Friday 27 June 2008

Ciao Roma - Hello Calabria

It was 35 degrees at 11am this morning according to the temperature gage by Piazza Reppublica. I think it was actually a little hotter as sweat was literally flowing off each and every part of my body like an unwanted waterfall. (Hmm...sure you all really wanted to hear that...)

I do not care though as all the sweat was worth it as tonight I am leaving Rome. I have had enough of the heat and tourists! I am going to Calabria, to Malito - bel ragazzo's village.



Only for the weekend mind you.

Bel ragazzo is not even here, he went down to Sorrento yesterday for work so will be catching the train to his village this afternoon whilst I have the pleasure (note sarcasm) of going to Tiburtina train and bus station tonight at midnight to catch the bus down south. It is not that I don't like the bus - on the contrary I prefer to take the bus as compared to the train it is so much more relaxing. They give you a drink, often you can watch a dvd and since I am travelling through the night I will get there in about 5 or 6 hours. I love the bus. I just hate Tiburtina.



Leading on from yesterdays post about the vile Line B metro here in Rome, I have to say that the most horrifically disgusting of stations is - with out doubt - Tiburtina. It's a shame really as it has such potential. Tiburtina is a main transport hub; it has a metro station, over land trains and national and international bus station so it's usefullness is up there with Termini...but Termini is a walk in the park compared to this place. (If you come to Italy and want to trave IN or OUT of Rome then consider the bus as there is a great network from Tiburtina and in my opinion is so much more comfortable and pleasant then the trains...often costs a little less too.)

If you read my comments in yesterdays post I said that the only time I have seen human feces is in this station - on the floor just out front of the supermarket. Tiburtina is the home (it seems) of every gypsy, drunk and homeless person in Rome. I'm not exaggerating here, Tiburtina is so disgusting but sadly for me unavoidable.

Oh well...deep breathe as before I know it I will be in the peaceful, beautiful Calabria...Sunshine and seaside awaits!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

YAY!!! It will be good to get away and escape the big city. Have an amazing weekend...I can't wait to hear all about it! :)

Leanne was in Italy now in Australia said...

Hi Lulu,
Thanks! It is so good to get away from the city, even if it is only for a short weekend. You have a good weekend too!

Anonymous said...

I thought of your post as I rushed through stazione tiburtina yesterday morning... it is by far the nastiest of stations. Luckily I only have to deal with it by day, I can't even imagine by night!
the little commuter train I take (the one that goes to fiumicino & back) was packed and guess what? air condition was off/broken in half of the cars. I can't begin to explain the stench inside. by the time i got to work i was totally sweaty & miserable.
argh!!!

Leanne was in Italy now in Australia said...

Hi Romerican,
Poor you on those little trains. I used to take them when I lived near Trastevere last time I was here. It is just to horrible when you start the day sweaty and smelly and it has nothing to do with you...only the fault of the public transport!

Italiana Americana said...

Hi!! That's exciting you are going to Calabria! :) of course the bus station at night is a bit sketchy! Hopefully everything will go smoothly fill us in on the Calabrese food!! CIao!!

Leanne was in Italy now in Australia said...

Hi Italiana americana,
I am back from Calabria and it all went well..now back to life in hot and humid Rome!

Rosa said...

Tiburtina is definetely a get-in get-out station. No stops.

Leanne was in Italy now in Australia said...

Hi Scintilla,
Yes, it is a no stop station for sure! Shame the bus station is there though.