Rome day two

 Today was a doing things day. TCB. I’ve run out of clean underwear and when in Rome, do laundry like a Roman. I tossed my clothes off at a laundromat in Trastevere and handled some other errands. First order of business way buying stamps. Every now and again I fire off a postcard or two and I had some that needed sending. I’d already attempted to buy stamps but fell victim to a tourist trap. There is a private post company that handles international mailings for unsuspecting tourists here. Their rates are reasonable but your letter may take months to arrive. I’ve since learned that you can go to a licensed tobacco shop and buy legit postage. I went to a licensed tobacco shop and bought more crappy stamps from a second company that has the same racket. At this point I threw in the towel, none of my letters are urgent. 

Once the wash stopped I grabbed breakfast over the tumble dry. A nice sandwich and coffee. I’m noticing that using what little Italian I’ve learned is keeping the price of most things more agreeable. Four euro for a coffee and sandwich ain’t bad at all. 

I folded my clothes and went for a shave. What it shave it was. Ten euro got me the best straight shave I’ve ever had. The most incredible part was the lack of prep. No hot towel, no massage. Just a brush full of cream and a sharp blade. Absolutely magic.

Someone I met invited me out tonight but made it clear that I was going to need something more elegant than my closet was currently able to cough up. As good excuse as any to take advantage of Black Friday deals on Campo de Fiori. One snazzy outfit later and I was all set. I met up with Carlos for a drink at a Scottish pub and we went Zuma. Japanese restaurant by day and club by night. Normally this isn’t the sort of place where two guys just pop in without women but a few well placed Euros and his contacts fixed that. Inside was the usual. Lip filler, shoes more expensive than my life, and Russians chain smoking on the patio. I was at the bar enjoying some extraordinarily pricey Toki sodas and people watching. A good night.

On the walk back we passed by The Pantheon and all of a sudden I understood it. Maybe it was the alcohol but I’d like to think the evening lighting and lack of people really set it off. This ancient relic was all mine to see and touch. No lines, no jostling, just me getting to know this pile of rocks. Turning a corner and seeing it again, even though I’d done the same days ago showed me the place as a whole new world. Absolutely incredible.

An ancient ruin and The Pantheon