So a writer, an artist, and three Catholic priests get into an airport shuttle…sounds like the beginning of a groan-worthy joke, doesn’t it? The only thing groan-worthy about it was how long it took to drive from Fiumicino Airport into Rome. Mama Mia!

That and the fact that I was a little a’feared for my life. It was very much like a grown-up version of Disneyland’s Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. Thankfully, our very skilled driver was able to read the map and drive at the same time. Win!

Since my brother Jon and I only planned one day in Rome, we decided our best bet would be to drop off our luggage and hit the pavement right away. We were so jet-lagged though, we very nearly opted for naps. Of course, neither of us were up to the berating we would have gotten if we slept our whole day in Rome away.

Obviously, we were going to need to get refueled.

The concierge at our hotel told us that Pompi’s was the place to go. And so we did.

If you look at the back row, three sandwiches from the left, you will see the best sandwich I ever had in my life. No exaggeration. I could eat here every day for the rest of my life. *sigh*

Though their sandwiches are divine, Pompi’s is actually best known for their tiramisu. But there’s lots of other goodies to choose from.

Don’t see anything you like? How about over here?

After I wept over my sandwich and the state of coffee back home, it was time to hit the pavement. Literally, as it turns out.

Okay. So one of the things you really have to pay attention to in Rome is the sidewalk. Firstly, the Italians love their puppies, so there are dog bombs everywhere. If you’re not careful, you could easily find yourself slip-sliding on a canine tootsie roll.

Secondly, the sidewalks are full of potholes and cracks and uneven surfaces, so it’s really not a good idea to walk and read a map at the same time…which is what I did. Thankfully, the woman I did a swan dive in front of wasn’t too frightened — come to think of it, she hardly acknowledged it — hmph! — and my bloody knee didn’t seep through my jeans. Another win!

Thirdly — and most importantly — BE CAREFUL CROSSING THE STREET! Roman pedestrians just go — ain’t nothing gonna break’a their style. But the same holds true for Roman drivers…ain’t nothing gonna slow them down, oh, no!

Anyhoo, we decided we’d walk part of the Appian Way, “the queen of the long roads,” on the way to the Colosseum. According to our guidebook, it wasn’t far. So off we went through the neighborhood.

I have to admit, I love Italian sensibilities. Check out the dozens of rabbit ears on the roof. They just run the wires down the wall. Almost all of the apartment buildings sported this look.

Their neighborhoods are so beautiful. I love that everything is just mixed together. And no matter where you are, there’s a café nearby.

Okay. Now we’re in wilderness. The Appian Way may be the queen of the long roads, but getting there is no jaunt in the park either. For now, it will have to remain a mystery.

Let’s go see the Colosseum!

Rick Steves says you can do Rome in a day — and we certainly tried, Rick! — but alas! Clearly, we’re going to have to come back and give it another go.