Roma Termini

Time has flown by during the last little leg of our trip here in Roma. We are staying in a 15th century building- I would call it a palazzo but that hasnt been confirmed and it also makes it sound luxurious. Our little room is far from luxurious, but the location couldnt be better, steps away from Piazza Navona and within easy walking distance to the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Via Del Corso, St. Peters and all the other "free" spots in Roma.
However, we did not get here without incident. It was just about the only clear morning we saw in Cinque Terre the morning we left, yet our train to the main station where we were supposed to catch our 4 hour train to Rome, was 40 minutes late. I panicked knowing that this would make us late for our Rome train, which we reserved 1st class tickets for. Our experience at the station a couple of days before was not very good, and I panicked wondering what would happen when we tried to explain we missed our train because the Cinque Terre trains were running 40 minutes late. Poor Brad had to deal with me in panic mode, but was kind enough to grab me a caffe latte while we waited, which he kept calling a "latte cafe." After the latte cafe I was doing better but still a little upset.
Finally our train arrived and we positioned ourselves near the doors so we could make a run for it when we got to the station. Unfortunately, a very annoying Australian woman was also in the door area showing bewildered tourists photos of herself being courted by a middle aged italian on her ipad, explaining everything (in a high pitched voice) from her outfits, to the car the italian drove, to what an ipad was. We rolled eyes with a local and couldnt wait to get off the train.
Brad and I devised a plan that I would run off the train to get into the ticket line to switch our tickets, and he would manage the bags. When the train stopped, annoying australian asked Brad to help her with her bags, and I jumped over all of them and ran to the ticket line. Brad showed up about 5 minutes later and I explained the ticket lady was seeing about getting us on a later train. I looked around and noticed my bag wasnt there so I asked where it was. He gave me a terrified look, then looked around, then said, "I had it..... I took that ladys bags off, and...." and then ran off back to the train while I was in such shock and panic I cried without tears. The ticket lady came back and said we could get on the later train but wouldnt have seats, which only made things worse. I walked around like a psycho, shaking and all red, trying to find Brad. A lady came up to me and said she saw my bag on the train but wasnt sure who it belonged to. Brad was gone, my bag was gone, and I didnt know what to do. I made a mental note to be nice to Brad because I knew he would feel bad enough and it wouldnt help to give him a hard time. But I was still a total wreck.
Suddenly, he emerged from the subway, drenched in sweat and completely relieved looking, with my bag hanging off his shoulder. I didnt know what to do but dry cry some more and he told me to calm down, then bought me a fanta (my drink of choice on this trip). We ended up getting on the train and only had to move seats a couple of times, but got to stay in 1st class, yay!
Rome is better than I remembered, probably because of our room location. We saw St Peters today along with the Colosseo which was just as amazing as the first time. This is Brads favorite place next to Venice because of all the shopping and night life. We have been very lucky to not have to deal with con artists or pick pockets because we walk pretty much everywhere. We actually took the metro for the first time today and it was quite pleasant.
We cannot believe the trip has gone by so quickly and we fly home tomorrow!! It has been such a whirlwind. Thanks to everybody for reading. I will follow up with some photos here and on facebook when we return.
Ciao!!!!