Colosseum in the evening sun.
- Colosseum in the evening sun.

A business trip recently took me to Italy and Rome for a couple of days. This was the first time in Italy for me! I have travelled to the Americas, Africa, and India, but missed this part of Europe.

At least one afternoon it was possible to get the time to walk around Forum Romanum and Cirkus Maximus. Amazing how in a short walk thousands of years of history unfolds! Note to self; Include Italy on the itinerary for a vacation trip - soon!

I also got a decent Osso Bouco for dinner the same evening. You have to be picky about restaurants. It is easy to get food and wine competely inferior to what Italian cooking and wine selection can offer.

On the down-side; I arrived at the Fiumicino airport, and took the train to Termini (this was so slow!). From there, I took a taxi to the hotel, which is close to the Colosseum.

Now, I am sure the rate was much too high, and he did not find the shortest (but fairly short I conluded later) way, but I was too tired to bother too much. What really blew my fuses was when I handed the driver the money, one twenty and one ten Euro bill, and the stupid ass tries to pull an old trick on me! Waiting for my change, he turns back with one ten and one five Euro bill and tries to claim I gave him too little!

I think he got the look on my face right, because he immediately retreated. Why do the asses even try?

They cannot be proud of either themselves, or their city, since they drag the name in the dirt. Maybe he got the following symbolism wrong:

Proud Symbol of Rome
- The Proud Symbol of Rome…

Proud Symbol of Rome on a dustbin...
- …on a dustbin!

When in Rome, do as the Romans - but not as all of them.