Roma

Yesterday we went to Rome, not for sightseeing, but to take Chuck's bad Mac to the Apple Store. We planned to spend some time walking around Rome to see the highlights, The Colosseo (Colosseum), Foro Romano (Roman Forum); but it took the whole day to get to the Apple Store as it is in the outskirts of Rome. 

Chuck's co-worker was nice enough to take us to the train station in Modena early in the morning. We took the 7:15 a.m. train to Rome and arrived around 10:30 a.m. Since we didn't know where the Apple Store was located we decided to take a taxi. The taxi driver wasn't all too familiar with the location as well as he stopped at the gas station to ask someone pumping gas. I don't think he gets a lot of tourists asking to go to the Apple Store! It took us about an hour just to get to this huge shopping mall Romaest. I was a bit worried about getting back to Rome centro (center) as it didn't look like many taxis were hanging around and didn't know if buses were nearby.

We didn't even know if the Apple Store was located in the shopping mall, but fortunately it was. So we got Chuck's computer there and it'll take a week to fix as they don't have the part in the store. We bought a few things at the Apple Store and it literally took twenty minutes in line as only two cashiers were at hand and were interrupted by people paying for new computers. What I've learned in Italy, it's an exercise in learning patience! 

We grabbed a quick bite to eat and then headed out to find a way back. We did ask people how to get back to the center and said there's a bus that takes you to a tram to take back to the center. But we couldn't find the bus stop anywhere. After walking around twice around the mall, we found people walking from somewhere. So we followed their tracks and found the bus stop. Though it didn't look like one as it was just a posted rectangular green sign held up by a tire base. We just saw a boy waiting there and assumed it was the bus stop. And it was. It took 1/2 hour wait until the bus came. 

So, we didn't pay for the bus nor the tram as you can't pay as you enter or leave the bus with coins. You have to go to a tabaccheria (tobacco store), news stand, or specified ticket machines to buy a ticket before riding the bus or tram. However, no one checks on the bus and so you can ride it without paying with no problem. I felt guilty, but there was no one selling bus tickets at the mall. And we needed to get to the center and there was no taxis around the mall.

We finally made it to the center, but only had time to go back to the train station and held back to Modena as the buses to Maranello stop running at 8 p.m. We catch the 4:35 p.m. train back to Modena and arrive at 7:45 p.m. We decided to take the bus in Modena and transfer to the Maranello bus, but we were too late and had to take a taxi back home. 

So, the next time we go to Rome (when we have to pick up Chuck's computer) we are going to stay there for more than one day. Well, at least we know how to get around Rome.