On the plane

On the plane to Bangkok...it took an hour + half to get my ticket + go through security! Lots of lines + no liquid checks. Currently have an empty seat next to me, let's hope it stays that way. There are NO plugs in the Rome airport btw. I had to ask a man behind the desk to plug it in for me + I only had 20 minutes to charge it so it is 1/4 full. Mom + dad I will call as soon as I get to Bangkok + plug my phone in.

Sleepy

I am currently waiting in the airport to check in. I got here around 7 + my flight isn't until 1040. I thought I'd just check in + play on my phone until then, but guess what? I can't check in yet + there are no electrical sockets outside the gates so I am praying my low battery phone stays alive a little longer to keep me entertained. I went into a bookstore to get a magazine + was so excited when I saw some English cosmos. Not so excited about the 9.5 euro price! I couldn't do it.

So I entertained myself with a sandwich + then some cheese + bread. I am also sooooo tired + just want to be on the plane so I can fall asleep.

Ciao

Scott + I explored the Colosseum, which he loved. He describes it as the first football stadium ever.
Since our tickets included the palatino + the roman forums, we continued on. I was quite amazed with the palatino. I wasn't sure what it even was until we got there, but it is the old roman city. It was on a beautiful hill with lots of trees (we got some good pics) + I just loved looking around. The forum (or what was left of it) was also so massive + just amazing.

Palatino

The Roman Forum

After our site seeing, we rented bikes for the day to get around town. We went to the Spanish steps + then had lunch.

Spanish Steps

I got delicous pesto linguine that was so rich. I definitely couldn't finish it, so Scott stepped in. We then biked back to Trastevere but realized all the shops + restaurants (the market area I loved) on the water were closed. So we went down the streets (still an awesome place) + got some gelato. We walked around for a while, then biked on home to shower + rest before our last dinner in Rome.

We went to a restaurant by the colosseum which was super crowded sat night. We got a 4 euro bottle of wine + alfredo with mushrooms + chicken a la roma. We weren't very impressed, and decided the wine was the reason it was crowded.

It tasted just as gross as it looked!

We then walked back to trastevere for a real dinner + had an amazing one! I got a cheese pizza + Scott got chicken. It was really delicious. The pizza was so flaky + thin. I haven't had a better pizza in Italy! And it was only 3 euro! Yummy.

MOST AMAZING PIZZA EVER

We headed back home (where I got eaten alive by mosquitos again), with some shopping breaks on the way.

In the morning Scott had one last kebab before I sent him off on a train to the Rome Airport. I was a little nervous to be going around Rome by myself.

This could literally be from any day of our trip

Bye Scott!

My first stop: getting my laundry washed. I went to a little place my hostel recommended + they did it for me! While I was dropping it off, I met two very nice grad students from the US who were also doing their laundry + backpacking. They complimented me on my belt + the rest is history! We became friends + they decided they wanted to go with me to the sistene chapel. I felt so relieved I wouldn't be alone all day. I was a little weary at first, because scott + I never made friends, but they were pretty legit. I ended up having a lot of fun with them too.

We took the metro to the vatican musuems + went about exploring. We snuck in on some tours, which really made the experience more enjoyable (as we understood what we were looking at).

Good view of the Ceiling

Pretty famous part

My new friends

After we spent a couple hours seeing the musuems + the sistene chapel, I left them because I had to get my laundry before 6. It was about 2:15. I stopped for lunch on the way to the metro and had delicious bruschetta (with tomatoes). In Italy, bruschetta just means bread with olive oil. Bruschetta with pomodoro means bruschetta with tomatoes.

While eating, I took some pictures of the couple next to me (for them) + we became friends. They were a young couple from Holland on vacation for a couple days in Rome. They invited me to their table + we talked for the next 2 and a half hours about the differences between healthcare, schooling, + prostitutition/soft drugs. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Around 5 I had to pull myself away + get on the metro to go back to Termini, get my laundry, backpack, + get on a train to the airport. I am currently on the train + very excited to get on my plane to Bangkok.

