First day in Rome

The first day in the Eternal City is exhausting. After a couple long train rides, I check in to the youth hostel. It's about 5pm, enough time to investigate the Colleseo stop on my subway line. All the tours are closed, but there's a quick opportunity to see the Colesseum and Palatine Hill. Both look amazing in the Italian sunset.

I have a quick dinner in the neighborhood around the hostel. The area seems safe, but the restaurants here could be better.

There is a group talking outside the hostel, most quickly switch languages, Spanish, Italian, English, etc. Everyone is friendly, and we talk over a few beers. There are two travelers from Texas, two from Mexico, one from Ireland, and a student from Holland in search of an apartment. Conversation inevitably changes to politics, probably annoying half of the group. It's clear that the Europeans are keen to bash Bush and American foreign policy. The pair from Texas, maybe surprisingly, like Bush in general, but dislike how he handled the war. In any case, nothing surprising from the talks, although they were enjoyable.

The student from Holland added, quite interestingly, that the Dutch aren't as tolerant as is supposed. In fact, a recent assasination might spur illegalizing marijuana and prostitution.

It's been a long day and I'm tired. Tomorrow I will head back to the Colesseum and get a tour, and some excellent pictures.