Rome Day 6

I slept well last night considering there was no heat and it is the middle of winter in Rome.  Luckily I had packed winter jarmies, bed socks and a hot water bottle and I had asked for two extra blankets.

I had breakfast then went downstairs to speak to the manager to find out what he planned on doing about the heater.  I told the guy at the desk how I had trouble with the heater and what had happened last night, he looked at me and asked me when I was leaving hahahaha.  He was serious.  I didn't speak to the manager, I had the maintenance man come up to my room and he fiddled around with the fan vent and the temperature control and went away and came back and tried to tell me 'Madam it is working'.  Ahhhhhh no it's not.  So back I went downstairs and this time spoke to the manager.  I told him that I keep getting told the heater is working, it is not working.  He offered for me to change rooms.  I rolled my eyes at him and told him I wouldn't change because all the other rooms are noisy at least this one is quiet, but I need heat.  I told him that his staff told me last night that if the heater is not fixed then the hotel would arrange for a portable heater for my room.  The manager raised his eyebrows and promised me that the maintenance man was working on the heater and will work on it all day until it is fixed.  I just looked at him and said if it is not fixed will he please arrange for a portable heater in my room.  He just looked at me and said the maintenance man will fix the heater.  I didn't bother answering him, I just looked at him.  Then he said, yes, we will get you a heater.

Thanks.

Then he said, as a gesture of goodwill he will not charge me for last night.

Thanks.

I said to the manager that I will be back this afternoon to test the heater before he leaves for the day!  They must hate people like me who demand to get what they have paid for!

I left and walked to the market at Campo de'Fiori.  It seems a whole lot smaller than when I first saw it years ago.  It's not, it's the same size.  Maybe I am realising that Rome isn't as big as I originally thought.  It's probably got a whole lot to do with the fact that the other times I have been here it has been stinking hot to walk around, I was ALWAYS walking in the wrong direction and getting lost, and I didn't have google maps to help me!

Camp de'Fiori Mercato

I have this same picture I took on my first trip six years ago, the bike is going well!

This sign made me laugh out aloud

I then walked over the bridge into Trastevere and wandered around there for a couple of hours, getting lost, going the opposite direction to where I thought.  Just the usual.

Biscotti in a shop window 

Trastevere

 Street art in Trastevere

Trastevere Mercato

 At Trastevere Mercato

By this time my feet are killing me and I still need to get back into Monti where my hotel is.  About a half hour walk which usually wouldn't worry me but I was hungry and my feet were sore so I decided to get the bus.  I got on the next bus, I had no idea where it was going but I figured it was going in the general direction so was saving me some walking!  I got off about two blocks away from my hotel and walked to the back streets and ended up at the Pantheon so found a small street and pizzeria and had a delish pizza and wine for lunch.  The basket of bread was free - I asked before I ate.

Then I walked back to my toasty warm room.  I was here about half an hour and the manager came up to see if I was happy.  They have also turned the heating up throughout the whole hotel.  I actually came back and opened the window, but didn't tell the manager that!

I then went out to find the post office so I could post a parcel to the guy I made the pasta with.  I meant to take some Aussie stuff with me but totally forgot on the day, so walking past the ruins, it's all just there in the middle of the city, and there's more being dug up.  The city of Rome is built on another city.  I found the post office, it closes at 1.30pm so I will go tomorrow after I have done my mosaics.  Then I will come back here, drop off my mosaic, then go up to the Vatican and see if I can find where to pick up my tickets for midnight mass Christmas eve.

A new dig - on the way to the Poste

On the way to the Poste

That's it for me tonight, I'm tired and my feet are killing me.  Another day tomorrow :)