When in Rome: Rugby & Ruins

A few years back whilst living in Madrid I was fortunate enough to have a few jaunts to some other great European cities. I’ve discussed Berlin and Lisbon a little, but this encounter sees me take in the enchanted capital of Italy - Rome!

The idea was to go there for the rugby. The Six Nations Championship was on and Italy were playing at home to Ireland. That was one premise for the trip but also just to go there in general and sample its emphatic delights. 

A friend of mine at the time was planning to go with a few rugby mates, as it turned out it was him, his girlfriend and a friend of hers. They were just staying the weekend whereas I was there for 5 days, so a real chance to take it all in. 

To start we were a little unfortunate with the weather but that brightened up for the last couple of days. Great for me, as I saw the place in its full glory, not so much for my friends as they saw it all whilst it was a bit dour. 

Still a fantastic place either way, and I was super impressed. It wasn’t so much all the obvious stuff like the Colosseum and the like (although great) but more the interesting architecture and structures you see round random corners that may not be in a guide book. 

The place is like walking through a museum and has such a cool vibe. Yes, there’s a little chaos. You’d have to question whether you could live there. The public transport for one was fairly poor for a capital city (especially coming from Madrid where it’s pretty good) and it has other drawbacks. 

But that is part of the charm. You have to take the rough with the smooth, and it really shines the light of what the place is. 

I was staying around Trastevere which was a nice area… but quite a distance from where my companions were staying. This made things a little awkward for meeting up, but I definitely got my steps in!

So on the day of the rugby, it was off to the Stadio Olimpico… via a trip to another famous landmark and institution, the Vatican! There were queues and tourists galore but we eventually got in and in amongst it. An essential stop off on a trip to the Italian capital. Then it was a case of getting from there to the Olympic Stadium for the rugby. 

We got chatting to an Irish/Italian girl after we had stopped off somewhere on the way. We were at the bus stop but the best way of getting there and in good time was via taxi, so we all jumped in together. On arrival she dashed off to meet her mates and mentioned an Irish bar she was going to later. Ok, noted.

There was a lively atmosphere at the stadium and Ireland beat Italy fairly comfortably as expected but a great vibe.

What next? After some fun with trams and the like, my companions jumped on one and I continued walking. They were off the next day so we said our goodbyes and I went on with my adventure. Perhaps to this Irish bar that was mentioned?

As I walked through the city I was amazed at all the sights I saw. I had no idea exactly where I was but there was a real buzzing atmosphere and more great looking architecture and features in multiple squares that I passed. 

I did eventually make it to the Irish bar and there was another rugby match on that day so that was being shown. Once that was over, the band started and all hell broke loose. Those Irish know how to party. 

Our old friend Athena (I think that was her name, the half-Irish/half-Italian girl) popped up in amongst the melee. We had some exchanges but she was on the go as her friends were going for dinner (so she said?). Off she went, and on I went with the night. 

I got involved in the party and took off at a reasonable hour. Got some food from nearby and called it a night. There must have been some pizza in there somewhere… the Italians do a fair job of that! Although like anywhere, it can vary a lot, especially in tourist areas.  

As for the rest of the trip, I just took it all in. Sampled some delicious gelato and anything else I could get my hands on. Did much of the tourist stuff, some less obvious and generally enjoyed my time there before returning home. 

That is still the only time I’ve been to Italy but I’m hoping to change that soon. Of course there’s far more to Italy than Rome, but I will be back there too… I did throw a penny into the Trevi Fountain after all :) 

Have you been and what did you make of it?

Images my own

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