Jaunted

I should have done this before I left: Studied more Italian; mastered the art of living without water, desert animal style. Between these two it's pretty much a toss-up. The Italian would have been more immediately helpful, but I had to fight the temptation to buy bottled water everywhere after my first exposure to a Roman public restroom. Am I overwhelmed by the beauty of this cathedral, or is it just advanced dehydration?

I wouldn't do this again: Go as late in the spring. The low-70s temperatures were delightful, but not so much the pollen count, which I could have found out if I had bothered to look up any weather information (full disclosure!). I'm thinking early April would have been better, and possibly lighter on the crowds as well.

I didn't really miss: Shopping the Italian arcades. I can always go to the Gucci store on 5th Avenue if I feel lonesome.

Unhelpful hall of fame: I really only had one negative customer-service experience the entire time I was in Rome. Unfortunately, it was the last day. The staff at Fiumicino Airport all spoke English, but that didn't make them any less openly hostile, from not being able to tell me where the international terminal was, to forcing me to wait inside for a shuttle to said terminal for no apparent reason. It was early and I was a little punchy, but guys, I don't want to leave either, so can we please get through this?

Next time I hope I'll dare to: Ride in a Vespa -- okay, maybe it'll have to be a SmartCar, but Audrey Hepburn made it look like the only way to see the city! And I "only" saw one crash when I was there, at such low speed that neither scooter even toppled over.

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