bus, and wound our way across the Tiber River to the Vatican. It really is breath-takingly beautiful. We got there a little later in the day and the crowds, while still strong, had thinned out a little. We walked clear to the front and stared at the balcony where the Pope comes out to bless the multitudes. Finally we headed back across the square. A little ways back, we paused for a silent moment between us---a remembrance of Mom Gorth and how she would have loved to have stood where we were standing.

We found our bus, forced our tired feet to climb aboard and headed back to the hotel. We found a lovely little outdoors restaurant and had a good meal.

I was a little concerned about how few sights we had actually covered, but, hey, we still had all day tomorrow. Tomorrow, we would blaze new trails.

Tonight we were going to bed. And that we did.

End of Day 20 NOTE: Unfortunately these photos load in any darn order they please, so forgive the fact that they aren't grouped correctly.