Wednesday 6 – Dubai to Rome

Dubai Airport

Up early in the morning to grab a quick breakfast at the hotel before being bussed back to the airport. A very hazy morning, presumably desert dust in the air. The airport “free internet” turned out to be not free, but at least I managed to charge the lappy for a bit. We were really hoping our small-numbered 9A & 9B seats meant we had managed that elusive business class upgrade. Onto the plane and great disappointment. This plane had a very small business and first class, and we were second row back in economy. Damn!

The flight was pretty standard. A few bumps here and there, but nothing unpleasant. With a few movies and the meals, the 5hrs50 went very quickly and we were soon into Rome Fiumicino airport. Through passport control very slowly – only New Zealand and Australia seem to be really efficient at getting people through. Malaysia, Dubai and Rome were all pathetic, with too few officers, and each transaction seems to take forever. We were going to take the express train in, but the shuttle bus was much cheaper, so we waited for that.

An hour’s trip into Termini Station where we wanted to be, and a semi-official accommodation tout soon had us in tow and into the streets just West of the station where we negotiated a (hopefully) decent price for our three nights here – Pensione di Rienzo in Via Amadeo at 170€. It’s always hard to know what is a good price. This street is full of pensiones and cheaper hotels. After we had settled in a bit, we went for an orientation walk. It’s a pleasure being back in Rome. The buildings are lovely, the streets generous, and the vistas amazing.

Yet again, we are surprised at how cheap Italy is. Milk is 1€ per litre in the local store, 500ml beer the same. You can get a 3-course dinner with bread, a drink and a coffee for 10€. We had a panini falafel for dinner at 3.5€ each, washed down with a shared 500ml beer (2€). How civilized to be able to sit down and have a beer or a wine in what is essentially a takeaway store.