Rome was never in our plan as we had decided to avoid the big cities- but could not get connections from Milos to Brindisi in one day. So- Rome bound we left Milos and there began our comedy of errors.
It’s pretty much standard that I set the alarms off going through security with all my embellishments, accessories and dingle dangles. But leaving Athens they just kept sending me back to remove one item at a time…looking homeless…shoeless… jewelleryless… they eventually took me behind the curtain and realised it was a dangle on my Camilla pocket skirt. As a result of my time-consuming strip tease- we descend the stairs and Anne questions, “where is the plane?” as it is nowhere to be seen (Anne perhaps you need new glasses). It is small but waiting in the distance on the tarmac and we make a run for it in fits of laughter.
We were very grateful that our luggage was sent straight through from Milos to Rome….but fast forward to the carousel…and of course…no luggage. We discover that because it was sent straight through and ended up on a different flight it was now in another terminal. We walk what seems like miles with a lovely young man in the same situation…who thankfully is very helpful and speaks Italian…and have to go through security again to get back into the baggage claim area. Now my Athens experience is repeated, but this time with a very surly security officer who keeps requesting that I remove items from my body…eventually asking me to remove my headband. I’m insisting that it’s the dangle on my skirt but take it off anyway and go through again. I was wrong- it was the wire in my headband. A very sarcastic ‘I told you so’ look and comment ensues but we are finally on our way, luggage in tow. Note to self- don’t argue with a security officer if you don’t want to look and feel like an idiot!
Rome, Italy’s capital, is a sprawling, cosmopolitan city with nearly 3,000 years of globally influential art, architecture and culture on display. It is a heady mix of haunting ruins, awe-inspiring art and vibrant street life. Ancient ruins such as the Roman Forum and the Colosseum evoke the power of the former Roman Empire and after wasting a good hour trying to find our luggage… thankfully… and to the first timers excitement, the hour spent driving to our hotel we pass many of these ancient landmarks. We finally arrive at sunset…
…and have just enough time to fight the crowds to gain a glimpse of the Trevi Fountain ….
and then to have pizza and vino by the Spanish steps in a little rooftop restaurant I remembered from a previous trip here, lapping up the dolce vita that holidaying in Italy is all about.
and I think to myself what a wonderful world 