banter. We slowly walked back after the
match, the end to another perfect day
in Rome.
Our third and final day we took at our
own pace. We took a hop on hop off bus
round a circuit of Rome taking in more
from a different view. It was hot up top
deck and reached 35 degrees that day.
We then got off the bus and headed
towards the Trevi Fountain stopping on
route at a few cafes, bought a few gifts
and paintings, we had this day to explore
the streets of Rome at our own pace.
Just before we hit the Trevi Fountain we
spotted a gelato parlour where I had
the most amazing pistachio ice cream
which was six euros! Alan had coconut
and banana, again six euros, but worth
every lick! We turned the corner and
again it was an OMG expression! The
Fontana di Trevi - or Trevi Fountain in
English. It is the largest baroque fountain
in the city and the most beautiful in the
world. The crowds gathered around the
fountain, we sat and took it in for a while
whilst trying to eat the ice cream before
it melted in the heat, then ventured down
to the fountain to get some pictures. A
traditional legend holds that if visitors
throw a coin into the fountain, they are
ensured a return to Rome. Of course we
did this!
After this we left to find the Vespa
Museum we had heard about, again
following the map and then gave in and
asked a policeman. The museum was
only small and located below a shop in
which you could rent out scooters, not
the vintage type we like, but the modern
day ones to save your feet around Rome.
We went down to the museum and even
though there were only 10 scooters
down there from various years, we were
happy to see something we both loved.
My partner has my old scooter, Vespa
Douglas 1959 which I kindly let him have
and which he got renovated last year,
and we noted that there was no 1959
scooter in that museum that year was
missing, he told the owner who looked at
the pictures of it and then tried to strike
a deal to get it over there, hmmmm I do
not think so!
On leaving the museum I was persuaded
to take a bicycle ride to the Spanish
Steps to save our feet, OMG I was
screaming like a child. We were not riding
it, we sat back and enjoyed the ride but
on those mad roads and the bumps and
speed I was like a kid on a fairground
ride. You’d think after years of riding a
scooter I’d be ok, but I was not in control
I guess. It was 20 euros well spent as the
Spanish Steps were further away than
we thought.
Upon arrival at the Spanish Steps it was
sadly cornered off and bein g cleaned so
we could not walk up them but managed
to get some pictures. We then headed off
back to the hotel slowly again stopping
at various cafes and bars on route. The
end to another day and our last evening
ahead of us.
This evening we chose to visit the back
streets of the Piazza we had spent the
last two nights in and stumbled upon
various bars full of locals, we stuck out a
bit ! We then found another Irish Bar and
then headed off for some dinner. Sadly
our last meal there was not great but you
always get one bad meal at some point
and this was the one. We headed back
to our hotel just gone midnight and that
was the end of our magical adventure.
Let me take you back to the beginning
of our holiday on the first night in Rome,
after we had stumbled upon the church
with the name I cannot remember and
the Irish Bar where we had drinks. This
part of the evening changed my whole
life as my other half Alan decided it
was time to make an honest woman
out of me and although I nearly missed
it, and had to reverse him back in his
conversation to repeat it, he asked me to
get engaged.
After the year I have had with loosing my
dad and having to deal with everything
that it threw at me, leaving me very
emotionally drained and sad, I now finally
felt happy and alive again! Of course
I agreed and said yes! We have since
chosen the ring and will enjoy the time
ahead of us.
We do intend to go back again next year
and stay for longer and not when it is so
hot. There is so much to see and take in,
Rome is a breath-taking city, and it holds
so much history and has left us with
beautiful memories. My memory of Rome
will not only be for its beauty, history,
food, wine, scooters and geleto! But
for this memory that has made my life
complete! Amo Roma! I love Rome.
Karin Lynn
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