15 January 2011 We arrived in about 1 and three quarter hours by fast train from Florence. Then to our apartment.
I have been worried about this as it has one bedroom and a fold out double bed in the lounge. I am supposed to have the bed room but I remain anxious. The apartment is in the suburb of Trastevere and is right near the markets. Lovely apartment and we meet the landlord who takes us up. The apartment has recently been renovated. It looks good. Clean open, windows looking out to the market, small kitchen, washing machine etc. We start to settle in. I realize there is insufficient cupboard space for our cloths but we can sort that out. Then we try the sofa bed. This is an "L" shaped lounge and you pull out the section under two cushions and arrange it to make a nice large bed. But it is broken. Jullian (the landlord) is called but cannot do anything until next week so we are expected to manage. This on top of the relocation etc has us all a bit stressed but we manage to get through it in one piece. From the lounge there is a view to St Peters dome.
Via Natale Del Grande, 27
Right now the B's are out walking and re-establishing themselves with Rome. Prior to this we did some shopping in the market and the little supermarket just down the street. The street is interesting with a range of nearly every shop you could want. We got fresh pasta, cheese, fresh fruit and vegetables and other basics like milk, cereal, wine etc.
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| The view from main bedroom of apartment |
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| The square where markets are held each morning |
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| The square with our apartment in right background. We are on top floor |
Already we have one load of washing on and another done so we are settling in. We are going out locally to dinner tonight and that should be good.
For the evening we walk through the local area. This location is known as the Trastevere and is very close to the city but in a small suburb that is just delightful. There are lots of little walking streets, squares, shops and as this is Saturday night the area is very busy. People everywhere. I really love the atmosphere of these small locations with the church, square and shops and homes, crowded parking and bikes, cars everywhere. We go to a small Pizza place that the B's have been to previously. They tell me it is very popular and that there are often people waiting in the street to get in. Fortunately we arrive before the rush and are admitted immediately and sit at a small table and order. They are right, the pizza is to die for. Best I have had. Will insert the name later as I do not have details with me at present. No rush to finish or move out but when we do there are at least 20 people outside waiting to get in. We return to our apartment and do more washing. Hard to believe there can be so much. Try and find an english speaking station on the TV but there is not one so we watch Italian Television and the replay of some ATP tournaments prior to the Australian Open. After some settling in and talking about the day, we retire and sleep well.
Our first full day in Rome - 16th January 2011 - The bed seems not an issue and the B's handywork seems to have made the bed ok for use but we are too scared to put it back as a sofa and we doubt we will get it back as a bed so well again.
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| The hallway of apartment. Front door behind me and door on left ahead enters the lounge |
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| The kitchen. Note the washing machine on right. |
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| The washing machine |
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| looking out of kitchen to the lounge |
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| The shower above and the vanity below |
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| The Lounge - come second bedroom |
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| The dining table in lounge |
We decide to go out and about and the B's have bought me a tram ticket for the week. This takes us to Largo Argentina and then we leave the tram and walk to some ruins right there in the centre of town. It appears that this area was being excavated for some other city improvements but has remained unfinished and being cleared for some years now. The area appears to be the site of 3 or 4 temples and seems to have become a bit of a cat sanctuary established despite the sign that no cats should be left here and if they are they will be desexed. I saw quite a few cats - none to the standard of Penny but nevertheless they looked pretty good and certainly not starving.
