We got mini-hustled

Left Sorrento just as the weather turned windy and rainy. Took a private driver and van to the train station in Naples. This station is where you actually experience all those crime stories you hear about travelling in big cities. We were warned by Patricia, our travel agent, to be careful...and Rick Steves too. We were just fine...except for this one little old man. He was wearing a °Goodwill° hand me down jacket from the train officials...the patch had been ripped off, just like we were about to be. Our first clue should have been his missing teeth....his English was good and he acted very official. Edie figured it out right away....Sabrina was looking out for the wild gypsy guy. The guys were watching over us, and being WAY too nice. The old guy did help us out...by getting us to the right train (which we could have done on our own) and reminding us to stamp our tickets (which Rick Steves told us about) and carrying our bags on the train (which we could also do)...Michael Neu was going to give him a 2 euro tip...Dave offered him 5 euro...and he would not leave until we gave him 10 euro. But at least he gave us a story to blog about.

Train ride was uneventful....got to Rome and it was sunny until we went out walking around the town. Dave and Edie were not as prepared as Michael and Sabrina....they left their rain coats and umbrellas at the hotel. Edie paid 5 euro for an umbrella from an illegal immigrant near the Trevi Fountain that fell apart before we got back to the hotel.

We had gelato, toured the Pantheon, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and some random church....plenty of shopping and a good dinner. Funny thing is that it was a place we had eaten at when we were here before.

It is a little different here from 4 years ago...definite Asian influence and they are out on the street trying to get us to eat at places that made us wait until 7 when they opened last time...now they are open all the time.

Just as we were walking back to the hotel....the thunder and lightening began in earnest....it is pouring now.

Tomorrow we visit the Pope.

Ciao!