So sad to leave Greece. One last swim Sat morning before we caught the ferry back to Rafina and then shared taxi to Athens. We arrived in Rome at about 9:30 and by the time it was 10:30 we were ready to figure out how to get to our hotel-6 km away. Approached a gaggle of taxis who told us €30! That is about $50 to go 6 km. So, we decided to get a bus which left in 1/2 hr. A few young people traveling with back packs were there with us as we all tried to figure things out. It seemed daunting- getting on 11pm and a bus transfer involved. Despite what Rick Steves advised, our bags are crazy heavy and it is like we are travelling with personal anchors. Well, one of the young travellers spoke Italian and explained our plight to the bus driver-€30! He hopped from his bus saying he would talk to the taxi gaggle and negotiate a better price. Anne went with him while I stayed guard over the bags. When they were gone for a while, I wheeled over with the anchors to find a waving of arms, loud voices and a police man standing buy. A reluctant deal had been reached- €25 and we loaded our bags into the back of an angry drivers taxi. He gave new meaning to erratic driving and excessive speed – Italian style.

We arrived at our destination in a few minutes – so glad to get out of the car and into our hotel room. Very luxurious and very reasonable.