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| The tram stop |
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| Across the road from the tram stop |
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| The Roman ruins at Largo Argentina |
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| Roman Ruins - another view |
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| The ruins again |
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| The Il Jesu Church - I fell in love with this church - also left my camera there but recovered it within the hour |
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| Looking back to our street from the tram stop |
We then moved further along and visited a church Il Jesu. It is amazing - very Baroc. It even has a mirror set up so that you can look at the ceiling without toppling over. Lovely music and organ and the ceiling paintings seem to spill over the area for the painting until the figures cover the whole ceiling. It would be appropriate to say I fell in love with the grandure of this place. We had arrived at about 10am just before the mass and left shortly after that commenced. As I am waiting at the lights across the road I go to take a photo and realise I have left my camera in the church. We rush back but it is not there. As Mass has commenced we decide to come back after walking around a bit more and trying to find the Panthenon. We don't find it immediately but do find another church and some beautiful buildings that surround it. Unfortunately I cannot take any photos as I do not have my camera. Now we determine to return to the church and find out if the camera has been handed in. As you can expect we go through a range of feelings about possible theft in the church and that it isn't the end of everything if I have lost the camera as Brian has photos and I bought books etc. Despite this we are still concerned and we are hoping that at a Church people would have handed the camera in. Brian is first back and goes into the church and finds that people are honest, the camera has been handed in and all is well.
I decide to stay at the church for a bit as this has delayed our plans for the morning and I do not want to hold the B's up any longer. Then I realise that I have no money. I had withdrawn funds last night but left them in the coat I was wearing. So the B's give me some cash and are on their way. At this point I am feeling pretty rotten. I nearly loose my camera, I forget my money - could anything else go wrong? No, I leave the church and go in search of the Pantheon. I find it without too much trouble.
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| My first view of the Pantheon - from the back |
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| A close view from the back |
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| The other side as I continue to move around the building |
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| my first view of the columns from the side |
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| Something is on - the place is packed |
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| There is a celebration of a past King - I find out later. |
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| The crowd is large |
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| There is work happening on part of the front facade |
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| A view showing how close to the rest of Rome the Pantheon is |
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| Carriages out the front of the Pantheon |
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| At this point I have taken a seat in a small cafe and ordered wine, cheese and coca cola lite |
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| another view from my cafe spot |
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| across the square from the cafe |
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| another side view |
What amazes me is that these lovely monuments are right in the middle of life, the community and people's daily life. I arrive at the Pantheon and there is some type of ceremony on. No chance of getting into the Pantheon. It appears there has been some celebration for a past King and there are people in ceremonial dress, TV cameras and huge crowds. I decide to sit and wait for things to sort out and see if I can go and see inside a bit later. I find a lovely little restaurant where I can get some sun, watch the crowd and have something to eat.
http://www.hostariapantheon.com/ I choose the cheese board, red wine and coca cola light. Heaven. It was really nice to just watch the crowd pass by and finally after an enjoyable meal I have the opportunity to go inside. Despite the approval that photos can be taken, I just cannot. This is just beautiful. Fancy having this in your back or front yard. Amazing for the period 608AD - the beauty continues to leave me breathless.
After admiring this for some time I left the Panthenon and visited Piazza Navona. I admire this for some time then wander off and see a sign for the on - off bus. Buy a ticket and wander for ages to find the point the bus starts. I find it and get on. This tour is reduced due to it being a Sunday but nevertheless I managed to see quiet a lot of Rome. A very long day. Included in the tour is the Colosseum, passing the Forum, Circus Maximus, Largo Argentino - at this point they highlight that the ruins I visited earlier with the B's is likely the location of Ceasars' assassination. There appears to be a number of locations considered as the site of this assassination but regardless, it is great to see these locations and link them with the history you learn so long ago. We also drove to the Vatican and through Piazza Navona.
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| The fountain in Piazza Navona above and below |
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| Piazza Navona |
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| Part of the Church - Sant'Agnese in Agone |
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| Other angles of the same church up and down |
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The Vittorio Emanuele II Monument to commemorate Italian Unification
This is where I got on and off the bus |
Finally I go home and the B's are there. BJK makes a lovely snack for us to eat. Cheese, fresh bread, fruit and wine. What more could you want. Then we have fresh pasta for dinner followed by dessert of gelato and fresh fruit. Heaven. BJL and I wash up and then we see if we can find any English speaking TV again - still no luck. So it is early to bed again for me. Tomorrow I have plans to go to the Colosseum.
