Traveling to Tivoli

According to Google maps, I moved 504 km today
That excludes the wrong turns I took (only once), the fact that I went further because I used buses & trains, my up & down in Rome due to a misunderstanding, I will call it.
I had beauty part of the way, the train ride through Sardinia, flying over the coast of Sardinia, the first glimpse of Tivoli with a massive waterfall gushing from its side, I had amusement… The flight from Olbia was delayed. Then we got on, started moving…& then went right back to where we started…a technical problem
I sat next to an American couple, the lady so curious, she pops up like a little chipmunk to see what is happening.
Our amusement was multiplied as it was shared
I had tears when I realised I had been misled by the trenitalia ticket kiosk that said I had to go to Roma Termini, more tears when I finally got to the right train & it refused to open it’s doors…
I finally arrived in Tivoli four hours later than planned
But oh, wow
Clinging to a hill top, the waterfall I mentioned…the river like a sky…
Ancient streets with ancient stories
Absolutely worth every minute of effort to get here!

Contrasts

Contrasts…early morning bus ride, desultory conversation, last minute reminiscences, instructions ping pong between us
A modulated voice telling us horrible stories of ancient Rome on a sightseeing bus through the city
Early morning Malta waking up, sun peeping over the horizon, only the urgent & early awake; midday Rome, teeming with people, like rivers ever moving, everyone with an opinion loudly articulated
Catching buses, trains & planes…tight schedules, precise planning…hours counted together in just waiting
Heat, cold, heat, rain…
Good byes & hellos
Ancient Rome, modern Rome
Loving the sights…not the people, just, unbelievably too many
Glimpses of what Rome can offer, knowledge that I would not willingly face the crowds
Sadness that Mom is leaving, concern that she will be ok, gratitude that I arrive intact, though late, at hotel
Thirst & hunger, temporarily looming larger than life, satiated & content when finally eating at 19:00
Contrasts, stark differences during the day, back & forth, guilt & happiness…truly a day to end & start again

Timed day

It started at 05:00.
Breakfast at 5:30
Train at 6:26 (four minutes late)
Another train at 7:51
An aeroplane at 10:00
An overcrowded bus on hard seats at 12:00
Running to catch
A ferry across to the island at 13:50
Another bus overcrowded, balancing around an iron railing at 14:15
Following our host through traffic & narrow streets having lost count of time
Climbing up & up & up
In a tower
Church bells ringing
Walking & climbing into an old, old city
Gaping at the sheer size of it all
Eating in a town piazza
Greedily on English food
Tea in the tower
It was an exhausting day, filled with much, senses loaded with information.
It was a good day, filled with perfect timing, God-timing and grace
(& if the church bells allow) I will sleep well tonight