First few days in Rome

It seems apt to kick off the blog where it all began, my first few days in Rome.

My first few days in Rome were in some ways, some of the best days I’ve had during my time here, and in other ways, some of the most stressful, tiring and anxious. I arrived, after not a wink of sleep due to nerves, excitement and upset of leaving my family.

A beautiful sunrise shot of my home city Newcastle, almost begging me not to leave :)

An ever so cheesy quotation... but definitely helpful when sadness had taken over about leaving loved ones.

I arrived and found my self standing in the oh so familiar and ever so chaotic termini station (I had travelled through it a lot as a child coming to Rome with family) bursting with excitement, nerves and anticipation. This spirit wasn't even dampened by trying to find my not so familiar hotel in the scorching September heat.

I’ll go into my reasons for moving to Rome another time, but my arrival was a little rushed and with not much time to plan. The only thing I did have planned however was the first night in a small hotel near termini. The first night was spent, in a small single room surrounded by my backpack and suitcase, (now my only belongings) and a box of pizza.

The next morning I checked into a hostel, where I would stay for the next three weeks. In hindsight, it was a bit of a silly decision. My original thought process was that, it was close to the train station which meant good transport links for jobs interviews and house viewings, cheap enough and of course fun, and a good way to meet people.

I was right about all those things, but I spent the next three weeks in a whirlwind of partying, enjoying the last of the gorgeous September sun and making new friends; most of which were tourists and none of which were permanent in Rome. Despite a wonderful few weeks, I’d only met temporary friends, not that I regret that as I met some great people some of which I’m still in touch with and had a jolly good time doing so. Upon reflection I should have probably found an apartment on air bnb in a prospective neighbourhood and got cracking with my new life in Rome straight away.

You live and you learn hey!

However, in the sheer excitement of finally living in Rome, I did have an insatiable appetite and endless energy to get out and explore.

My first few days in Rome in pictures.

Climbing to the top of the Spanish Steps on a rainy Saturday morning

Admiring the Vatican gates hoping for a sneak peak of Pope Francis

A rainy Trevi fountain

A trip to food super store Eataly, such a good discovery in my first few days

Another good discovery of the famous gelateria Giolitti

and discovering eventually what would be my new neighborhood of San Lorenzo

View from my apartment building

That's all for now, A presto,

Zoe

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