Monday 17th January - Big tour today which will include the Colosseum, Forum etc. As my knee is playing up terribly I intend to miss the Forum and Palatine Hill unless there is a significant improvement. The B's escort me to the starting point for the tour. I feel very special as they make sure I am there on time and safe. I little like my first day at school except I cannot remember that.
The group is all English speaking and we set off - I am slower than everyone else but regardless I keep up and love hearing the history around the Colosseum. Amazing to think I am standing here next to and later inside this historic building. We go inside and I take the lift - a concession to my knee. We move around and take lots of photo's and the Guide is extremely good, including us in the process etc. Keep seeing Russell Crowe as the Gladiator. Interesting to hear that even in that day the Gladiators had their female fans in the audience.
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| Looking up at the Colosseum from outside |
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| I am inside and looking at some of the original structure from the second level |
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| Another perspective looking north inside |
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| The central area of the Colosseum |
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| I cannot help it - more photos |
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| Looking from the Colosseum to the Forum |
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| Back in the Colosseum - I think these are the Senate seats |
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| On the southern side some of the outer rings had disappeared and this is our group looking out |
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| This is a part of the Colosseum that has been restructured as it would have appeared |
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| Another view - you can see the restructured section and Senate seats in left. I am standing where the Vestile Virgins would have been seated. |
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| Another view |
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| And another, I cannot stop taking photos |
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| Showing some of the levels in the Colosseum. Note the people and how small they are in relation to the rest of the facility |
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| Again, the size is outstanding |
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| The redeveloped section - check the size of the people in relation to the building |
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| and again |
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| more still |
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| The archways and some of the damage over time |
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| Inside the first ring at ground level |
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| Some of the original stone work |
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| More of the arches on the ground level |
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| Looking back along the ground level first ring |
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| An original plaque - The Colosseum's true name is Flavian Amphitheater |
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| The early entry points - note the numbers in roman numerals above each of the archways |
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| Looking up at the upper levels from outside |
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| The current entry for visitors - more is being done to protect this historic sight |
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| I took this photo from the starting point across the road |
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| And another from the start point |
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| Our group entering by the stairs to the second level |
Leaving the Colosseum we moved to the Arch of Constantine. This was built at the edge of the Forum by the Senate and the Roman people in memory of the victory of 312 over Maxentius at Ponte Milvio. Because it was built largely from poices from the arches of Trajan and Marcus Aurelius, and from other monuments, this are was derisively called a "cornacchia di Esopo" (Aesop's Magpie).
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| The Arch of Constatine |
I have added a range of other photos I took from in and around the Colosseum. I like them, hope you do too.
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| From across the road, the Palatine Hill with columns of the Forum |
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| The Arch of Constatine from across the road |
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| Another view of the Forum |
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| Arch of Constatine |
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| Looking from the Colosseum to the lower section of the Forum |
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| Another picture from the Colosseum |
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| Arch of Constatine |
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| Palatine Hill |
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| The Forum |
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| and again - check how small we look |
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| More of the Forum |
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| Another view from the Colosseum |
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| Some of the remains outside the Colosseum apparently the square foundations of travertine, which marked the spot where the Colossus of Nero stood. |
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| Another section of the Forum |
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| Palatine Hill |
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| Palatine Hill |
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| More of the Forum with the main road on the right side |
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| Forum |
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| Arch of Constatine |
At this point I left the tour and wandered outside for a bit but then cam across this young man with a bike and a carriage at the back. For 30 Euro he would take me around the other sites of Rome.
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| My tour guide from the Forum |
I accepted this offer and he then pedelled me around Rome. He stopped at each location so I could get out and take photos etc. He gave me some explanation of things but I knew he wasn't too exact when he told me the four rivers represented by the fountain in Piazza Navona included the Mississippi. In fact the Fountain, known as the Fountain of the Four Rivers are Nile, Ganges, Danube and Rio de la Plata.
