Rome: 
Day One
Wednesday, September 23, 2015 

We took a taxi to our apartment from the Flumicino Airport for a flat rate of 60 Euro. Watch for unscrupulous drivers trying to charge more. Other options include taking the train, but with all the luggage and our level of fatigue, a taxi seemed simpler.

As our cab pulled up to the apartment, we were met at the door by Giogio, a friend of the owner's (who was in Brussels.) Impeccable timing, as I wasn't quite sure what we were going to do if no one had been there. He gave us the keys, some brief directions to orientate us, and said we could contact him with any questions.

The apartment at #92 Via Tasso was lovely, the pictures online were very accurate. Beautiful high ceilings, comfortable beds, and hot showers, couldn't ask for more. Well, maybe a dryer. During our search for accommodations, we discovered that all the apartments had washers, but none had dryers. A drying rack is included in most places. Our apartment had a clothesline strung against the side of the wall, just outside the kitchen window, six stories up. Wouldn't do to drop your unmentionables while hanging them to dry. It would be a long hike down to retrieve them.

The washers are slow, up to one and a half hours for one load. I can't imagine being a busy young  mother with two or more children, working and trying to keep up with the copious amount of dirty laundry all children seem to produce.

I recommend packing light, quick to dry items, otherwise you may have moved on to your next location before your jeans are dry.

The only down side to our location on the sixth floor, (the view was outstanding) was the very tiny, ancient, and bizarre elevator. Only three people, or one person and two suitcases, could be stuffed in at one time.

In a word, terrifying. I hate elevators. The 6th floor doesn't seem too far, but after walking for 8 hours I may succumb and climb in.

We spent most of our first day trying unsuccessfully to stay awake until at least 8:00 pm. I made it until 7:00 pm, everyone else crashed at 4:00. When I woke I was alone, Pat, Peter and Tim had headed out in search of food.

Ubiquitous coffee shops and pizzerias abound. We stumbled on one fantastic little spot only a block from our apartment. Absolutely fantastic pasta, so simple but perfectly cooked, freshly baked pizza,   pollo, insalata mista, e patata. Five euro for each, the best deal we found. It pays to check out more than one ristorante  before you decide. If you're on a budget, that is.

Back to bed by 10:30pm. Left the windows wide open, heavy rains and an excellent, cool breeze made sleeping wonderful, and the air-conditioning unnecessary. So far so good. didn't use the fan once today.