Big building on the Island of Tiber
Today was a casual day but the sun got in the way. The heat has returned with a vengeance and walking had to be selective – shady streets only if possible. With Ubers or Taxis costing about fifteen euros a ride it was economical to buy a 48hr Hopon Hopoff bus ticket. Todays destination was Trastavere.
The bus took us around the sights of Rome before we reached Trastevere, although we had seen most of the sights a few years ago it was still impressive to see them again. But as mentioned before the crowds here are massive and oppressive. We were glad to be on the bus not the street.
We had stayed in Trastavere ten years ago on our trip to Italy. Not many memories but a few came back as we wandered the streets.
The flower market just outside the apartment door and the street car stops on the street flashed back. But that was not why we visited the area again.
The big reason was to tramp the quaint streets and perhaps have lunch in a different place other than a large street cafe. The place we ate at didn’t reveal its charm until we visited the facilities. Those facilities were located in the basement – two levels down. Those two levels were dining rooms located in attractive cellars.
A wonderful surprise for what appeared to be a one room cafe – NOT.
The heat then got to us 35C and little breeze so back to the bus stop to go back to the BnB. Shuffling along the shady side of the street we made it.
BUT there was a surprise that really POd me. The hotelier collared me for the rent. “OK” I said “But your machine would not take any of my cards this morning.” we tried again – no go. “OK phone booking.com they have the card on file get them to pay.” I phoned booking.com and they blew me off in an instant. “You said you would pay the hotel – it’s your problem not ours!” OK try a money transfer; Wise did not like his bank account. OK try an international money transfer through Scotiabank – nope they didn’t like his SWIFT number. OK try Western Union they wanted a $100 transfer fee! So off to the ATM. That didn’t want to give me 500 euros in one go so I had to do it in two transactions each costing 5 euro fee. Finally had the money and the cost was 10 euros in ATM fees and 12 euros in exchange rate. Two hours I won’t get back and a few hundred steps in the heat.
SO the moral of the story is when asked if you want to pay at the hotel or pay booking.com always pay booking.com
Last pic of the day – evening meal
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