8/19 20 Walking in Rome

I go to Roma in the morning. As you know, it is famous for pickpockets.
I can update my diary about passing Alps at last. There are many internet cafe near the Stazione Centrale Roma. Last update was done in the campsite at the foot of the Alps, France side. After that I stayed on the top of mountain, and in Torino I could not update because of the robbers.

I decide the hotel after lunch. The single room near the station. There is nothing special to write about it. At first I want to stay dormitory which is introduced in the "Lonely Planet", but unfortunately that room was full.
I used this keen guidebook for searching a hotel some times, I could confirm what this book writes is right. The hotels evaluated well were very friendly even though there was no room available. Evaluated so-so were sure not so bad. I don't know about the place evaluated bad because I didn't go.
Single room, traveling alone. It is dull but easy.

It is hot in the summer of Rome. This hotness is not like Cote d'Azur, not like the Alps. It is kind of the hotness in Tokyo. It is still hot when the night comes. The wind is not fresh.
The differences between Roma and Tokyo are; Roman streets are covered not in asphalt but in the stone pavement Roma has many fountains here and there. But both of the two cities are noisy and dusty. Too many cars. I always complain when I am in a big city.

I am not interested in museum or famous touristy place. But it is nonsense to take a nap alone in the hotel room. Let's go to take a walk.
I am interested in the history of Roma, but I like reading the book about it better than watching old buildings. Now I want to feel the atmosphere of Roma. It seems nice to write the diary in the shade of a tree in a plaza with eating gelato.

Any town in France and Italy, or other countries in Europe, There are many open places to have a break. When I want to stop for checking a map, sneaking a snack, simply tiring, I can find a beautiful park easily.
There are also many drinking water supply. It is quiet cold, nice for washing water. Water is no charge though the peace is not.

One big problem is finding a toilet. There are few public toilets. If it is, It was often charge toilet. But it was better than nothing.
This is very big problem through the journey. The guidebook says many people use the toilet in a bar, but I want to use often when I ride the bicycle. I don't want to pay a cup of coffee every time. What shall I do? So usually I go to restraint not only for eating but also for toilet. I have time limit to search a restraint. When I was in trouble in Torino, I was in such a case. Walking in Roma, I can easily meet big open space with big shrine and obelisk. It is like meeting many temples walking in Kyoto. When the night comes, some of them are lighted up beautifully. I want take photos as a photographer in the darkness, but I have no words about it. No camera!
Roma is very famous city as you know, so I can't find new topic about Roma.

I don't know why but I dream I become actor. Although I am a beginner, I get quiet an important role. And the play is changed from my ad-lib. The outline may be the mice started to a journey to be free, and my roll is the mouse 6th or 7th. I get up just before the ending.
This is today's topic. A silent day.


I spent a time to walk around and buy souvenirs on 20th, the following day.
I update the diary of shocking in Torino in the morning. And I go to the Vatican by the subway. I don' t excite alone in this famous city for tourism, but I enjoy walking around, window shopping in souvenir shops, and eating gelato.

It is difficult in buying a souvenir although I don't have to buy for many people, the Japanese is a race of buying souvenir.
If I am in country area, it is easy. Usually only one choice I have,(but sometimes wonderful specialty) So I should buy it.
But now I am in Roma. It was the capital of the world, concentrating the wealth from everywhere, and it is still big city, not the village of shepherd. But Tokyo is also one of the biggest city.

There are many brand shops, but I don't know that value, and I think we can buy same thing in Tokyo. I should buy the specialties at place to place I went through, but it would make my loads heavy, I don't like it. Or if I did so, they would be stolen.
Key holders or something with the letter "Roma" are not so cool. So I want to buy more stylish things, but they have no relationship with my trip.

Then buying foods is always good choice. For drinkers, it's easy. Wine and cheese. For undinkers, more difficult, so usually chocolate is selected. Gelato must be best gift, if it did not melt..

In my shopping, the sculptured candle is nice I think. (Bought at The candle house, near the Parthenon) The other thing I bought are the Black Jack (Japanese manga, Italian version), the photo book which is not related to Italy (The Magnum Calcio), the pickles of an eggplant, the seasoning, etc. It took whole day to buy them.
Unlike my daily life, I bought too much. I already had enough memory, like black eye or camping goods I must buy again.

I will leave to Japan tomorrow.

(2004 8/19 20)