FROM CIVITAVECCHIA

December 2, 2016


Well, as I told you in a brief email yesterday we made it to our flat in Piazza Calamatta safe and sound, and without a lot of stress.

Raise your hand if you’ve heard any of this.

Before we left 233, I asked Ernesto, our landlord, to give me instructions for securing train tickets to get from the Rome airport to here.  Based on what he said I did some internet research and had a plan ready.  When I went to buy the tickets, the agent told me I had picked the long way and the expensive way.  He directed us to another window and for 11 euros and a change of trains we arrived in the Big C.  If you are keeping notes, from the airport, take any train on Platform 3 to Roma Trastevere (count 7 stops – those of you who have traveled in Russia with me remember counting stops to Red Square from the Ismailova and back – it’s just another foreign language, but the same fingers).  At Roma Trastevere pick any train on Platform 2 and get off at Civitavecchia.  I don’t know how many stops because there is a local and an express – we were on the express, so fewer stops.

When we were changing platforms and trains a young man came to our rescue, helping throw our 50 pound suitcases on board, extend a hand to each of us while keeping the doors open, and off we went.  I gave him a generous tip.  He seemed surprised to get anything, but we were grateful for his help.

Once in Civitavecchia I inquired as to which bus came to our Piazza and was told, not this one, but the one on the other side of the street.  Over there, the driver told us he would leave in 2 minutes, after he finished his cigarette, and to get on.  He stopped in front of our apartment, an unscheduled stop, and I gave him 5 euros.  We were grateful, and he was appreciative.

I may have referred to the above incidents as offering a bribe.  I read somewhere that the accuracy of the details is not as important as making the story one’s own.  And that is my story and I’m sticking to it,

We ate at McDonald’s, returned home to welcome two men to get the hot-water heater running for bodily cleanliness and the furnace, and then crashed.  Bonnie went to sleep while the workmen were here, and as soon as they left, I joined her.  We slept 12 hours.  Fantastic!

There is a little café just across the piazza and we went there for breakfast.  Actually there are cafes everywhere, as well as restorani’s, pizzerias, and other places selling groceries.  Bonnie got an orange juice, I got an espresso and we shared a cream filled croissant.  The owner added some pieces of chocolate and cookies to our order and we ate at a table outside, joining the locals in the custom.  After breakfast I asked him where he had purchased the chocolate.  If is almost as good as Kafe S’Molokom.  He told me which store he shopped and I bought one bar, unwrapped it after paying for it, took a big bite and went back in and bought 3 more.  When we came back by the café I gave him one as a thank you gift.

While we were out we found the dock and learned how to get to the ship.  We are to be onboard tomorrow between noon and 2 so we will set out on foot around 11, dragging and pushing our luggage to the spot where we can ride the free shuttles.

After giving the chocolate gift we struck out for the local markets.  There is quite an area where people sell all kinds of food stuffs, and we shopped through many – it was almost closing time (1 p.m.) so we missed many.  Along the way we bought a bottle of water, a large emory board for smoothing heels, and a dozen olives (the man offered me a sample, it was fantastic, but I didn’t want to buy a kilogram so he sold me a dozen).  Bonnie stopped to buy one orange, and the lady gave it to her as a present.  One orange in exchange for one chocolate bar.  Insert smiley face.

We walked almost out to the train station, shopping in and out of stores, walking along the shores of the Mediterranean, and finally stopping for pizza.  It was great.  Thin crust, red sauce, mozzarella cheese, sausage, and red and yellow sweet peppers.  We ordered bottles of still water (as opposed to mineral, gassy, water) and enjoyed our feast.  Melissa was our young waitress, attractive, and attentive.  I asked Bonnie if we could bring her home with us, and she said, “No!”  I reminded her that on one of the trains she lost her balance and was swept up in the arms of tall, handsome Italian gentleman.  It was only fair.  She still said, “No!”  I guess there are different definitions of fair.

Bonnie tried to find an orange popcycle and settled for a green one.  It was peppermint.  I know it was green, but it was still peppermint.  She took a couple of bites and pronounced it nasty.  I allowed as how I would eat it, saving the money we had spent.  I took two bites and pronounced it nasty, and tossed it into a sidewalk trash can.  Saving money only goes so far.

Then back to the flat where we decided that we are in for the night.  There are a few snacks here and we will consume some of them before a few hands of cards and then retiring for the night.

Hopefully internet will be affordable on the Pacific Princess and I will see you at the blog from the Mediterranean.

Until then, TTFN!