I'm in Italy — What Could Go Wrong? I'm in Rome! (The Honest eSim Card Scam)

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I'm in Italy - What Could Go Wrong? I'm in Rome!

Charming cobblestone streets and local shops
near Campo de Fiori Rome, Italy

Rome was my first stop on my 38-day Italian adventure. Upon landing - phone kaput! The much-advertised Vodafone eSim did not work as advertised. Supposedly, once my plane landed and I walked outside, the eSim would automatically connect. Not so. Despite following all the directions there was no connection, no map, no internet. There was absolutely no way to contact my cousin or the Airbnb I had booked for the next three nights. Fortunately, my Spectrum service, roaming, and WhatsApp eventually helped bridge the gap intermittenly.

From the FCO airport, the regional train carried me to the Travestere train station. Arriving in Trastevere, I discovered the Airbnb was in Monteverde, a section of Rome about 35 minutes by Tram 8 from the neighborhood I had originally hoped to stay. Travel plans rarely go exactly as expected.

Italian State Polizia officers who
helped with transit directions in Rome, Italy

With directions pieced together in broken English, local police were able to figure out where I was headed, and I was on my way. After stumbling off the suggested Tram 8 stop and following what I interpreted as directions to the “10-minute walk from train” and sending a WhatsApp to my host, he  met me at the end of the alley and walked me to his Airbnb.

FYI - Always ask which train, because a train could be local tram, and exact directions. Not just how many walking minutes from train. His Airbnb mentioned Travestere, not Monteverde.

The accommodation turned out to be a two-bedroom flat for a graduate student in middle of exam week, with his father visiting. The list mentioned a kitchen, which was not available for guest use. I also shared the bathroom with host and his father; consequently, hot water was limited throughout my stay. With worn towels and limited promised amenities, I found myself wondering why this graduate student had chosen to make this room available during exam week while his father was visiting.

I will give the host credit for trying to help with my eSim issue. Although we made several attempts, we were never able to get it to work.

Exhausted, I climbed into bed knowing I had a “Taste Secret Roman Flavors and Hidden Treasures” tour scheduled at 11am the next morning. Did not happen! I woke up at 11am and missed my first adventure.

FYI – Do not book a morning adventure the day after you arrive in Italy, especially if your trip begins with transportation problems, a failed eSim, and an unexpected Airbnb surprise.

Missing the “Tasting” turned out for the best. After much needed sleep, Mr Bear and I took Tram 8 into Trastevere to begin his Italian adventure. Having been to Rome before, I knew what to expect. However, for Mr Bear this was his first Rome adventure.

 

Grand marble staircase and ancient architecture
inside the Museo di Roma in Rome, Italy

Together we discovered the Museo di Rome, Largo di Torre Argentina, walked through Campo de Fiori (not what I remembered), and made our way to Pantheon for our last-minute scheduled tour. What fun we had!

Mr Bear sharing his Lemon Crossiant Rome, Italy

Before our Pantheon tour started, we stopped at DolceRotonda for an espresso and the most delicious croissant filled with a tangy lemon cream. A must-try treat!!

Tour guide Jessica Coppola holding Mr Bear inside
the historic Pantheon in Rome, Italy

Our Pantheon guide, Jessica Coppola of JC Tour Guide,was wonderful, bringing the history, architecture, and myths of this remarkable building to life. When she met Mr Bear and realized our stay in Rome was short, she signed us up for her son’s Golf Cart Tour - Rome so Mr Bear could have a quick city tour. It was just such fun! We stopped at all the “must see while in Rome” without walking miles!!

My cousin Edda and her wonderful husband - "Save the Day"

Sandy with cousins Edda and Massimo fixing phone
issues at a TIM shop in  Rome Italy

Edda picked me up at my Airbnb and off we went to find Massimo and attend his friend’s May Day Celebration. But first, the TIM phone shop to get a real SIM chip for my phone!! How can such a small item save my vacation? I am thrilled: my phone works and I have an Italian phone number!! Life is Good! No eSim for me!

Off to the celebration. This is a real, honest to goodness Italian feast, and hardly anyone spoke English! Everyone was cooking, laughing, eating, dancing – so much food!

An authentic Italian May Day food celebration
and feast with family in Rome, Italy

What a wonderful send off for me. Everyone had their opinions “you must see this, do not waste time on this, see the clock in Messina, too many tourists in Taormina. On and on it went all-in good-hearted fun, and me absorbing it all, like I am in an Italian movie.

The night is over. We head back to Rome, for tomorrow I will spend the day with Edda, Massimo, and her dad, before Edda takes me to the train. It was sad to leave them, but I was so excited finally be on my way. What could go wrong?

The four of us had such a wonderful day sharing memories of the many times I have visited Italy, and when Edda would visit me in Boston. How her mom, Aunt Margaritte, tried to teach me a few Italian dishes, and we would laugh so hard because we did not have a clue what each other was saying. Memories!!

Sandy with cousins Edda and Massimo (in back getting electric for car)
and Dr. Parisella Cisterna, Italy