Rome - 13 April

There has been high drama on the Via Cola di Rienzo (our street) this morning. After a particularly gusty wind, would you believe, a tree has fallen on a parked car! (Flashbacks of Cyclone Yazi) While waiting for bus 81 we watched the entertainment unfold. Italians don't do things by half so such an event brought out a crowd, the Municiple Police, Fire Department and at one stage I saw an ambulance. Neither a tree hanging across the road nor a Municiple Policement can stop the Italian traffic which continued to flow at its own chaotic pace either under the overhanging tree or infront of the oncoming traffic to get around it. At one stage the policeman who had been given the task of directing traffic stopped to have a long chat with a guy on a scooter. Perhaps he was arranging a time to meet for an espresso after his shift.

Following the mornings entertainment we made our way to the heart of ancient Rome, the Forum and wondered on to the Colosseo. Lunch was a delicious tuna salad for me and olive pate for Ron.

Regrettably both Ron and I are now suffering from hideous head colds so after locating a chemist to buy more medication, we beat a hasty retreat back to the apartment where we crashed in an attempt to fight it off.