Our first day in Rome and because we had our flights re-arranged we had arrived earlier than expected. This gave us a chance to do a bit of aclimatisation before the full on tourist mode kicked in. Our hotel is to the north of the Borghese Gardens so our first experience of Rome was one of a calm garden stroll watching assorted couples, families, dog walkers and ... er... possibly every Boy and Girl Scout from Italy. Rome is awash with woggles! It must be a Scout gathering from every region and they are everywhere in groups both large and small.
We exited the park at Piazza del Popolo which seemed like a good time to stop for a glass of wine and ice cream! The sun was shining and we were in Rome, the Eternal City so it seemed like an appropriate thing to do. It is at times like these that I am aware just how lucky I am to be able to travel to places like this. From an early age I always dreamed of travelling the world (this was before the popular, nae, almost compulsory, teenage gap year before university/college.) I don't think I ever expected to have more than a handful of opportunities to go abroad and yet I have been very fortunate to have been to several cities in several countries. Sitting in cafes, watching the world go by, I am able to thank the local gods of food and drink for the chance to worship at their alters.
Refreshed, we walked down to the Piazza di Spagna and the famous Spanish Steps. This is were we met the real crowds, drawn to the tourist centres like so many back-packed, camera-pointing flies. Now, I am fairly well-travelled and have learned a thing or two about what can happen at touristy places. Hang onto your belongings, be vigilant, don't forget to put a fish in your ear...no that's from a different kind of travel...Anyway, this blog isn't called Tales Told By an Idiot for nothing and some of you may be aware of my first visit to Amsterdam (our honeymoon actually) where we were approached by a young man on Dam Square who asked if I would like some 'coke'. I replied, as politely as possible (because I was brought up to be nice to everyone) that thank you but no. I wasn't thirsty. At which point I received a thump on the arm and an angry admonition from Himself that that wasn't what I was being offered. So you see, I am not the sharpest tool in the box sometimes. So, back to the Spanish Steps. There I am taking photos when a nice young man (well, not so young) places three roses on top of my camera. No thank you I say, trying to hand them back. To which he smiles broadly, flutters his eye lashes at me and says, 'No, no! It is a present. For you!' Big smile and walks away. Oh well, I think. If he wants to give me flowers, that's his prerogative. Further up the steps he appears before me again asking if I like the flowers. I try to hand them back but again, 'No, they are a present.' Himself is giving me the rolling eyes by this time so I know I haven't picked up some clue. Flower man then approaches Sean and asks for payment for my 'present'. The shrift he is given is short and my continued possession of said present even shorter! Idiot status continues unimpaired. Although in my defence I didn't actually accept the flowers as much as have them laid on my camera.
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