The trip into Italy was spectacular - beautiful snow in Switzerland before descending into "The Boot" and heading across the fertile plains to Venice and an overnight stop there (having spent a weekend there already with Michelle in mid-January). I finally arrived into Rome late the next day and settled into the campsite - they employed a bizarre debit-card system where all cash purchases had to be made with the campsite card. Most odd. They also had several emus, peacocks and roosters running rampant. Odder still. Said avians also liked to chirp very loudly, very early in the morning. Every morning. But enough of that. Rome itself was spectacular ... everything you imagine it to be, and more. The Colosseum was amazing - we took a walk through that - as were the ruins of the Forum. The Castel Sant'Angelo was great too ... sumptuous Papal apartments and a wonderful 360 degree view of Rome. I made the requisite coin tosses into the Trevi Fountain as well - that was a real "wow" moment as I rounded the corner of the little side street and into the plaza itself. Gorgeous figures hewn straight out of the marble - quite breathtaking. Oh dear, I think I'm just ran out of superlatives. Never mind. A few of us also managed to score tickets to see doddery old J.P.II. do his Wednesday audience thing, but the pouring rain dampened spirits somewhat (yes, again). A half hour trudge in the wet to the train station I can do without ... the delights of the Vatican will have to wait until next time. Oh, and it's true what they say ... all roads lead there, it really wasn't built in a day and when you're there, you should try and do as they do. If not, managing to avoid being run over will suffice.
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