The Beginning of the End

3/29/2009 12:30pm
Train to Napoli

Brent and I parted ways unceremoniously at the airport, after which I headed to the ticket counter to try to get a standby flight. The clerk seemed to think I was an idiot for waiting so long to change my flight. But who would have guessed I would hate Rome so much? In the end, I left the airport unsuccessful but with plenty of time to visit Pompei and book a hotel near the station.

On the way back to the Roma Termini station, I was presented with another opportunity to buy a Leonardo Express ticket. But after watching the machine steal half of the $40euros the man in front of me inserted, I just headed straight for the train, infuriated taht Italians could make the simplest things so difficult. Rome continued to plummet in my books. (Perhaps this statement alludes to a happy ending? No! Let me assure you: even now, 6,240 miles away and with a week to reflect on my experiences, I still detest Rome with a passion.

Thankfully no one checked our tickets. I am beginning to think the Leonardo Express is intend to be free... (Just imagine this brilliant idea: we can make the Leo Express free for Italian citizens by using the money tourists lose when they try to pay for their tickets!). The train to Napoli I am currently on has just stopped in a dark tunnel. No announcement has been made to explain this odd behavior. A fat Italian man snores so loudly that he wakes himself. The train tilts towad him and his wife, who is an even bigger ORCA. At last we continue.