Roma and insomnia.

Captain’s Log: 04 June 2010

I arrived at Heathrow this morning at 9. My flight for Rome didn’t leave until 12. I had hoped I might catch some much needed sleep, but that chance slipped by me. I was still a little high-strung from Wednesday’s adventure so sleep eluded me. I only got about 2 hours on my flight over and my dreams were filled with runaway planes and trains. I saw on the news about a man going on a shooting spree in Cumbria. He killed his wife, twin brother and several other people who had once wronged him. He snapped after the possibility of jail time for missing bills. It was different. Englishmen were all around the tellies watching the new information pour in. They all had a sour look upon their face. It was hard for me to empathize with them. It was weird, so I laid down and listened to music.

Eventually, I found out my gat number and hurried over to the plane. They barely glanced at my passport as I walked by. Is it that easy to sneak into Italy? Yes. Customs was a joke. They stamped my passport and said next. Rather simple. I wandered around and got my bags. Then I awkwardly looked around for the Leonardo Express. Gosh it was hot.

On the train I was delighted when a 300 pounder sat directly beside me wearing all black. His sweat permeated the air around me. This did not deter my vision thankfully. Only my respiration. I got to look at Rome once again. It was similar to how I remembered.

The colors of Rome all seem older. They have a washed affect. Even the sky looks like it has seen many more summers than the sky I am used to. I noticed this all while being smothered by the humidifier sitting next to me. Maybe I was just hallucinating.

Once I got off of the train I had to walk about a quarter of a mile to my hotel to meet my friend. At this point I had been going 24 hours on 2 hours of sleep I was exhausted. Thankfully and quite luckily I made it to the hotel mediterraneo—a beautiful hotel that I should have never booked. I met my friend apologized for being a day late then went to my room. I laid in my bed for awhile letting my legs get their feeling back. After about 30 minutes of that I called my friend and we went off to get some food. A calzone at a local pizzeria fought off the hunger dragon long enough for us to go the Terimini and buy our train tickets to Venice.

When we got in line to buy our train tickets I couldn’t help but notice the couple in front of me. They were both models. Or should be models. The woman was gorgeous and had beautiful hair. She was dressed very nice and had an air of superiority about her. (Or maybe that was mine) Her fiancé or husband was a handsome man. Probably 9/10 as attractive as me. Yeah, he was a handsome man. When we eventually made it to the ticket counter my Italian phrase book made me feel like a boss. (Which I am). Parla inglese? Si. A bit. That set the tone for a broken English conversation leading to me buying some train tickets to Venice. I have never felt so proud. (Obviously a lie) I had successfully communicated with a local. Of course it cost me my first born child, sorry Nathan Jr., but now I am one step closer to Venice.

Today has been a super long day. I am going to take a shower and hop in bed. I didn’t meet anyone new today, but it is partially understandable I hope. I will introduce you to my friend tomorrow though. Well, Ciao.

End Transmission.