Interestingly enough, I feel like I am finally 'backpacking' now that I am meeting people. And I am definitely still being safe mom + dad. I promise. I can't believe how much fun I had today, considering I thought I would be wandering the city without anything to do or anyone to accompany me. This really is 'the life'.

Who ate Roger Rabbit?/no-more-gnocchi

Scott + I had a very fun day exploring Rome. We took a bus to the Vatican + waited in a very short line (only 30 minutes).

Waiting to go into the Vatican

In front of the Vatican

We were then a little confused about where to go, but got in the largest line for the tombs of the popes. There are 3 lines, 1 for the basilica, 1 for the tombs, + 1 for the cupola. So we went through the tombs which were below st peters basilica. Then we went through the basilica. It is humongous! We did a walk through, trying to find the Sistine chapel + the climb to the top of the basilica. Couldn't figure it out. So we got into the cupola line + guess what? It is the line to climb to the top (aka the cupola). We always like to throw in as much exercise as possible, so we chose the stairs vs elevator. We did a jog to the convergence point of stairs + elevator + then were stuck behind the slow people. The second part of the climb was a sauna. It was soooooo hot + the people were so slow + it was such a tiny space to climb. And we had already broken a sweat from our jog. Well we ended up at the top soaking wet. Kind of embarrassing. I was of course wearing two layers so I could cover up for the Vatican + was dying!!! So off went the overshirt + undershorts + then we cooled down + enjoyed the view. Climbs with an end result of great views have got to be my favorite activities.

On the viewing deck of the Cupola

View of the Vatican entrance from the Cupola

We enjoyed the view of Rome + then climbed down. We met a nice Belgian couple upon descent, who gave me pointers on Thailand (where they went for their honeymoon). The downhill climb was nowhere near the sauna of the uphill.

After the cupola, we set out for the Sistine chapel, which unfortunately was closed. I am going back on Tuesday morning to see it, but Scott wants to get to the airport on time. Understandable.

We then set out to walk back to our b+b (by Termini station) + stopping to see all the sites. We got a bite to eat, which made me feel kind of sick. No more gnocchi. Especially with sausage + tomatoes. Scott had a fungi pizza + we shared some bruschetta (tomato) because we were starving! We also decided that we don't know why I keep ordering gnocchi, considering other pastas are much better + I never eat in the states.

Our next stop was the castel sant' angelo. We picked up some treats for our family at the little market nearby. Then we walked over to piazza navona. Next was the pantheon. Walked around + took some pictures. Then on to the trevi fountain. It was much bigger than I expected + quite crowded + noisy. I got delicious melon gelato which was so wonderful in the HEAT, under the shade I ate.

Trevi Fountain

The Pantheon

Best part of Italy (ok not really) is that there are lots of asians (who like pale skin) + so they all hold up umbrellas to shade themselves. There are also quite a few non-asians who hold up umbrellas. Thus began my obsession with using my umbrella! I love it. I wish gainesville wouldn't think I was a weirdo holding up an umbrella on my walks to + from school. Maybe I'll start a trend.

We preceded on to the Roman Forums + past the Colosseum again + then went home to drop off my heavy bag + shower (remember the cupola sauna). After naps + showers we headed back out to discover Trastevere. It is a trendy area (like Greenwich village) full of markets + restaurants. We shopped around (well I did) + then headed to Trattoria dell' Lucia, highly recommended by Catie. It was full + we were told to come back in an hour.

So we went to get some wine. Luckily, Scott had already picked up broccoli /sausage pizza + then french fries(with mayo) on our hour walk over to the area, so we could wait. We then headed back over to the restaurant + sat down for a wonderful meal. The table next to us was from Canada + we had a great time talking to them for the whole meal. They were going to Cinqueterre next so we gave some pointers.

So we got the house wine (that is all we ever get actually), honey + cheese, meat tortellini, + rabbit. The honey + cheese was amazing. It was such a sugary thick honey + the bread was amazing with the combo (we find we get lots of stale yucky bread in italy.) The rabbit was also delicious. It was a mix between chicken + duck. I loved it! Scott did too, until about ten minutes later he ran to the bathroom. After dinner, we went back through the markets (more shopping) + walked back home (while of course taking an extra 30 mins of getting lost). Scott had several pit stops along the trek. Fortunately I had eaten bites of everything he had eaten + I was fine. So I can't discredit Trattoria dell' lucia. And he also had pizza + fries an hour before + a million other things throughout the day!

