Trains and Automobiles but NO PLANES

View of Rome from our Apartment

Most importantly everyone should know that tossing a coin in the Trevi fountain to guarantee a return to Rome, actually works.  This morning we packed our belongings and took the empty Leonardo Express train from the airport to the Roma Termini.  We are now pretty familiar with the areas and roads in central Rome. So arriving at the Termini did not leave us wondering which way to go or where we were.  We grab the first taxi in a line of at least 30 others, showed her the address on the phone and took off for the apartment.   Because of our familiarity with the area I noticed the taxi was taking an odd route.  But, I thought, maybe driving and one way streets make it different than walking.  However, she then drove past the Colosseum and then returned to circle it twice.  At this point I had turned on my gps to track her and point to the apartment address.  She tried to drop us at the Colosseum.  I ask her to point to the apartment; suddenly she couldn't speak English.  This was the moment when my Girl Scout kick-ass personality emerged.  Wayne and I both began to accuse her of things not to be mentioned here.  She again started driving and eventually found the apartment.  We're not sure if she really didn't know how to get there or was just trying to jack up the fare.  A lot of heated exchanges in Italian and English ensued in which we offered to pay less and she said no.  We persevered, got our bags, paid what we wanted, and left as she yelled fanculo at us.  Recognizing this I returned the insult. 

Our Living Room Complete with Netflix and Amazon Prime

Nicole, our apartment manager, gave us instructions on how to access the apartment.  We have a doorman, and we apparently have Amazon delivery based on packages at the desk. The apartment is lovely, large and overlooks the Rome Forum and Colosseum.  Riccardo, the 2nd apartment manager, arrived to acquaint us with the apartment and collect some cash.  He rode his motorcycle around to find us a nearby supermarket and texted the location.  It was good to be outside walking.  At the market we waited in a short line to be allowed access. As one shopper left, the next in line entered. The density of shoppers must be kept so person to person contact is at 1 meter.  But the shelves were stocked, and we bought all we could carry.  No one was hoarding toilet paper.  Must be the bidet thing. We settled into a nice night of Netflix tv and prosciutto sandwiches.  Pics at flickr.