Italy, Day 4 and 5

Day four saw the four of us split up. While Skinny and Lutz headed back to Castelfranco to meet up with Tim Collins from Astars and head over to the track for Friday’s opening ceremonies, Eileen and I took the train to Rome to take in the sights. When we first arrived, I immediately noticed that unlike Asolo and Venezia, Rome was kind of dirty. Lots of graffiti and the first signs of litter in the streets gave Rome a distinctly different feel than the places we had previously been. I saw this lady, sprawled out and begging, just outside the Coliseum. Man, in the States a “will work for food” cardboard sign is the norm. Here, the beggars go all out! Truth be told, as jey lagged and worn out as I am, I felt like laying down on the ground and taking a nap, too. I wonder if I would have woken up with some Euros thrown down beside me?

The Coliseum was pretty bad ass - definitely huge and awe inspiring. I tried to joke with Eileen and tell her that this was where Scott Goodwin held the first Superbowl of Motocross, but all I got was a disgusted look from her. Apparently, she is a lot more serious about taking in the historical sites than I am.

No, we don’t feel like tourists, snapping photos of each other, everywhere we go…

This sign was posted at the top of the Spanish Steps. I don’t know if you’ll be able to read all of the text, but one of the lines says, “Use of this area for defecating is prohibited.” Seeing as how there were lots people chillin’ on the steps - reading poetry, playing the guitar and singing, and just being all-around cool and bohemian - I could hardly imagine anyone dropping their shorts and pinching a loaf on the Spanish Stairs. After I read the sign, though, I must admit that I at least thought about it…

They have these green cookies everywhere in Italy, and they look horrifying, sort of like a fresh cow turd with corn studs. In actuality, they are pistachio flavored and studded with almonds. Of course, I bought one, just because it looked so gross.

…and of course, it was AMAZING! So far, I’ve had two. I swear that I’ve gained about five pounds since I’ve been in Italy. Pasta, pasta, pasta…

…and gelato, gelato, gelato! I don’t know why, but this stuff tastes 100 times better than regular ice cream in the States.

The gelato lady was a ham for the camera, but if Skinny and Lutz had been with us, I can guarantee that she would have been trying to be a bit more seductive…

Apparently, you must dress respectably to get into the Vatican. (Boy, was I glad that I didn’t wear my wife beater and bun huggers!) I just had a funny thought…half of the girls in the 909 probably couldn’t get in…

If I were a Vatican security guard, I wouldn’t have let this guy in, dressed like this, either!

The Trevi Fountain was pretty sweet. We could hear the sound of the water, about three blocks before we could even see it. You are supposed to throw three coins in, over your shoulder. I wished for Ross’ complete recovery.

I never understood why Smart cars were called smart cars until I saw one parked like this.

What the heck? I thought they only had squat pots in Japan? I guess compared to this toilet in the Vatican, it might be easier to lay some cable on the Spanish Steps…