Photo: Promise to repay American Embassy
Mar 26, 1979 In the morning I went directly to the American Consulate where I called home hoping to get numbers of the stolen travelers checks. The call only accomplished upsetting my parents. Then I went to the American Express office, where I got a refund for $200 of the stolen travelers checks. Luckily I had just purchased the checks in Rome a few days ago. Getting the credit cards replaced would take time.
I went to the railway station to purchase a ticket to Brindisi, an Italian port city on the Adriatic Coast. Originally, I had planned on biking to Pompei, but now I was anxious to get out of Italy. At the station I helped an English lady move her luggage to the airport bus. She had been living in a convent in Rome, but the Italian bank cut off her funds so she was forced to leave.
Photo: Spanish Steps, Rome
Mar 27, 1979 I went to the Peugout bike shop prepared to buy new European wheels and gear. The salesman instead sent me to a mechanic down the street. The mechanic sent me back to the Peugout salesman to get the English tool that had been so difficult to find. The mechanic quickly and skillfully repaired the wheel. From the salesman I purchased the tool and an English pump. Neither the mechanic nor the salesman spoke a word of English.
Photo: Ralph pointing to Giusti sign, Trevi fountain in background
Mar 28, 1979 I bummed around Rome for much of the day. Had a bacon and egg spaghetti dish at a good pizzeria near the train station. The train for Brindsi left after midnight at 12:35 AM.
Mar 29, 1979 The train was late getting to Brindisi, arriving at 1 PM. I shared a compartment with an Italian woman and her intelligent kids. Upon arrival at Brindisi, I bought a discounted ferry ticket to Patras, Greece.
In the afternoon, I was about to have my final Italian meal, when I discovered that my last 4000 lire was needed for a departure tax. After that and paying 100 lire for using the toilet, I only had 70 lire (8 cents) remaining. The ferry left at 11:30 PM.
Map of South France & Italy
