Travel isn’t always smooth—and that’s exactly what makes it memorable. My second day in Rome was filled with offline blunders, a failed Vatican visit, and small joys from the local supermarket.
Offline Again
For the third time, my phone died at the worst moment. A loose power socket meant my battery hadn’t charged overnight. The moment I stepped off the bus, I realized I was traveling without a map or tickets. Lesson learned: always have a backup device and never rely on just one phone.
Vatican Museum Fail
I had tickets on Get Your Guide, but with no internet I couldn’t show them. Frustrated, I settled for snapping photos of St. Peter’s exterior with my iPad. Inside the Vatican, I only managed to wander through the free zones.
The place was magnificent—“majestic” is the only word that comes to mind—but I was too exhausted to appreciate it properly. Skipping research and ignoring my health turned this visit into nothing more than “wow, big church.” Travel drains more energy than you think. Preparation matters as much as stamina.
Supermarket Treasures
Feeling sick, I left early and explored a local supermarket instead. Jackpot: a full kilo of Parmigiano Reggiano for under €19. In Japan, the same cheese costs nearly ¥6,000. Into the basket it went, no hesitation. It’ll survive the trip home just fine.
I also spotted cabbage at nearly the same price as back in Japan—proof that not everything in Rome is expensive.
Everyday Rome
At the checkout, the cashier overcharged me a little. Another reminder: pay with a card whenever possible. On the streets, I noticed almost no kei-cars (tiny Japanese cars). Instead, Rome was full of quirky little microcars. A small but striking cultural difference.
On the way back, I grabbed three pastries for €3. At that price, I almost wanted to become Italian just to live on sweets.
Wrapping Up
Lunch was a panini, dinner was roast beef, salad, and pizza. Simple but satisfying.
Even though I failed to see the Vatican properly, shopping for groceries and people-watching gave me a taste of what it’s like to live in Rome, not just visit. And honestly, that made the day worthwhile.
Takeaway: Don’t underestimate the basics—charging cables, health, and planning. Sometimes the most ordinary stops, like a supermarket, bring the most authentic memories.
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