We cycled around there and to the Fountain Trevi, Pathenon, Piazza del Popolo and back to the Spanish Steps. He took the opportunity also to show me a number of streets for artists and exclusive shopping areas. Way out of my league. Anyway, he was very personable and I enjoyed the ride.
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| Trevi Fountain |
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| Trevi Fountain |
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| Trevi Fountain |
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| Trevi Fountain |
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| Model of the Temple of Hadrian in Piazza di Pietra |
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| The resored Corinthian Columns from the Temple of Hadrian - The Stock Exchange now occupies one of the halls |
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| Sant'Agnese in Agone at Piazza Navona |
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| Below and Above - Piazza del Popolo |
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| Above and Below - Statue in front of the terrace of the Pincio gardens at Piazza del Popolo |
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| The 'twin' churches Santa Maria in Montesanto and Santa Maria dei Miracoli at the Piazza del Popolo |
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Rome's second Obelisk which was brought to Rome by Augustus and re-erected here by Fontana under Sixtus V 1589
Piazza del Popolo |
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| The base of the Obelisk |
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| The terrace of the Pincio Gardens - Piazza del Popolo |
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| The statue at the base |
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| Above and Below - streets running off from the Piazza Del Popolo |
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| The Square at the Spanish Steps |
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| Above and Below - The Spanish Steps |
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| Below and Above - Column of the Immaculate Conception in Piazza Mignanelli - near the Spanish Steps |
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| Some Roof Gardens observed from the Piazza di Spagna |
Today 18th January is my visit to the Vatican and my last planned tour. We are up in time but no time today for our second breakfast. BJK takes me to a taxi and ensures he knows where I am going. The B's are both so marvelous like that. With all this attention I do arrive on time for the tour. The B's are doing their thing of walking around Rome and checking out other sights that they specifically want to see whilst I am still on the basics. Anyway, I am on the tour and after a slow start as another two people were much later, we are on our way. I have Sarah again and she is very knowledgable. As the tour starts I receive a text from Jaffa that Lleyton is on the court against Nalbandian. I hope my attendance at this holy place will help, however, given this is a Catholic place and so is Nalbandian, I think it back fired. Lleyton on all accounts did marvelously to take him to 5 sets. Anyway, throughout the tour I was getting these update. So good of Jaffa. At the end of the fourth set he was going to bed and we said goodnight. About 15 minutes later I get a further update. He cannot leave Lleyton at this time so he continues to provide me with updates until the end. I was bereft. Nevermind though he remains my hero and I still will follow NADAL.
Now back to the tour. Great place to visit. We started about 9:30 and ended about 1:00pm. We entered by the Vatican Museum. I loved it all but was overwhelmed by the room with the busts and statue collection. Loved the Tapestries and the Raphael rooms. The Sistine Chapel was beautiful, particularly given the history and the brilliance of Michelangelo. Fascinating stories. My love of all was St Peters. Absolutely the best sight of all. The Bascillica and the grandure of the interior and exterior was breathtaking. I find it impossible to itemise the marvellous things I have seen, there are so many and they now merge but the book helps me remember individually. I loved the painting of the Judgement in the Sistine Chapel and the story around sculpture The Laocoon (1st Century BC), the round room and so many more. I think I really need to see it again and again. I understand why people love Rome - it is outstanding.
As we were of the opinion that the tour would last for 3 hours I was expecting to meet the B's at midday. They arrived and I had only just entered St Peters. We caught up in the entrance and they went to do something else and returned at 1 when my tour was finishing. I simply loved that section. I think I like show. The trip has highlighted my attraction to baroque and major show pieces. The quieter pieces are beautiful but not as amazing as my favorites. Of course I have tons of favorites.
