Elif+Diary+Entries

Diary entries

1.Here I am in Rome!The hotel staff recommended a local rental agency for scooters.The owner of Scooters for Rent,Bruno Zarlenga, was polite,easy-going and clearly explained the rental situation and the no-go areas in the city.I rented a Vespa LX125 at 62 Euro a day($105).With the rental details out of the way it was time to hit the Roman roads.The first thing I did was ride into the Piazza Barberini to get accustomed to the way Rome's scooter riders lane split and do a few laps of the fountain for good measure(they ride in the right lane).Once on to the Viale di Trastevere,it's a few blocks from the river before turning right into the many lanes and small roads that make up the area called Trastevere.It doesn't take long before you head into Santa Maria and its numerous cafes as well as what is believed to be the oldest Christian sight in Rome.The Santa Maria Church is filled with incredible mosaics and ornate decorations,and even has the occasional service in Latin for those truly not wanting to understand what's going on around them.For me,this part of Rome was appealing for its many bars,cafes and restaurants.It's a part of the city where it's very open with lots of students,making it easy to meet people and get a feel for what it might be like to live in the city.

2.From Trastevere,I headed across the river again,past the Isolina Tiberina to the area known as the Capitol.It's then a short ride up the Via Dei Fori Imperiali to the Colesseum.As you ride along it's the full Roman experience,this is why I was here.The striking remains of the ancient Roman Forum are on your right,and more are starting to appear on your right.From the Colosseum I headed back from where I came,finding the beautiful,Palazzo Venezzia,on the Piazza of the same name.A nosy,yet kind local explained that it was thought to be the first reneissance building in Rome and that it was where Mussolini addressed crowds during the fascist period.Heading down the Via Del Corso to view the other sights,I was stopped by a madly gesturing traffic cop.The traffic there was closed off,so Ihad to take the left on to Corso Vittorio Emanuele II and head down to the Piazzo Campo De'Fiori for the open-air market and flower stalls.The stall owner's are very polite,speak many languages and are used to dealing with tourists.

3.The next day,I went back to the Capitol following the previous routes I had taken the day before.Remembering that my last stop was Piazzo Campo De'Fiori,and riding only a few blocks up I discovered the famous Piazza Navona and the streets of contemporary fashion botiques that surround it.After gazing in the window-fronts of a few botiques,I soon realized that I couldn't afford anything.After the Piazza Navona its only it's only a jump away into the Piazza Della Rotonda and its impressive Pantheon.IT's free to go in and whilst marvelling at the beauty of the stonework and architecture I was amazed by the fact that It was still standing after 200 years.Did I mention that it was free,I knew that there would be a catch to it.There are roaming packs of tour guides who offer their services for 10 Euro and keep bugging you till you say yes.I just ran out of the place without looking back,10 Euro,I'd rather have 2 espressos at a class cafe thanks.I dropped into a fantastic delicatessen and picked up excellent variations on prosciutto crudo as well as heaps of different Italian cheeses.It made for a very tasty and cheap lunch for only 10 Euro,the owner even made me a complementary ristretto.