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JMGEUR 21.4.00 13h48 |
| SO, Last night was without question or hesitation my best time in Europe thus far. After a few moments of broken English, Mossimo (Max) placed me as Erin's Brother and I became the most popular person in the world. Three (2big1medium) beers were thrust upon me in the time in took to close the bar (I tried to help, but I'd never worked in a bar before). Following this was a quick sprint to grab my jacket, and then onto the back of Max's Bike for the thrill ride of my young life. Mix The Beast, The Magnum, and The Grand Prix. Remove 90-100% of the traffic laws. Add cross traffic, oncoming traffic, and a WAY TOO SMALL helmet (had to use one hand to keep it on) and you now have a concept of this ride. Put that concept in ROME (think Coliseum, St. Peter's Bassilica, and the worst drivers I have EVER conceived of) and you are that much closer. no less than 70% of our time was spent in the left lane (read - the wrong side of the road) (where you can pass easier) and the remaining time was spent in between vehicles. Passing into oncoming traffic is only scary till you have PASSED people who are passing into oncoming traffic, then the fear just melts away into a sublime, "I've lived a nice life, But this is the end" sort of smiling haze. And this was just getting there. For the record, in addition to being quite invigorating, this type of locomotion gets you to your destination at at least three times the speed of the psychotic auto drivers all about you. We arrived at the club, stowed helmet and jackets, and (thank you Max) found a great table from which to watch a good band cover all of the Under the Table and Dreaming album by Dave Matthews Band. If there were two people in the whole place who knew the words to the songs, one was the lead singer, and the other was me. As I was bobbing about enjoying the music and singing along my neighbors asked me how I knew the words. I got to explain that I had the album at home and was even able to tell them the name of the band (news to them). What a treat. New, appreciated music for them, and good stuff that I'd had plenty of time to appreciate for me. After the club, I as I was putting the helmet back on, Mossimo corrected me...we were not done. Next was a dance club (completely full, sorry - you can not get in) that quickly changed their tune after a brief conversation with Max (who it seems, knows everyone.) I have no modified my previous belief that one should always tour a city with a local bartender. Now I have learned that one should tour with the bar's OWNER. After over an hour of dancing in a great Roman club, and another life-threatening ride we were at a restaurant (3:30am) where we were once again turned away, and once again, welcomed most graciously after a brief conversation. My sister tells me that she does not remember entering a restaurant with Max and NOT having them move tables about to make space when there was previously none. I have no idea if that meal was breakfast lunch or dinner, but it was appreciated. Another episode of HANG'ON'FOR'YOUR'LIFE and I was back at the Hostel. Every good experience comes at a price. Last night's fun was priced at one sore, somewhat hung over day today. I didn't know that I had muscles till they were quite sore from hanging on for dear life. Today, I'm happy, hungry,
and heading back over to the Twins Bar for more |