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| One of the Gardens looking out in Vatican City |
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| Below and Above - The Pinecone in the Courtyard of the Pinecone - cannot remember its significance |
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| Below and Above -The Sphere within a Sphere (1990) in the Courtyard of the Pinecone |
After meeting up we now go in search of food. We are hunters, seeking out the best places. Well again we managed it. BJL found an Osteria called Da Benito e Gilberto al Falco http://www.dabenitoegilberto.com/. It is seafood. This is very much a small family business with Mama in the kitchen and Papa and daughter in the front. They were surprised we came to their place, pointing out it is usually the Italians that come. They were very nice and provided us with a lovely selection. Firstly cold fish dish of oysters, clams, snails, scallops and some other things we ate but had no idea what they were. Then they brought us a lovely Bruschetta - one each. Excellent. Toast warm, fresh tomatoes and very tasty. Then an added small pasta dish as I had said I would like some but then changed my mind in favor of a hot seafood platter. They brought us all a small plate of pasta -again lovely with a tomato sauce and teeny weeny crabs. We ate the lot, shells and all. Then the hot platter. This comprised a whole sea bass, prawns, scampi, and other cooked delicacies that again I cannot name. All this with a bottle of white wine. Have not found a wine I didn't like at this point. The the sweets. The woman had served it to the table next to us and pointed it out to me, saying we must have this. We did. One for me and one between the B's. It was delicious comprising a thick custard, cream and a flaky pastry with some little lumps of chocolate in mine. Marvellous. But that is not all. We left there in search of a specific shop with glass products the B's had found previously. By now the pills are wearing off (I have had about 6) and my legs are killing me but BJK promises it is only about half a km away - he really needs to learn to measure. About 5kms later and after a few false roads we find it. It is lovely. The shop is called Kouki http://www.koukivetrosoffiato.com/ I purchase a few things as did the B's and we are on our way again. It is about 5pm about now and we want to go to the Jesuit Church by 5:30 for a light show. You may remember this is where I left my camera and then had it returned. This church is spectacular and at 5:30 they have a light show about St Augustus. It is in Italian and there is singing - all pre-recorded but just beautiful. The narrator has a beautiful voice further accentuated by the Italian. The music is lovely and then there is the light show. The focus initially is on a painting but then the painting scrolls down and there is this marvelous statue all bejeweled exposed to us. Exceptional. That is the end of the day. This just about out baroques the baroque. I take a taxi home and the B's walk in order to book our restaurant for Wednesday night.
Tonight they are going out and I am staying home. I do not go immediately home but visit the Internet point not far from our apartment. Do some catching up on the blog, emails and tennis and return to the apartment as the B's are leaving. I finish the gelato, my last designer coca cola light (it was flat), and some fruit and go to bed, exhausted. Another day, Wednesday 19th January, not as big but just as marvelous. Breakfast to finish as much of the fruit as we can, and we do not do a bad job of it. The B's leave first to do their thing aimed at wearing out either their shoes or the cobble stones. I think the cobble stones will win. I am hoping they might fill in a bit about their journeys without me, even if it is just a short note. This hope may be in vain but one can only try.
I had instructions to meet them at the Piazza Farnese at 11:30am. I have it marked on a map and intend doing some odd things in the apartment, hanging up our last load of washing and then looking around the local shops. Did not happen. Spent too long making blog notes, washing machine goes forever and I leave. Catch the tram to the designated stop and get off and walk following the map. There is a choice of left or right at the cross roads and to make sure I check with the Polizia. Left it is. I keep going checking the map consistently to ensure I find the right location. Then I am faced with a fork in the road - do I stay on the top road with the river or move to the lower road behind the buildings. Text gets no response. So I make an executive decision and go top road. The place looks deserted and grubby. I find some steps down to the lower road which gives me some confidence that I do not have to go all the way back if I am on the wrong road. No one speaks English and in fact some young women stop me for directions. Then there is a small road leading to the lower road. I take it. Then I text my location in detail. No response. Then I see a small crowd on the lower road back towards where I have been so I check it out. Seems to be my group but the B's are not there. It is 11:30 where are they? Of course I should have known that BJK's 11:30 means midday. I am waiting and texting and he responds finally that he will be there in 5 minutes. His 5 minutes takes 20. Regardless they arrive and we have access to the Palazzo Farnese to see the renowned Farnese Art Collection highlighting the artistic links between France and Italy from the 16th to 18th century. This is provided through the French Embassy and BJK was able to obtain 3 tickets. Quite an achievement. Not all the areas are open but we did see a great Roman statue of Hercules, Venus by Annibale Carracci, Crouching Venus with Eros, Hercules hesitating between Vice and Virtue. There was also some lovely work by Michelangelo. The architecture of the embassy was also very classical and beautiful. Again the influence of Michelangelo.
