Rome

Next stop Rome.
I've been to Rome before with my sister while on a little Euro trip. We did all the touristic places, the Vatican, The Coliseum from the outside only, we never managed to have time to get there on time to get in, we were there when it was seriously crazy busy. We were lucky enough to be there when the pope did a prayer and the town was busy as hell. We walked through the streets, got lost, found some special little places. We did the Vatican museum saw the 16th Chapel it was such a special experience, i loved discovering all these places with my sister, and even thought i know i dragged her to many places on this trip she would have totally avoided and just gone party, she followed without moaning a single time and went everywhere i wanted and even looked pretty excited doing it. We met amazing people and had a hell of a night, we went to the wrong airport and were lucky enough to be driven by someone kind that took us to the right one on time. Traveling with someone you have fun with is the best. So i already had a good memory of Rome as it is. So I was pretty happy going back,



Unfortunately, went i went there it was summer and i had no idea that it could just be that cold in winter. I was excited to go back but not too excited about the weather. That day was hands down one of the coldest days I've experienced in Rome ever! The winds was freezing and it was raining like cats and dogs. So knowing the guests by now and the fact that they complain about absolutely everything, I was quite scared about how the excursion was going to turn out and having to deal with complaints on the tour already. I was with a group of French and German guests and quite frankly, at that stage, I understood no German at all so i was wondering how to deal with that in case of and repeating in my head the 6 words of German  knew at that time. which mainly consisted of me just saying I do not speak German in a very crappy, half understandable way. I know that the languages are divided and I would follow the french group and the German group had another guide. It is even scarier because now you don't understand what the guide is saying or if he is doing good but he turned out to be a trooper and got the guests' totally fascinated and wanting to know more. Apparently his stories were well explained and captivating. I was so glad. Germans guests are a tough crowd to please.

So after an hour and a half of driving from Civitavecchia we get to Rome. All guests were given raincoats on the ship for the rain so that a was good move to start with. Giving umbrellas might be more useful, maybe also GUM BOOTS, I'm from South-Africa, we use our gum boots during winter when it rains and it works. Now that would be a great thing to give out to make sure your guests are comfortable. You will understand why later. But raincoats is a good start.
As we get there everyone runs to the bathroom. I do not understand, is my bladder different from everyone else. I mean, as the doors open, everyone rushes out. Do people really need to pee every hour. Am i the abnormal one? I do drink my 1 to 2 liters of water a day too but i mean, that often, at every corner every time, it is like herds migrating in the Okavango Delta. You say bathroom, they all run together in a single motion towards a common destination full speed.
After that, we start walking from the Coliseum to the Piazza Navona going past the Fountain of Truth, the Spanish stairs, the Pantheon and much more. The guide was amazing, she taught us so much about the history of the town and the country. She was so active and full of stories. The guests were all so happy and even though it was raining like crazy and we half the time could not really find each other because of all the umbrellas. (Thank goodness for headphone, when the guide gets to far from you the sound goes off and you can always find the guides again because of them)
The tour was fantastic. I was freezing the whole time. My feet were wet and frozen, my hands were trying to get rid of my fingers so it would be less cold and my ears even though i had a hoodie were ready to retract in my body. Honestly as I said I was FROZEN!
But the tour was amazing, hands down one of the best ones I've done in this condition. I will not say in this town as it all differ depending on so many factors. I will say under these conditions because when the weather is just so bad it all depends on the guide, its his/her job to make sure the guests are happy and they have magnificent memories and stories to take home. This guide let me tell you was number one. She had many short stories, got the guests involved and always captivated.
She made me love the tour and I was kinda hating everything else at that stage.

After this fantastic tour, we went back on board where I was finished working for the day. Yes ladies and gentlemen, when you are on a full day excursion, you are done for the day. You have worked your hours. So hating me yet... Hold on, it's coming.

Back in my room, run to the shower, the WARM shower. Stood there for about 30 minutes. Do not judge me, I nearly lost limbs during the day, it was extreme weather conditions out there.
From there went to eat and straight to bed. Woke up... Wait for it... With the flu from hell!!!!