BREAKFAST @ PIAZZA DI SPAGNA

After all the fuss we went through yesterday we rewarded ourselves with a nice sleep in until midday. We saw a local bar across the road from our apartment last night but agreed to head to Piazza di Spagna for breakfast.

We quickly got ready and headed out to withdraw money from an ATM we saw last night on the main street.Within the first minute of walking out of our apartment towards the ATM we spotted another $40 woman look a like. Those that know the story will understand...

Below pic is: The $40 Woman #3

We captured a picture just in time of the $40 woman and hit the ATM machine. By the time we turned around from the ATM we spotted BIRDSNEST...

The neighbourhood is filled with freaks! Trust us to find the weirdest neighbourhood in Rome to live in.

We entered the metro station and spent 5 minutes trying to work out how the machine works. Of course we decided to film the entire process for our documentary of "Living in Rome". Finally we managed to purchase our train tickets and enter the metro to the station Spagna.

Above Pic - The Metro in Rome

We jump off at the Spagna station to walk out to the famous Spanish Steps. At the top of the steps is the church of the Trinita'dei monti, with its two cupolas. At the foot of the Spanish Steps is the Fountain of the Barcaccia (leaking/broken boat).

Above Pic - Piazza di Spagna & the church of the Trinta'dei Monti


Above pic - Fountain of the broken boat

Unfortunately the upper part was under construction. I suppose someone has to stop it from eventually collapsing over millions of tourist. We tend to go camera crazy for a split second and then realise we need to find coffee and breakfast quick smart.

After a short stroll we spot a cafe called Vitti that we like. It looks like a typical Italian local cafe.

Above Pic - Outside view of Vitti

We walk in to notice some people sitting at a table with majority standing at the bar sipping away their coffee. Now this is the thing with Italy, you pay 60% more if you sit at a table to eat than standing at the bar.

Obviously after splashing our Euros yesterday we decide to be tight and stand at the bar like locals. We order sandwiches and coffees for our breakfast slash lunch.

I decide to go for a simple tomato and cheese sandwich with a Cappacino.

It suddenly hits me that this is my first coffee since leaving Sydney. I only drank tea in Turkey. The only coffee I tried having in Turkey was at Starbucks which was more filtered coffee than anything.

Our food is placed in front of us and we start to munch away on our first Italian breakfast. I can't explain how good it felt to have that delicious coffee taste in my mouth again. I can't believe I have missed it so much. I didn't realise how much of a coffee addict I was until this morning. I loved my coffee and the fact that I had lack of it since leaving Sydney meant I had to make sure I get plently of it in Italy.

The best part of the coffee in Italy is that it is served at a warm temperture. Meaning you can basically scull the cup of coffee in front of you because its perfect temperture to drink. I suppose they do that because people run in, stand at the bar, scull the coffee and run back out.

We finished our meals and coffee and tried working out how to pay for it. It was a simple process of going to the cash register and telling the cashier what we had. With our lack of Italian this should be interesting. So how we managed to cause a scene when the entire bar started yelling out to the cashier what we had is beyond me. It was almost like they thought we were running off without paying. I swear we had it under control.

Once the whole payment fuss was over we decided to use the toilets. Lucy went first while I waited outside like a homeless man. While waiting this guy showed up with this little kid who was about to pee his pants. I offered for him to go next but the guy insisted I go first. I felt sorry for the poor kid. Knowing my luck I would come out and he would of peed all over Lucy!

Now that breakfast was out of the way it was time for some serious Rome exploring...