(Sent: Sat, December 27, 2003 1:36 am)

Hi all, Just letting you know that I have just arrived in Rome. I am here for a couple of days and then heading off to Florence on the evening of the 28th. It is peak season here now but I do not know what that will mean just yet.

Now that I have left Spain and my Spaniard friends I will write you an email about my adventures there soon. I was lucky to get a cheap flight here rather than take the 4 trains and one day that it would have needed.

Interesting point of note is that I went to two places to find a bed at a reasonable price, and both places were based in high-rise buildings. Reception is on one floor and the rooms are on the other floors, normally above it. I even tried to book into the Fawlty Towers Hotel, (not quite like the one on British TV) but it was too expensive with peak season.

So I guess my point is that from what I can see, most of the world lives in high-rise buildings and it is only Australia, NZ and USA that I know of which does not... of the whatever they call it countries... I think 1st world or something.

Well take care, Rob.