The Road To Rome

It was difficult packing to leave the Tuscan area as I have fallen for the simplicity, the beauty, the food, and the people of this area. We have barely covered any ground and there is still so much to explore and enjoy. However, no complaints as our driver picks us up for our journey to Rome.

Our only stop along the way is to the town of Orvieto. We had three hours to wander the streets of the town, grab some lunch, and a Gelato. Orvieto sits atop a high hill with commanding views of the valleys in every direction. During World War II the Germans kicked all the inhabitants out and turned it into a military base. Fortunately they fled before the allies attacked and the city was spared.

Reminded me of one of the pirates in Pirates of the Caribbean ride. He was watching the young ladies at the Trattoria directly below.

Saw yet another wedding.

The views were all incredible. It was heavily overcast and smelled like rain was coming.

The doors to the church, as we have seen in most churches are amazingly large. This is the first time I have been able to get next to one for a photo to show the size. Considering the average size of a man in the 1400's was around a foot shorter than me, the scale of these churches is extraordinary.

Even the streets in front were inlaid rock designs.

As we turned south to head to room, the weather front came in and the downpour began.

When at last we reached the Marriott in Rome, we were tired, had suitcases full of dirty clothes, and needed a drink. So we set our priorities... Laundry, Drink, and sleep. One of the Features of the Marriott I had seen online before booking was Laundry On Site which I had interpreted as do it yourself machines. We planned on only bringing clothes to get us to Rome and then doing our laundry. 

Once in the room, there was only the usual laundry bag with the checkoff list for what is to be laundered along with the quantity and cost per item. So.... Let me see.... Shirt $10, pantalone $13, underwear $4.50,.... At this rate it will be $500 euro or more to do our laundry. Not Gonna Happen!

So Joan asked the concierge for the closest do it yourself laundry mat. He gave her a flyer and said it was a ten minute cab ride away. It was a combo Self serve laundry with wifi. What a deal. Joan could do our laundry and I could catch up on the Blog and Email. So back to the room where we unloaded the remaining clean clothes and stuffed my suitcase with dirty clothes. Went down to the hotel portico and had the doorman call us a cab. We loaded us and the suitcase into the cab for a short $18 euro ride through the pouring rain to this tiny street to an address with blue electric neon sign that glowed INTRANET/WIFI. We got out and I grabbed the suitcase, the cab took off and Joan and I looked at each other and wondered where the laundry was. 

So we got out of the rain and entered into this small shop that had a booth on the right side with an older time worn gentleman who was missing more of his teeth than he had remaining. In the back to the right were several desks with old PC's that could be used to access the internet. On the left side with a wall dividing the two areas were 2 small washing machines and 2 small dryers and a little women ho looked tired. 

The man cam around his booth and greeted us with a big smile and asked in very good Italian English if he could help? Joan said "laundry?"  and he said "Si". We both breathed a sigh of relief. Without asking how much, and figuring we had to do it ourselves (ok..... I never do laundry so it is really Joan) she started to open the suitcase. Out of nowhere he provides baskets, first one, then two until he gets to four. With each basket his smile gets bigger. Joan separates and loads the four baskets with our clothes taking some and putting them back in the suitcase as they need dry cleaning. 

He says ok , each basket $6 euro to wash, and $6 euro to dry. After the shock of the Marriott facility, this was a no brainer and they did the labor. She said great how long so we know when to come back. He said "why come back? For $5 euro, i will deliver. Why you no call me and I pick up? Why you take cab?" This was all to good to be true. He was delightful and he met our need and we were ready to relax. We started for the door with the big rolling suitcase and he said wait, he bringa the suitcase too.

We smiled and with Joan little umbrella decided to walk back to the hotel as the cab ride had been so short and I was sure I could find our way back. The streets of Rome at night, with a lite drizzling rain, and the street lamps all glowing a soft yellow, surround by architecture of ancient times was romantic. We strolled and passed  many street side cafe's, bakeries, shoe stores, until we got to the American Embassy which is just down the street from our hotel. Back inside we enjoyed a Tanguary and Tonic and we able to watch the early Sunday Football games on Fox sports. We went back out for a quick bite and when we got back to our room, there was our clean and folded laundry all in my suitcase. Thank You INTERNET/WIFI Laundry!!!!