On leaving the Embassy we went in search of food. BJK assures me it is just around the corner, about half a kilometer. I am wise to his measurements and after about 2kms we arrive at a very busy little place with standing room only. It is called Antico Forno Marco Rosscioli www.anticofornoroscioli.com . The place is packed and they serve pizza. We all had the same type and it was delicious. The shop has a bar area, as well as a pastry section and the Pizza servery. In the back and behind glass there are 2 men making the pastries. They do not stop and you can watch the pastry standing, being kneaded, and put in the oven. Huge platters of long pizza pastry. They appear to do things in stages involving, kneading, baking, standing, oiling, tomato base, cheese etc. etc. Well we had no trouble demolishing that and then we checked out a small leather shop a few doors up.
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| Top and Below - the Pizza shop - beautiful |
I purchased a number of things for friends and family whilst BJK purchased a belt or two. Now the name of this place is ibis Roma. They do not seem to have a web address but it is located about two doors from the cafe.
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| Top and Below - our little Leather Shop - Ibis Roma |
After this morning I came home, hung out the washing and did this blog. Now I am going to rest as we have a big night. Out last evening meal of our holiday. We are going to a restaurant that the B's recommend. Will tell you more tomorrow although this might be my last update overseas. I intend tidying the whole thing up on my return. Cannot wait.
19th January 2011 evening
The B's return and get into their packing with a vengeance. That prompts me. I think I have it covered. We are going to a restaurant which the B's assure me will be no problem to walk. Before the restaurant we are having aperitivo at a local bar. They feel this will round out my Roman experience. We have some alcohol at the apartment in order to prepare for the evening. As far as I am concerned the alcohol with the pills will make my legs feel great. However I do notice they suggest I might get a taxi back. So we have finished most of the wine and the Jewish fruit cake. Getting down to the bare bones now.
Had a lovely evening. We went to the bar of our first Callisto night and had small bottles of champagne. Then to the local church to see the inside. I had previously only seen the outside on our first night here. Another lovely church - need to get it's name also but the architecture tells us that this church has been around for a very long time starting with the Romans.
Leaving the church we walked to the island through the small streets and lane ways finally crossing the bridge to the restaurant. It is known as Trattoria Sora Lella S.R.L. http://www.soralella.com/ The staff are so very attentive and dressed immaculately. We are seated and order an anti pasta of prischetto and buffalo cheese. This is lovely. I think we have tasted nearly a fifth of the varieties of ham across Spain and Italy. None have disappointed. Our first courses are - have to get B's to give me names but I had Raviolli with some sort of sauce. They had a t style spaghetti but with different sauces. BJK had something with a meat and BJL had one with walnut and egg. This was all pretty filling but then there is the second course. I had pork in a red wine sauce, BJK had lamb of some sort and BJL had another meat with vegetables. This style of cooking is extramely rich, something I had not been prepared for, however we managed. BJK had selected a lovely red wine that he now needs to give me the name of. The reason I need all this detail is that they wouldn't give me the details at the table.
