Arriving in Roma

As pleasant a flight as mankind could reasonably expect - travelling in daylight to be recommended.

We arrive in Roma - approach passport control - our first example of the European malaise? - for the immediate future of Europe I hope so! - chaos - hundreds - thousands? - of people and 3 passport control windows open - the EU line flows freely - the remaining lines deteriorate into a heaving mass of irritation and agitation - the spare Italian officials stand around chatting - no one cares - this is just the way it is! - an hour passes - we are a little closer to the passport window - we share annoyance with our fellow travelers - I suddenly become a Dubai-phile - it is time for these Europeans to see how the Arabs do it! - the heaving crowd is generally well behaved save for the occasional expression of irritation as one takes the opportunity to progress their position in the race to the passport window al the expense of someone else .

We are in sight of the finish line - I don't believe it - a twenty something couple with a 6 month old baby sound asleep in the mothers arms - they bypass the queue - come to the front of a line occupied by an elderly Oriental couple - please can we go ahead? - we have a young child - of course they go ahead - I feel contempt - I really feel put upon by a young, fit couple who chose to use they sleeping child to progress their own self interest!

Now we are very close to line - start to relax - ah - an opportunity to learn some Italian - La Linea Guilia - the yellow line - please stay behind the yellow line! - the crowd are over all of this - they are pushing forward - the front of the crowd yields - La linea Guilia is violated - the idle official from an E U windows decides he will instruct the heaving crowd back behind la linea Giulia - we laugh at him - we hope that was not a mistake! - he eventually recognizes the futility of his endeavours and retires to his EU window to await the next European.

The welcoming ceremony is finally over - we are through passport control - through baggage collection - the driver is waiting - yes he knows where La Mongolfeira is! - driver is jovial - happy - drives like an Italian - avoids other Italian motorists like only an Italian can! - the trip would be complete should he able to actually find our accommodation - down narrow street after narrow street - the GPS fails - phone a friend achieves the desired result - we are disgorged at a pair of un-inviting wooden doors - some trepidation - we push the tiny bell - the doors open - up a flight of unkempt stairs - is that a lift? - yep - I have seen one of these in an old movie - up we go - we are greeted - we relax - lovely people - lovely B 8 B on Piazza Navona in the heart of Roma.