Who is Gerardo Perez?
On the 122nd day, May 8th, a Thursday, I must have had a restful sleep because I remained blissfully unaware during the entire journey, despite its bumpy nature. Awakening only upon our arrival, I found myself in a sprinkle of rain as I made my way to the train station. Fortunately, the station was open, providing refuge. However, the train to Rome displayed a 25-minute delay, a mere hiccup in my plans. As time passed, the delay extended to 30 minutes, then 35. Finally, the train arrived, and not wanting to disturb the slumbering passengers in their cabins, I opted to sit in the aisle.
Upon reaching Rome, my immediate quest was to find a Wi-Fi connection. Alas, nearby locations proved fruitless, leading me to a local café/restaurant. There, I ordered a croissant and a banana juice, mainly for the privilege of using their Wi-Fi. Hostel hunting ensued, with a promising find near the Trastevere neighborhood priced at $55. The journey to inspect it proved fruitless, as the place was full and the host eccentric.
Undeterred, I retraced my steps to the station and revisited the café for internet access. A new hostel was identified, booked, and I set off once more. The warm, sunny day accompanied me to the Bologna stop, though a wrong turn was quickly corrected. Arriving at the hostel, an unexpected delay awaited, with the lady at the front desk requesting patience until 2 pm. Finally settled, I ventured out, stopping by the supermarket for dinner supplies before returning to the hostel.
A three-day metro pass secured, I traveled to the Colosseum. Exiting the metro, I was greeted by the awe-inspiring Roman ruin, its grandeur undiminished by ongoing restoration. Circumnavigating, I documented my journey and decided to enter, encountering a familiar Asian couple from Venice. They kindly captured a moment for me.
Post-Colosseum, I meandered through the Forum entrance and a solitary road leading to a church. Navigating the main avenue, I reached the Monumento a Vitorio Emmanuel, marveling at ancient Roman ruins along the way. The monument's grandiosity was captured in photos, and after a daring street crossing, I proceeded to the Trevi Fountain.
Passing the Italian parliament building, I reached the fountain just in time for sunset, savoring the ambiance. Despite the toll on my feet, I pressed on to the Spanish Steps, passing by the Spanish embassy. Climbing the stairs, I captured the moment before descending to the metro, retracing my steps to the hostel.
En route, a pitstop at an ice cream store satisfied my craving. Back at the hostel, I indulged in bread and cheese in the communal area before retiring to my room with a coco yogurt. A chance encounter with a fellow traveler from Mexico added a pleasant twist to the day, concluding with a well-deserved rest.
-- Backpacking journal excerpt