We still had room for dessert. I had gelato (chocolate and vanilla) and even for me the chocolate was extremely rich. BJK had nougha gelato with a liquor despite his early protestations he would only have fresh pineapple. BJL had a lovely bowl of strawberries. We drank two bottles of lovely chilled water as well. Coffee expresso was had by BJK and then we left. All feeling great. Our last night and a lovely evening. In addition during our walk to the restaurAnt the B's found a book they had been looking for on the town. All together a lovely day. I also walked back. After leaving the restaurant the B's took me to a lovely little 2000 year old Roman Bridge (pedestrians only) which joined the restaurant area to the main road in Rome. Amazing to think I was standing on such a bridge. Thought of Russell Crowe as the Gladiator helping to build the bridge. Good look.
Home exhausted and to bed. Slept great although BJL was Ill during the night.
Today we leave. The plans for the B's to go to the Vatican have changed and BJL is staying in bed resting whilst BJK and I go to the Museum. It is raining and the roads look lovely. Early morning, around 5am I lay awake hearing the markets set up for the day across the road. This is fresh fruit and veg plus, meats, fish cheeses etc. All gone by about 2pm and then the workers come in and wash the square and remove the packages etc all ready for tomorrow.
Our last day in Rome and of our holiday. We leave at 8:30 tonight for Dubai. We have plans to leave to apartment ay 5pm.
You would not consider any more could happen but it can. The planned taxi arrives and in the usual standard of Rome traffic he parked to have a coffee as he was early. The B's had been out for a walk and on their return believed they had seen him. So we go down and the van is there but no driver but he sees us and says he will not be too long and he is good to his word. We load up but he cannot get out as a small car has parked on the corner and there just isn't enough room. So he sits and toots the horn. And toots. And toots. Finally a woman in a nearby shop comes and tells him to reverse out down the road and obviously something else but I have no idea what. So he does this but the road has balustrades to block entry, and obviously exit. Another helpful person then tells him what to do. You can imagine this conversation with gesticulation in loud Italian. So he does what seems obvious he cuts across the market area which has finished for the day. There is no real point of exit so he is preparing to go over the gutter when we see the police coming up the narrow road. The road is one way and the other way but fortunately there is a " t" junction he intends to go up. Once he sees the police he is out telling them loudly and with gestures what he is doing and why. They do not get out of the car but in the meantime encourage him to do as he had planned. At the same time a small car and a bike are attempting to overtake the police car and the other cars lined up behind it. There are parked cars on both sides and very little room but under great duress he manages. We cheer.
That is not the end of it, we get to the airport and move through the various procedures. We have just moved through a 7 line queue and move to go through further security when BJL is not feeling too well. He leaves his bags with us and moves to an attendant to let him sit down when he suddenly dry wretches and collapse. BJK moves to assist but the staff have it under control. I now have my bags and BJL's and BJK has his. They close this line, attend to BJL and call for medical assistance. I go through the security with no problems and stand outside waiting for the medics to arrive. They come about 10 minutes later in no seeming hurry and take BJL away on a stretcher.
Until now they have had him on the floor with his feet high and BJK standing providing reassurance and some Italian translation. The main problem here is that BJK has BJL's passport and boarding pass and all inquiries regarding where to go are impossible to follow. In the end I go to the boarding area and advise Emirates what has happened and that my 2 friends are attempting to get here in time for boarding. You can imagine BJK is somewhat worried about splitting as he has no faith that I will not get lost. I did not and was waiting patiently for their arrival.
BJK and I continue to communicate via mobile and finally the nurses return BJL to a location where BJK is and they go through the whole process again to get to the boarding lounge. They manage to with a few minutes to spare.
Then we are on economy to Dubai from Rome for 5 hours and 15 minutes. It felt like it. Full, noisy, upset babies and a few stupid and thoughtless people. Sleeping was pretty difficult under these circumstances although the meal was pretty good. BJK and I had chicken whilst BJL was restricted to was and dry biscuits. BJK helped out by eating BJL's serving.
We arrive at Dubai and head for the business lounge to relax and shower after which we feel a lot better. We are all focused now on the flight in the A380.
It is supposed to be good.
