Behind the smiling photos!
I've taken over a thousand photos of my trip abroad so far, but I haven't showed the pain that's happened behind some of them. Every trip has their horror stories. No matter how little they are. They still affect us and remind us of what not to do in the future. So here I am! I would like to share the few horror stories I have come across so far, to help any of you from making the same mistake I have.
My first terror I would like to share happened on the night I arrived in Rome, alone. I was so excited to spend four days in the beautiful city of Rome by myself. I was going to get to see all the places I wanted to, such as; the ancient catacombs, the Roman Aqueducts, and all the museums I wanted.
That morning I had spent my time in Florence catching up on last minute plans before I left one magnificent city for the other. I had plans to see the Uffizi gallery then the Cathedral of Santa Maria before I needed to catch my train. I caught the 5 O'clock train and waited to arrive at my next destination in two hours. It was about 7:30 at night when I made it to Rome and caught the metro train that was closest to where I was going to be staying. Unfortunately, it was still about a nineteen-minute walk to where my Airbnb was located. So, lugging my big suitcase through the cobblestones and walking through the city, listening to music playing all around, people chatting over their meals as I strolled by restaurants. I was starving but wanted to drop my stuff off before going out for a bite. I was also exhausted from the long day and wanted to relax with a glass of wine while admiring a Roman view.
I finally reach my destination of where the GPS is telling me to go. I look around and the suite number 12 I was given was nowhere in sight. I started to panic. Then I started to walk up and down the street, suit number 12 didn't exist in this area. I double check the Airbnb website again it was still telling me I was in the right place. Then I went back through the messages the owner had sent me, read those a hundred time, and was so confused. I searched a different address that she had written in the message and wasn't sure about that one. It took me all the way across town. I was like this can't be right, because I specifically booked this place due to its location and proximity to all the things I wanted to discover. Not knowing what to do, I called the owner for directions. Adding on stress that I had to pay for these minutes I'd be using for this phone call.
So, I'm on the phone with the owner and she's explaining the lay of the land and I'm not seeing anything she's describing. I start to panic even more. I send her a google marker of where her Airbnb directions link told me to go and she responded, "Kaylee, I don't know how you ended up all the way over there! You're on the wrong side of the city." I got angry and explained to her exactly what happened. Then I also explained that the website said her location was here and that's why I booked that place. She continues to go on telling me she doesn't understand how I got there. Then explains she is unable to pick me up and hopes I can find a taxi or get a bus to the correct address. Because her real location was about a 45-minute walk from where I was!
At this point I was bawling, blowing my nose with snot, and just wanted to scream at this lady. Angry, frustrated, and a bit scared. I started to walk across the street to a hotel. Walking in I see two gentlemen behind the service desk. They take one look at me and I can see concern wash across their faces. Instantly, the men asked me if I was okay. "Have you been hurt miss?" In my head I'm like, "Oh shit! They think I was raped or mugged or something like that." So, I apologies and try to calm my breathing so I can talk to these nice gentlemen. I tell them that I am just lost and was given wrong directions. "Would you be able to call me a cab, please?" I ask. One man goes to stand by the door while the other assists me. He first asked if I would like some water than he dialed a cab for me. I was so grateful, standing there with tears still in my eyes, looking like I probably walked out of a horror film or something. The two men then escorted me out the doors as I stated my gratitude and they wished me a better night. My cab arrived within a few minutes to take me off to "Hell".
Nah, it wasn't really "Hell". It just felt that way at first. The neighborhood wasn’t exactly the nicest. It was a little sketchy and I forgot that I had booked a room with a shared bathroom. I couldn't hop in a long hot shower to calm myself down without feeling weird that someone else would need the bathroom. So instead I just called my hubby and cried my eyeballs out to him over the phone!
The room I booked was cute and it’s what was in the pictures, but I was still confused how the address mix up still happened. I tried to let it go and enjoy myself the next morning, but I felt tired from the night before where I cried myself to sleep. So, I walked to The Flann O'Brien, an Irish pup, that I had been to before with family when we came to Rome in September. I found out that the subway was only a two-minute walk from my room so that made it bit easier to travel around since I wasn't really close to anything. Making it to the pup I sat down for a cappuccino and what they had displayed as a "Real English Breakfast!" A plate of two fried eggs, beans, French fries, bacon, sausage, and toast. I ate it all!
Feeling better, I decided to start my wandering trip around Rome! First was to find the Roman Forum and explore the ancient ruins of this beautifully old city.
My advice for those of you who plan on traveling and using airbnb in the future. Make sure you know exactly where it is you will be located. Apparently they may put an inaccurate address on their map. Be sure to ask questions before you travel and that you are always prepared for almost anything.
I will share other terror stories I've experienced abroad in other posts later! Feel free to let me know what you think in comments below or shoot me a private message.
