Finding your way in Rome, Capital of Italy

I logically surmised that three days in Rome only needed one day, or more accurately thirty minutes, of language lessons. It was all last minute planning. I was nearing the end of my first semester abroad in England. This was an attempt at balancing family life, university life and travel life. Mostly it was an attempt at having a life.

With a slight feeling of guilt, I'd left my flat mates behind to prepare for their examinations. I had my own work to finish up and decided to bring some of my readings along. Even beforehand I knew I wouldn't get much done, but it's always nice to think that you will. I went the student route courtesy of Ryanair and Hostelworld. I'd also left my sleeping bag in an effort to pack light. This meant spending the night scrunched up on some Stansted chair, not half bad considering that I'm on the smallish side.

I was feeling pretty carefree and confident in my newfound balancing act. Walking around Stansted at off-hours and watching it fill up with other weary travelers was a treat. I hadn't yet met anyone, but was beginning to wonder who else would be going my way. Then I decided it was a good time to catch up on my readings.

I didn't get very far, but it was enough for me to switch to sleep mode. I spent the rest of my sleep hours dozing off in the plane only to awaken red-eyed but alert at Ciampino. I had no clue what to expect and pulled out the directions I'd printed out from the Internet. Then I realized that exchanging to Euros before the flight would've been wise. Not to panic. Like sheep I just did what I saw everyone else do and got in line. I didn't know what was at the end of the line, but figured it had to be the next step after landing.

After much waiting I finally mustered up enough courage to ask a few people what the line was for. One woman was just as confused and red-eyed as I was, but an older couple told me it was a ticket line for a direct coach from the airport to the train station. Seeing as I had no Euros and wildly looking around to discover that the currency exchange was closed, I continued to wait in line. My student route included public transportation. What was I thinking just taking dollars and British pounds?

My only hope was that the booth man would take foreign currency. He did and my faith in other people's foresight was restored. My leaflet of Italian phrases was still unused at this point, but ready and waiting in my coat pocket.