"ANOTHER DAY IN ROME" a Rome Travel Page by dongix

Rome is special for me because it's the first European city that I've set foot on. I will never forget seeing the manicured looking trees looking like giant broccolis at the Fiumicino Airport as the plane touched down or the feel of the cool light breeze that greeted us as we got off and approached the terminal - something of a relief for someone who presently lives in the Middle East where the temperature rises to more than 40 degrees Celsius during Summer.

But unlike others, I didn’t fall head over heels right away with our first glimpse of the city. Probably because we were so tired from the travel with lack of sleep the night before. Probably because the Termini and the surrounding streets didn't look so pleasing or maybe because the taxi driver had ripped us off on our way to the hotel.

But the following day was a different story - a love story that is. After regaining our strength (and excitement) after a good night's sleep, our first stop was St Peter's Square and the Basilica. But first, lesson number one - how to use the Metro. There is something quite satisfying about being able to successfully figure out how the Rome Metro works - buying a ticket, trying to determine which line to take, validating the ticket, moving very fast and brushing elbows with the locals and finally emerging in a different place. (Yes, it's a big deal for us because in the place where we presently live in, the metro system is still under construction).

"Ottaviano" so says the sign. And as I ascended from the underground railway I saw Rome as it was described, and then some more.

For me, the more you see of the city, the more you will fall in love with it. Every street corner and every bend, you're in for a treat. From the very modest to the grand, from the ancient to the latest, Rome offers you all.