We arrive in Rome on Friday the 13th. I understand there is a full moon tonight... A short wait at the airport for the remainder of our tour companions allowed us a little time to meet some of the others that would be touring with us for the first half of our visit. Seem like some nice people. We should have a good time. 
The dash to find your luggage is always a fun one. Steel toed shoes are highly recommended. The first challenge is to find the correct carrousel. People tend to congregate around any carrousel that has someone already standing there. I suppose you assume that they were on your plane and are regular travellers to this town. You wait. Luggage may or may not begin swirling its way around.
It isn't until later, when you actually see people that you recognise as being on your flight, walking to another carrousel that you begin to question whether you made the right choice or not… probably not.
Everyone crowding around the conveyor belt defends there spot like you would protect your first born. Even if they are too small and frail to hoist that steamer trunk off of the conveyor, they will crowd in front, elbows-a-flailing and stepping on anyone's feet, avoiding eye contact the whole time, just to grab their treasures first. Determination is a must.
Our bus finally departs for our hotel for the next 3 nights. We have survived the flight and baggage experience with only a small amount of bruising.
Nice hotel. After checking in, we decide to take a walk around the area. It's a rather urban area. Mostly apartments with a smattering of businesses located at street level. 
Starbucks would have a real challenge here. By far, the vast majority of businesses are "bars". In Italy, that means coffee bars. Food and wine may be available but the focus is coffee drinks. I did stop for an espresso at one place. It was only €0.80 but I could have spent over €5.00 for a fu-fu coffee…
A meeting with our tour guides and a nice dinner capped off our evening. It's been quite a while since we have had the opportunity for a full nights sleep. I think we're ready…
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