Rome

  • Italy,  Rome,  TRAVEL/HOLIDAYS

    Catching a train in Rome

    When travelling, time management is very important. Every little detail has to be taken into account; the time you wake up, the time you take to bathe, the time to leave the hotel, transportation schedules and what not. Evi and I learned a precious lesson, we almost did not make it home last April. But we did; with lots of running and high determination to catch our train in time. Our train was scheduled to leave Rome for Bologna at 8.45am, and a few minutes before that we were still in a bus, caught in a traffic jam.

    Evi and I left our accommodation, located some 40 minutes from Rome city centre by train, around 7.00am despite 6.45am as planned, because we had to actually take some time to return the key set which comprises of the keys to gate, building, apartment and our room. The automatic gate can only be opened with the key, so we figured out a way. After opening the gate, Evi ran back to the apartment at 1st floor to keep the key while I stand in the way of the gate to keep it open.

    We then walked 10 minutes to the nearest Torrenova train station. We took the 7.15am train and journey from Torrenova Station to C Lodi Metro Station took about an hour as it stopped longer at every station during week days. We arrived at Piazza Lodi around 8.15am. From there we then had to take a bus before reaching Rome Main Station. We have 30 minutes to reach the station, but the bus was nowhere in sight. We tried to hail taxis, but no luck. The bus finally came around 8.30am. 15 minutes to catch our train. At this time, we were counting minutes and looking at the time as often as we could. We were panicking. To make matter worst, the traffic was at its peak; moving slowly as if time and speed had become distorted. We prayed hard in the bus. God knows we did.

    You see, our train from Rome Main Station to Bologna was scheduled to leave at 8.45am. We have to catch that train as we bought a Smart ticket for two persons for 34,90€. It was a good deal. If we miss the train, we might have to buy new tickets at more expensive rate.

    With my phone in hand, I searched for ticket from Rome to Bologna and found out that it cost about 60€ per person—with arrival time at Bologna at 3.00pm. Smart ticket was not available on that date. Taking the regional train was out of the option as it would reach later than 3.00pm. We knew then that by hook or by crook, we had to take our train because our flight to Kuala Lumpur was scheduled at 3.30pm. We had to be there on time, else we will get stuck in Rome with only 60€ in my pocket. Evi tried to withdraw some money a day earlier, but it was rejected. Something wrong with the withdrawal setting on the bank side, even though she had it activated for overseas withdrawal. Mine was good, but there was no money in it (haha!).

    With the money in my pocket combined with Evi’s money in the bank (if we were at all successful at withdrawing it), it was still not enough to cover new flight tickets, plus train tickets from Rome to Bologna to Gugliemo Airport, not to mention money for food. It’s not cheap. Asking money from family members was the last thing on our minds.

    Anyway, we reached the main station around 8.40am. We ran as fast as we could and were trembling as we reached the check-in gate, the platform and the train. 8.43am. Phew. That was close.

    When inside the train we panicked once again as we had not validate our ticket. We asked around and a man told us that we do not have to validate as our ticket has confirmed seats. Phew again.

    At 8.45am, the train made its way to Bologna with two women laughing their asses off (while still having trembling leftover), happy that they made it.

    catchingtrain

    italotreno

     

  • Italy,  mixed media,  Rome,  Travel illo

    Illustrato Schizzi di Italia V

    The visit to Piazza Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome, Lazio, Italia, opposite the B&B. Here’s a winged Italian permanent resident, not too sure whether it’s Andalusian or Blue Barred Holle Cropper. They are all pigeon to me, no matter what type. Haha, this reminds me of Colgate.

    Anyway, I stick a receipt of postcards that I bought opposite the piazza. 4 postcards for 2 Euros!

    pigeon

    Will draw the basilica next, well if I’m up to it, because the architecture is so great. Detailing might takes awhile.