Last weekend I visited Republic of San Marino, the worlds oldest sovereign state and constitutional republic, or modern day shopping mall on the hills as I call it. This European micro-state has a history that is hard to match, whilst the reality of today is like walking down Oxford Street on Saturday afternoon, e.g. you push and you shovel through continuous people jam and when you’re exhausted and want to sit down, you realize you’re stuck in the middle with no way out, not cool. Don’t get me wrong, the place is unique and the look from the top is amazing and the towers are scary, but amount of people everywhere is just putting a downer on the whole enjoyment bit.
I much better preferred nearby Rimini and its chilled out atmosphere, long sandy beaches, home made piadas and great company of my local hosts. Also Bologna had its charm although it was raining for the whole 6 hours I was there. It charmed me so well that I even bought some handmade tortellini (that Bologna is famous for), that cost an arm and a leg (or 34 euros per kilo to be precise).
Now if you’re after proper insightful post about San Marino, here’s one from serious traveller Gary (Everything Everywhere), who just posted a great article on his experiences in San Marino.
Posts Tagged 'italy'
San Marino
Published December 10, 2009 Travel Leave a CommentTags: italy, rimini, san marino, Travel
Cica Cica Boom
Published August 4, 2009 Travel 6 CommentsTags: airport, Boom, cica, Cika, italy, receipt, reputation, rome, taxi, Travel
Every month or so I go to Rome for client meetings. This week was one of those times. Fastest way from Rome Fiumicino airport to centre is by taxi (approx 30 min), and it should be fixed price €40. As Rome is famous for its touts and taxi drivers around the world have tried (sometimes successfully) to play me many times before, you’d understand my wariness when driver announced that conference centre I was going is outside centre and thus fixed €40 does not apply. I denounced the idea as I was certain the hotel is in centre and the fare should be fixed. Not trusting his judgement dearly upset the driver and we had exchange of some heated sentences. Despite our differences, we came to agreement to drive by tariff.
29 minutes later we promptly arrived at the required conference centre and I felt bad about not trusting the driver’s good judgement. To overcome the sour taste of our brief encounter I offered €5 tip, only to receive the second denouncement and “what is it with you look”. I felt bad again, asked for receipt and got out.
Only later, filling out the expense claim, did I discover that taxi receipt was written on pink lap dancers/night club “Cica Cica Boom” advert; as the only proof of expense I had no option, but to use it. Nice one, he did play me after all. There is a reason why certain professions have certain reputations.
