I've arrived!!

So I arrived in Rome late last night and it was sooooooo hot! I had forgotten how hot it is here in late summer. The taxi drive from the airport with the windows down, you could smell the dry grass and the late evening heat, which you can only get in the Mediterranean.

I met Fabio, my gracious landlord for the next month and we did the standard key swap awkward conversation. Once he had gone I could get my bearings. Great apartment with everything that I need - especially air conditioning!

It was time for food. Not wanting to get on a bus mid evening in a city where I had never used the buses before, I opted to walk to the Trastevere district as I knew the area and it was a pretty simple walk..... a bloody long one though!!! An hour later I arrived weary in the Trastevere, thank god for Romes water fountains that's all I can say. Its so difficult to gauge how far it is on a map. Well it was around 3km I later found out when the taxi driver punched the address into the sat nav!!! Having said that, its great being able to see whats in your neighbourhood. I now know that I only need to walk 100 metres to get gelato, pizza or a Chinese! There are several little bars around open until late. These serve the American students as there is a large American University near by.

Now I was here, I settled at a wonderful restaurant I have been to several times before. It holds some great memories for me and also the food is good and cheap! I ordered the prosciutto and melone, and then spaghetti e pepe. I also ordered some nice house white wine. Personally I think I deserved it after that walk!!

The area was more alive than I had ever seen. The first time I visited here was in January 2013. A lot of places were closed as it was out of season, but coming back in the May and seeing it bustling, I fell in love. Loud street sellers with the scarves, jewellery or lavender scented products... There are so many people, restaurants, gelaterias.... Its a perfect place to people watch and get lost in the magic of Rome.

With dinner done it was back to the apartment to collapse after a long days travel. I have to say - I slept very very well last night.

So this morning was organisation stations. Suitcase unpacked and put away, clothes sorted and shower negotiated. Next on the agenda was food....

Opposite my apartment luckily is a supermarket. Wow... what an experience. Doing a food shop in a different country is not something I have ever done before. My fridge is now stocked with fruit and veg and of course wine (Coop's finest at 1.49 euro a litre!). Lunch has been enjoyed, a humble plate of mortadella, salami, mozzarella, tomatoes and bread.

And now for the rest of the day... I am about to pack up some food and water and then am to embark on walking the Gianicolo Hill. Its something I have always wanted to do as the views are said to be the best in Rome. We shall find out!!!

Ciao!!!