36hrs in Rome

Note; If you were not in Rome on this trip, you may want to stop reading now as you will not be able to relate to, or find very little of what follows to be funny. I make no apologies, it is my blog.

Purpose – Italy v Ireland, Six Nations Rugby match & a few pints. Tourist activities a bonus.

Touring Party – Alec, Timmy, Ross, Ollie, Ross, myself and newly appointed Belgium GAA tour leader Paul Hagan. Johnny Phelan was a late withdrawal after being denied boarding, illegally, to a Ryanair flight.

Accommodation – Hostel close to Termini (?) station. Ticked all the boxes. Only disappointment was that the Brazilian on reception only arrived on Sunday morning. She seemed very helpful.

Top 5 Highlights
1) Paul Hagan’s ‘Guide to Rome’ – Lonely Planet isn’t a scratch on it.
2) Corkman saves the day
3) Ollie buying 7 American girls a drink...and all for what?
4) Ross Church, Tourism Ireland
5) Scrum v’s Amsterdam GAA in Campo de Fiore
6) Pulling it out of the bag with the priests

Top 5 Disappointments
1) Ollie’s form
2) €5 cans of Peroni
3) The fact there is only one toilet in any restaurant/bar in Rome – not easy when drinking
4) So many half finished buildings and random pieces of wall scattered around the place
5) General desire of Italians to rob you
6) Undoing all the good work with the priests

Roman Quotes

Ross - I wonder will there be alot of Irish on the flight from Brussels?
Various - Yes, becaus you'd fly via Brussels to get to Rome?!

Whilst waiting for Ollie in the airport in Rome.
Ross - 90% of those people look like they are Irish.
Dave - That's probably because it's the Dublin flight.

Ollie - What's Italian for Pizza?
Paul - Pizza.

Ollie - I sold my soul to the devil for these good looks.
Priest - You should try and get your money back.

American girl to Ollie - You are like a pigeon.
Ollie - ...................

Eanna - How do you eat an olive?
Tim - You just it it, like.

Moments prior to Ronan O'Gara kicking the winning score
Paul - Earn your f*****g living 'ROG' (in aggressive Nordie accent)
'ROG' kicks score
Paul - That's what you are paid to do

American girl – I’m from D.C.
Ollie – That’s in the south isn’t it?
American girl – Wow, how did you know?
Ollie – Everyone knows that – the Mason Dixon line.

Ross – Who is that actor in the Pete Postlethwaite documentary?
Assortment – Eh, Pete Postlethwaite?

Drinking in a pub watching Scotland game. Paul disappears to check the street name and returns 20mins later.
Dave - You were gone long enough
Paul – Aye, I snuck out and went to Mass