From the Rome Airport to Pizzo

We arrived in Rome at the Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino (FCO) Airport 9:56 a.m.  We followed the signs that said uscita (exit) to Passport Control, which was the easiest process I've encountered yet for entering a country  You scan your passport (hardest part is deciding which way to orient it), then a gate opens, you step in and wait for your photo to be taken, and if all is OK, another gate is opened and you walk through to a live person who stamps your passport with your visa.

That was seriously awesome.

Next, we went to baggage claim and picked up Patty's luggage.  Then we followed the uscita signs again and entered the arrival hall of Terminal 1.  That was crazy!  Loads of shops and food places and people greeting folks with signs.  I was looking for the TIM cell phone store to pick up my SIM card.  We found it pretty quickly and I got my phone switched over to Italian data.  For some reason the phone and chat feature never kicked in.  But Whatsapp works so all is good.

Next assignment was to find the train from FCO to the main train station in Rome, Roma Termini.  Turns out it was right outside Terminal 1, down an escalator, up an escalator, etc.  The train was 14 euros and was called the Leonardo Express.  We bought our tickets, got our tickets validated at a machine on the platform, got on the train, and it departed at 11:23 a.m. exactly when it was scheduled to leave. 

Once on the train, a train agent comes around and checks your ticket.  I think these train agents are somewhat polizia also, but I couldn't quite figure it out.  There were several announcements over the loudspeaker in regard to basically don't mess with them.

At Roma Termini, we had a couple hours before our train to La Mezia Terme so we decided to go eat.  There was a nice restaurant where we sat down  and I ordered a big salad with tuna.  First interesting tidbit about Italian restaurants.  They only serve oil and vinegar salad dressing.  Patty had a burger.

I also ordered a coffee.  The waitress asked Americano or Italian, and of course wanting to be "with it," I ordered Italian.  That was a bit of a surprise.  She said do you want it now or after the meal and I said now.  Of course, I hadn't slept all night, and I needed a great big cup of java.

Hmmm.  Second interesting thing. You may not be able to tell from this photo, but the cup is about the size of a shot glass.  Welcome to espresso.

All was delicious and we enjoyed our meal.  We also experienced the third interesting thing about eating at an Italian restaurant.They don't bring you your check.  You have to ask for it (il conto).  (That took us eating out 3 times to figure out.)  Quote from a Rick Steves forum on the topic:  "They think it is rude to bring you the check until you signal that you are ready for it. One of those cultural differences. Here in the US they want you to pay and get out as soon as possible so they can get another tipping customer at the table."

After we paid the bill, we went down to the train platform.  You watch this big electronic screen for your train number and it will tell which of the many platforms you go to to get on.

Our train was FrecciaBianca 8869 leaving at 13:56.  Earlier in the day it had said Platform 22, but after we ate, that gate number was no longer listed on the board.  NO gate number was listed. Eventually Eagle-Eye Patty spotted it as Platform 11.  We went to Platform 11 and walked 9 carriages down to Carriage 1, where we had reserved seats.

We got on and waited till our departure time of 13:56 (1:56 p.m.).  The train left exactly on time and we were off.  The seats were comfortable.  We had a little table between us.  We were able to fall asleep for awhile, visit, and just stare out the window.

They kept announcing that there were refreshments on a carriage in the "middle" of the train, so eventually we walked down there and bought a bottle of water.  They serve water in the bottle and your choices are aqua naturale (regular water) and aqua gassata (sparkling water).  That too took us a couple days to figure out.  Their tap water is safe, but most Italians drink bottled water.

At 7:04 p.m. exactly, we arrived at La Mezia Terme (the train station nearest Pizzo).  We grabbed our bags and got off, to find out that there were no escalators or elevators, at least that we saw.  So I was dragging my suitcase down the stairs, when a nice young lady asked if she could help me.  I said yes and she brought my suitcase down.  Then she left and Patty and I realized we needed to climb up another set of stairs to get outside to meet our driver.  I don't know why that seemed so difficult, but we were tired from being up for so many hours and then I had configured my bag to roll, not to carry.  Oh well, we made it and we'll be prepared when we return home.

We were met at the train station by a man who didn't speak English but who had a nice big van.  He drove us to our hotel but because the streets are so narrow, he had to let us off and pointed to the hotel.  "Go that way!"  Patty laughed her a... off and I just kept looking for the hotel sign.

Then someone appeared out of nowhere like an angel in the night and said "Signorina Lombardi?" I was like, "How did you know?!!" He was like, "From the taxi driver."  That was our new friend Gustavo who along with another hotel employee, Salvatore, welcomed us, got us registered, took our bags to our adjoining building where we have a "junior suite."


I'll share some photos of our suite in a later post, but here is what greeted us:

It's wine, biscotti, a corkscrew, and a welcome note from Cherrye, our trip planner from My Bella Vita travel.  So sweet.

http://mybellavita.com/the-first-and-the-best/
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Gustavo recommended a nearby restaurant, which is very close at the town square or piazza. He made a reservation for 8:30 p.m. at at Il Cappero Rosso.  We thought we were so late because it was empty, but within 30 minutes, it was packed.  Turns out we were early. Fourth interesting thing about Italian dining.  They eat the supper meal late.

While we sat outside in a clear plastic tent (because it had been raining for days before we arrived), we watched the locals finish up their evening stroll.

I had pizza and Patty had a seafood platter, which was a little exotic.  It was very fresh!  Shrimp looks different when you meet it before it's been peeled and devined and has just arrived directly from the sea. :)

Here's what we've learned about the Italian menu.There are several sections, but you are not obliged to eat from every one: Appertivo (appetizer); primo (non meat dishes); secondo (meats and fish); insalata (salad); formaggi e fruta (cheese and fruit); dolce (sweets),  digestivo con caffee.  Yes coffee is served at the end of the meal.  Evidently the Italians don't mix their courses all on one plate like we Americanos.  If we ordered from more than one course, they always asked us, "Do you want this all at once?  Or do you want your coffee last?"  We didn't first understand why.

I also read on several blogs to only order wine or water, not soda or beer (except with pizza).

I may have to turn into a wine drinker for a week.

Red beer with pizza

After eating and getting our check, we walked home and fell immediately asleep.