Oh Lordy, I'm tired already!

Well, I finally made it to my hotel - after a train, subway, walking forever and finally giving up and taking a taxi. I've already logged 9200 steps on my pedometer and it's only 11:45 am here! This is a hotel much classier than me - and it is farrrrr away from any of the sites. But let me start with my trip here.

I only had 45 min between my flight from Austin to Newark until my flight from Newark to Rome and of course our flight left late, then had to circle the Newark airport for 25 min due to too much air traffic. My gate change, which originally was 9 gates away on the same terminal ended up being about 1/2 mile away. I raced to the gate and the door was already closed. Luckily they opened it and I got on. My seat was taken so I had to take another and it was a long cramped flight - but we did eat 2 meals so I wasn't totally cranky.

I found that you should not change money at the airport or train station - after I had already done it. For $400, I got 221 Euros - very bad exchange rate.

I did find out how to say "coffee with cream" - cappaccino :) and I ordered one as I walked aimlessly around trying to find my hotel. It was less than 1 euro - a bargain.

My room is not ready yet but they did say that they upgraded me so I can't wait to see it. I hope to find a tour today because I'm not sure I can find my way anywhere from this hotel. I haven't tried out my GPS yet but plan to do that later today.

Interesting tidbit - I talked to a couple from Fla and a local woman on the train and they all said to watch for theft and pickpockets. The local lady had her luggage stolen. When I was on the subway, all of the women had their purses on their laps protected by both arms.