Roman Holiday!

Rome... the Eternal City...

I've taken a week off from all the packing and moving preparation to spend a few days in one of the world's truly epic cities: Rome. Long before I decided to move to Hong Kong, I agreed to lead a group of parents and students to the Eternal City for a few days of history, sightseeing and culture. 

While it was surely a great trip, it was full of headaches, and I left Rome far less in love with the city than when I arrived. On this trip, it seemed like every little thing became a hassle. The hotel did not include breakfast, it was located in an inconvenient neighborhood, no bank would change our money, Italians tried to add "special" charges to our bills, and one of our travelers was pick-pocketed. 

The worst part about Rome however, was the number of Americans. There had to be a million of them, and where ever we went, we found ourselves in a long line of our countrymen. It was disheartening, really, and it took away from the grandeur that is Rome. 

Regardless, all of the travelers had a great time. None had been to Rome before, so they didn't know that the city was far more intimate in the fall and the spring when the Americans stay home. 

I sure hope to return to Rome someday, but I won't be going back in the summer. I want the Colosseum and the Forum all to myself. At least I got a holiday away from packing, selling the house, and moving my life overseas.