Well, that was a rough departure.  But once we got a new functional airplane, everything was fine.

First day in Rome was lots of business and walking-getting the train tickets validated and trying to set up my cell phone (it’s not working).  For tourist things, first was a trip to St. Paul’s outside the walls.  Then a quick walk around the Colliseum, Pantheon,  various Piazzas and centers of governmentm.

One major thing on the agenda was a stop at Giolliti Gelato.  Which actually seriously has the best gelato ever.  Getting your gelato is a process – first you wait in one line for a ticket, then you join a large crowd trying to get noticed by the ice cream scooper.  I got Pistacchio ( which is apparently pronounced pis-taKKeo, with a hard K) and Fior di Panna (which is basically cream flavored).  All this of course with panna montata (whipped cream) on top.

Then dinner at 9pm.  We sat between a group of Germans and a group of Italians.  At 6pm, alll the restaurants were full of Americans, but at 9 were full of Europeans.  We ate at a restaurant on a quiet square, called Le Cave di St. Ignazio, Santorini.  So good. First, a comp plate of suppli (lightly fried rice balls filled with mozzarella) and bruscetta.  We ordered the antipasti plate, with amazing vegetables, mushrooms, meatballs, and the best fresh mozzarella I’ve ever had.  A bottle of wine and sparkling water also.  For the main course I had a plain pizza margherita.  Ahh.  Then a walk to the trevi fountain at night and then getting a little lost  and finally finding the hotel.  Now 30 hours since I got to Newark airport with maybe and hour of sleep so it’s time fir bed.

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