Rome

Rome! I made it on a 10 euro train from Florence. I walked around the city, explored a University, jumped on random buses, and found the way to my couchsurfing host’s flat. He doesn’t speak English so we communicated through Google Translate! Anyway, he was a very hospitable guy and gave me his keys, wanting me to enjoy the city. The next morning I walked through the Roman ruins, Colosseum, explored a few church buildings (apparently there are 3,000 in Rome), and arrived to my walking tour after eating a 4 euro pasta/wine lunch. Both tours I took started at the Spanish Steps with the first one ending at the Colosseum and the second one ending at the Vatican. I’m so impressed how Rome is literally built on top of itself and people have been living in the same area for almost 3,000 years. 20 meters deep you’ll find ancient ruins and our tour guide expressed that “the pantheon is not archeology, like the Parthenon in Greece, but is living in Italy’. Rome was truly not built over night.

I ate a nice lasagna lunch with students from Washington University and we toured the Vatican museum at night. So I didn’t know anything about the Vatican museum before entering, but was thoroughly impressed. However, the grand finale left me speechless. The Sistine Chapel is without a doubt the most beautiful work of art I’ve ever seen. My neck felt broken after staring for 45 minutes. I didn’t know where to begin looking. I highly recommend you see this work if you visit Rome. The next day I relaxed, ate a canoli, some pizza, walked around the city a bit more, and caught up on some work. So much more I could’ve shared… Rome is amazing!!

Duration

3 days

Accommodation

Couchsurfing (4 nights)

Favorite Food

Pizza!

Favorite Site

Sistine Chapel

Cool Person I Met

Kadhim. Kadhim is from Senegal, speaks six languages, is 20 years-old, and sells bracelets to tourists in Athens. I was 1 of a 100 or so tourists he approached using the give a free bracelet tactic and then ask for a donation. Normally, I walk away, but this time I spent 20 minutes talking (mostly listening) about his struggle making money, being away from home, and his dream to become a successful African politician. I prayed for him and we went on our way.

Highlight

Hanging out by the Pantheon at night listening to a street musician

Big Takeaway

One of the reasons for my travel is to observe and learn from businesses around the world. I’m particularly fascinated with the different marketing and sales tactics. I’ve enjoyed the experience of being a customer at restaurants, food markets, and hostels. I’ve even created a list of 20 or so called ”brilliant businesses”, ranging from one euro waffles in Brussels to street performers in London. It’s overwhelming and so insightful to experience these businesses. I have 3 new business ideas since arriving to Europe (haha)! I can’t develop the ideas now, but hey maybe one day.

Perhaps, I’m most impressed with the immigrant street sellers (mostly from Africa) in London, Berlin, Paris, Florence, and Rome. Many people don’t like their questionably unethical tactics. Kadhim and others I’ve encountered usually give a friendly handshake and ask, “where are you from?”. The sales skills take over from there as they smooth talk you into donating money for their “free” product. I love this creativity and give credit to them for making the most of what they have, which is little. It’s not easy to sell “cheap” products.

One day, if I’m blessed with a company in need of sales people, I’ll seriously consider recruiting on the streets. Sometimes I feel humbled that I have a graduate business degree and every street seller and shop owner knows more about business than I do. Experience is often more valuable than academic knowledge. Of course, both is needed for success. My point in all this is to say many poor, uneducated solo entrepreneurs and small business owners are brilliant! I want to learn from them. It is important to always stay humble, observant, and hungry to learn.

Your Turn

How ethical do you feel street sellers are?

What’s the most creative sales tactic you’ve seen?