Guile and oppurtunity and only one brand of beer.: Roma...Days quatro and 5.

I'm feeling a bit hungover and lethargic so I can't be bothered to write a bunch on Rome. Actually, I feel kind of the way I did when we rolled into Rome.

After that gastronomic monstrosity whic was Christmas dinner, I felt a bit sluggish for most of our first day in Rome. It rained a bit at the Coloosseum, though that didn't really damper how fucking righteous the whole thing was. Really. I can't figure out that feeling you get when you approach another world monument...You know, Eıffel Tower, whatever. It's kind of a gigantic nothingness. Weird shıt.

Anyway, the Colosseum and the Forum were cool. You know, it's not those ancient ruins that get you. It's the ruins that lıtter the city that really blew me away. They're everywhere. I remember leaving and 10 minutes out of Rome, in the distance there was a soccer game. And dırectly behind that game, those scamps, was more ruins. Yeah, you get all kinds of crazy perspective.

We moved on throughout Rome and I was dragged my feet a little. We stopped for some pasta and went to a market. At one point lady luck stopped to take a photo of some Christmas wreath on a statue. Give me a break, I thought and rolled my eyes. The next thing you know, a crazy Roman driver whizzes by me and drives right through a puddle ın the process, leaving the entire left side of my body soaked.

It was all she could do not to laugh. But surprisingly, that whole thing lightened me up big time. We went to Pızzeria Baffetto, which most claim to be the best 'za in Rome. I've already told you that it was the best 'za of my life. So I'll tell you again that I lıterally got high from this 'za. More drinks and then to bed for an early day at the Vatican.

We arrived at the Vatican around 8.15 am. The lineup was already 700 strong (A rough estimate...Counting in groups on 10)

We found our way in there around 10.30...I guess it was cool, I don't know. The Sistene Chapel was pretty righteous. I got a kick out of all the dumb motherfuckers taking photos without trying to hide it, while there's some dude yelling at you in 30 second intervals "NO PHOTOS!"...."Oh, you mean I'M not allowed to take photos? Surely me, being a tourist and all, the rules don't apply, right?" Assheads. Anyway. We snuck a photo, the way you ought to.

Me and lady luck split up for the day...I took to the streets in search of a record store while she did the St.Peters Basilica. Good day. Very good day. Traıpsing around Rome under the headphones and a hot sun got me high again. The right on. Rome's the place to be.

We met up later and climbed this castle for the best view of Rome. By this point, we didn't want to leave.

For dinner, we followed one hell of a recommendation. While we were eating in Venice, I said something like "Damn, I don't wanna turn 30. That's too old for me." I went out for a Marly and returned to find this American family chatting up lady luck. Apparently they took offence to being labeled "Old." Hmm. Anyway, they told us about this restaurant in Rome that they'd saved a clipping about in the New York Times years earlier. They didn't remember the name of the joınt, but they remembered the name of the article. They didn't remember the street, but they remembered the area.

Anyway, we found the joint after killing time in a bar down the street first. (You know what's a sweet part of life? When you don't realize it's happy hour and you get yer bill. Awesome)

We were the first ones in this restaurant. Small joint, with angry old ma and pa running the show.

After the pastas (The best I had) she was a little nervous about ordering a meaty main. And then it happened, for her. She decided on sauteed veal with mushrooms. I'll never forget that look when she took her first bite. And damn she was right. She called it the best meal she's ever had.

More drinks back at the hostel with some Mexicans. Rome was ace. Everything. That's the city I'm still longing for. Damn the hours walking around, damn the sore legs, damn the tourists. What do they call it...The place to be!

Well then I shall be there.

Early start in Venice.

Yes.

The fist with the thumb in as the Roman symbol for victory. Fuckin' Gladiators and shit. I don't think that light in the background is just a coincedence.

Nosehairs in the Colosseum.

Baffetto himself.

We were sat with this Spanish couple. That's how authentic the joint was. This is her, trying to explain why Spanish ham is the best in the world. Apparently they only feed the pigs acorns. I don't get it.