An Extensive Day of Transfers
Since I won’t be able to have a shower for at least 24 hours, I stay away from 40 minutes of cycling with luggage, where half of it is steep uphill, and take the bus from Porto Venere ti La Spezia.
And after a communication struggle at the counter in the train station in La Spezia, I ended up buying a 95 Euro compartment for only me. I under NO circumstances demand that people are bi-lingual, or speak english just because I have that as a second language. Still, there are times that I wonder if people enjoy giving others a challenge (politely put) in those situations where verbal communications is necessary. It’s all very fine that they don’t speak english in Italy, but is it really kind to make it obvious that the fact that I don’t speak Italian is only MY problem when I’m trying to buy a ticket? So, keep in mind that you need time if you’re going to buy something over the counter at a rail way station in Italy.
Via Rome
I apologize for this repeated mentioning of all this bicycle travelling, but Sally the bike is such an amazing blessing even though “she” is a bit of a burden while being in a bag. Having a few hours in-between trains it’s awesome to just lock my luggage at the station and off I go on a short, or full day of exploring. Not to mention the welcome exercise I get. In Rome they have a staffed luggage room at the station. With a long line, and full as I approach the counter in the afternoon.
The luggage room isn’t all that easy to find. It’s location is “in” the building, but on the long side of the building that runs along Via Gilotti.
Fortunately there is a private luggage room kind of across the street at Via Gilotti 127. Of course it was pretty full as well, and only accepted smaller bags like my 40 liter Fairview. Another, of many reasons to travel light. Mind you I’ve already sent TWO packages (2 x 40 Euro) home to Sweden… Plenty of room for improvement on my packing.
Bicycling in Rome
Always interesting to see how friendly a place is by it’s manors towards less protected road users. I don’t know what I had expected, but for sure I didn’t expect this friendly and caution. Regardless, always be very cautious. It also reduces ones stress when ones ambition is to be the friendliest and most co-operative bicyclists in town😊.
Train Stations in Rome -Pay Attention
When travelling, it’s a huge advantage to read not only the time and city, but also at what station your train connection is. I didn’t, so when I was leaving Milano for Rome I ended up in a lonely cafe listening to euro disco sipping coke, cause… I missed the train.
For you who are more used to train travelling it’s probably obvious that a large city has more than a main train station. By now, I know that as well 😊.
Since I was taking the night train from Rome, there was no room for missing the 95 Euro train, and I decided I’d hang out a few hours in the suburb of Tiburtina where my next train was leaving from. I explored the hoods, and I don’t think I need to give another praise to my bicycle yet another time, but I will 😊. The liberty, as well as seeing the every day life in the suburbs of Rome. Laundry hung to dry, kids at playgrounds and the teenagers getting together at secluded benches.
Night Trains -Travelling Luxury
I mentally always enjoy any kind of sleeping coupe, since I find sitting down one full day is the uttermost waste of a day. This time I’m going to enjoy this spartan “bed” even more due to the hassle at the counter when buying the ticket 😅.
