I like to travel fairly frequently. And when I do travel I like to plan and organise most things before I leave. But doing this I also know that I always have to suspect the unexpected. And today.... I wasn't prepared at all to what was about to happen to me. Today started off like any other normal day on the road. I had breakfast, repacked my suitcase and walked down to where the speed boat was to pick me up.
I got down to the jetty 20mins early just to be on the safe side. I didn't have to wait to long as the speedboat arrived 15mins early to pick me up. I got in the boat and he drove around to a few other locations to pick other people up. We spent about 30mins waiting and picking others up until we were on our way to the airport. It didn't take long to get to the airport boat terminal. Roughly 30 or so minutes. But they only have a few boats parking spots so we had to wait in the bay for about 15mins until there was a spot free. Finally when we got off the boat we walked into the airport at about 10:30am. My flight was due to leave at 12:20pm. I found the que to get my ticket and it no joke took me roughly an hour to check in. And I arrived to the airport early. I would of hated to think what it would of been like if I arrived late.
After checking in it took me 30mins to get through customs and I arrived with about 5mims to spare until the plane boarded. I was stressing a bit going through customs that I was going to miss my plane.
I was seated in the last isle in the middle of two people. And trendy Italian where D&G a and a older business man from Ohio. I spent the short flight chating to this man about his businesses and America.
We landed at the airport on time and I went to collect my bag and it never came. A few other people and myself waited 30mins for the bags and they never showed. I was ropable and I couldn't believe it. When we were waiting a few of us were joking that "someone has to be last to get their bags". I just didn't think that they were going to lose our bags. I then waited 20mins in line at customer services office to put in a report that my bag was missing. They gave me a claim number and sent me on my way. I was sure that my transfer car would of left by now but I walked to the spot that they had told me to met them. I couldn't find them so I asked at a counter if they could ring the company and they said that they couldn't. Fuming I was about to walk out of the airport when this lady asked me who I was waiting for and grabbed the piece of paper out of my hand. She was the transfer driver. She directed me with this other Americana guy to where the car would take us into town.
With no bag, no phone charger all clothes I got into the car. The American guy offered me his portable charger for the car ride to our hotel and said that if I wasn't doing anything today that he would be happy to hang out and explore together.
Once I arrived at the hotel I realised I was starving and decided to get some gluten free pasta.
Scott the American text me via viber after lunch and we met up at the Trevi fountain. When we got to the fountain we realised that it was under construction.
If I hadn't had seen the fountain before I would of been fuming. We continued to walk along exploring and we came to the realisation that everything was under construction. The Spanish steps, the collesum, most places in Rome where covered in scaffolding. I parted ways with Scott.
After wandering around I realised that I might not get my suit case back any time soon so I headed to the shops. I brought the bare essentials. Underwear, a skirt and a shirt, deodorant, tooth brush and tooh paste. Hoping and praying that I would get my luggage back.
Before I left for Europe people asked my why I wanted to go to Rome again. I love Rome. I had the best experience the first time I went I had to go back. The ancient ruins, the pasta and the pizza. Did I mention the food! The pasta is just so different to back in Australia. It's hard to describe unless you have tasted it, it is just amazing.
I got back to my hotel and asked the man at reception which restaurants he recommends and that bell hop walked me up to the restaurant. They must get some kind of commission or kick back from doing that. It was good though. I stayed in the hotel Angloe Americano in Rome. It was really nice, new and centrally located. Although the wifi isn't free it was a really lovely hotel.
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