I went to Rome yesterday as part of the extended holiday weekend here. The day after Easter is called Pasquetta which was and is a day to commemorate the day the angel met the women at the tomb of Christ to announce that he had risen from the dead. Although people use this day as an excuse to take a one day trip somewhere. Not wanting to hang around Napoli all day, I decided to take advantage of the free time and go to the Eternal City. I can see why people say most Romans dont live in the center of the city as much as in the past. It's overrun with tourists and what seemed to be mostly Americans and English speaking people!
This was my 4th time to Rome if I have kept track correctly. Perhaps the most reoccuring thought in my head was that I couldn't believe that my little apt here in Napoli is in the same country as all the wonders in Rome. With that said it was kinda nice to realize that I do in fact live in the same country as all those places and only 2 hours and 44€ round trip to get there. I must say, I prefer Napoli in the touristic sense simply because we dont get a ton of tourists like in the other Italian destinations like Rome, Florence, Pisa, Venice, Milano, etc etc. Also, unlike Rome, napoletani still live at the center of the town which is what gives my experience living here quite an authentic feel to it. Too many tourists wouldnt make me feel as if I am in Italy.
So what did I see yesterday. The Colosseum even though I had seen it last year, the vatican, St Peter's cathedral, the trevi fountain and ciro massimo which was once a race track for chariots. I had one interesting encounter with an Indian who was selling umbrellas. It began to rain and as I was getting drenched, I decided to buy one. I can't believe that he wanted 15€ for a .50 cent umbrella!! I got a little mad and I said, 15?! Something like that costs FIVE euros in Napoli, 3 on a dry day! He then said he wanted only 5 for the small one, but as a matter of principle I walked away even though he chased me a bit to haggle the price. Why do I never see Italians selling umbrellas?!
Rome, overall seems cleaner than Napoli and the subway is the way it should run. I think the most I waited for a train was 3-5 mins. I would consider living in Rome and if I ever have to leave Napoli, or get tired of it here, I would def take it into consideration. Ma tiferei ancora Il Napoli.....TIè!!! XD (i'd still root for Napoli!)
