I'd just landed in Rome after a very early start to my day. I'd already gotten lost at the airport (don't ask) and the taxi* from the airport to my AirBnB had snatched up a bunch of my euros. Plus, I was a bit early so my AirBnB wasn't yet ready. I was in my travel clothes, tired, in need of a shower, and sort of broke. I was a mess, had no idea what I was doing, where I was, or where I was going. I needed a place to post up.
Using my Yelp app, I found a diner serving breakfast food close to my AirBnB that wasn't too expensive. Perfect. I recall Rachael Ray telling me that at a bar ('cafe' for Americans) that I should always order and eat at the counter. For some reason, it's cheaper that way. So, I amble up to the counter with all my bags and hot mess-ness, look over the menu and order some food. After I ordered (and was continuing to fumble with my bags), the guy behind the counter told me to take a seat. 'Pero, el precio' I whined. He waved me off with an 'Es okay' and I took it to mean that he wouldn't screw me on the price as long as I stopped clogging up his bar.
Works for me.
As I sat with all my bags around me looking like a deranged American, my allergies decided to act up. Oy. 'They're gonna kick me out,' I thought. Within no time, though, I had my food in front of me and I started to dig in. My orange juice came in a big glass and was freshly-squeezed. It was more tart/sour than sweet but that was fine with me. A.) I like grapefruit and lemon; B.) not every orange is sweet; and C.) the taste reminded me that it was fresh. Plus, I wasn't hankering for overly sweet juice because I had a giant chocolate-cream-filled donut in front on me. Oh, I also ordered a bowl of strawberries in sugar/syrup. #breakfastofchampions I won't be judged. As I ate, I noticed that the car/bar/diner really filled up. I walked in to an empty place and looked up to find a packed madhouse. That must have been why the barback was willing to give me counter prices at a table. I would have taken up way too much real estate. #itscheapertokeepher The crowds made me realize that I was in a good place (despite the lack of reviews). My sugar high provided back up to my decision-making. Rome, I think I'm going to like you.
*Despite my train wins in Barcelona, it was too early for me to try and figure out Rome's train system. Plus, I speak (some) Spanish so if I got in a tough place, I could ask for help. I speak almost no Italian and was concerned that if I was bumbling around town with a lot of luggage and bleary-eyed, I was asking to be stepped over, stepped on or robbed. Taxi, it was. read more