Most delicious combo EVER

We fell asleep in about 1 second + slept in until 10 (heaven!!!!) I never thought 10 would be sleeping in. Who remembers me sleeping til noon for the past 4 years?

We woke up this morning + got a quick breakfast. It was interesting. We got oj, coffee, bread, pastry, + egg (microwaved in a aluminum pan) for an American breakfast. It was a nice appetizer to the day. Then we headed over to the Colosseum, where we are currently waiting in line to get in. It has taken about 35 mins so far +we are under the Colosseum in the shade + I have been writing the whole time. Not bad.

One last thing: I have been eaten alive by mosquitos (or some bug) in both Venice + in Rome + maybe even Cinqueterre. And for those who know what happens when I become covered in 50 bites magically, imagine that times two. So uncomfortable + itchy. Luckily I have anti-itch cream + I finally pulled out the bug spray I brought for Thailand. I really hope this stuff works in Thailand because not only are my bug bites soooooooo itchy, thailand bugs are full of diseases. I am very glad I came prepared (itch creams, clothes sprays, bug sprays, vaccines.) Who would have thought Italy was so itchy!

When in Rome

Upon our arrival in Rome around 8pm, we checked into our very cute bed + breakfast + immediately went back out to Rome to explore. (Note to the moms: it takes 4 keys to get to our room, so I think it is pretty secure). Since the Colosseum was only 15 min away, we ventured that way (after Scott got a kebab of course).

One of the most frustrating things about getting around is that there are rarely signs identifying the street names (50:50 chance). Rome hasn't been too bad, but some of the cities are ridiculous!

We easily found the Colosseum, took some quick pictures ( because we knew we would be back) + preceded to find dinner. We circled the area + ended up at a delicious spot. We had veggie pizza (with eggplant + arugula) and a yummy pasta/cheese/spinach/tomato goodness. Ah luckily Roman food is proving to be the best of Italy so far. Tonight we are planning to go to a highly recommended (compliments of Catie + Fresco) restaurant in Trastavere. Can't wait! Anyways, after dinner we stopped for a cannoli which was quite delicious. It better have been considering it ended up being 5 euro (highway robbery). Our liter of wine was 10!

Scott + the Colosseum(behind his head) at dinner

The Italian waiters have been very nice + funny + a little creepy obviously. Both insisted we snap pictures of them (after they saw me take 500 pictures of every food item + portrait shot we took).



We then went back to our hotel + had a wonderful nights sleep followed by a hot shower. Luckily all the showers have been hot in Europe. Thailand might be another story.

We are currently on the bus to Vatican city, after a quick stop for breakfast kebab for Scott (aka kebab at 9 am). Wish us luck navigating Rome.

Last train!!!!

Scott + I are very excited to be on our last train. Well sad too, because it means europe is almost over. We have 4 hours until we are in Roma.

We had an eventful day. We waited for our train from Vernazza + of course missed the one we were trying to take. We wanted the 11:06 train to La Spezia (as it said on the board), so when an 11:05 to Milan came by, we avoided it because we obviously didn't want to go to Milan. Well just as it left at 11:07 we realized that was the train that went through La Spezia. So we waited for the next train at 11:36 + were praying we would make our 12:06 to Pisa train. We got off at 12:00 + ran like crazy people (imagine 2 smelly Americans with humungo backpacks saying 'excuse, excuse'). And of course the pisa train was delayed :)

One hour later, Scott had his best meal in Italy in Pisa. Ironic considering Pisa is a dumpy little town. Scott had spinach, chicken, + potatoes + I had pasta with calamari. He had real grilled chicken (not the rubbery stuff he sometimes ends up with) + steamed spinach without butter! We were in heaven with that dish. I'm kind of jealous he gets to go home + eat whole wheat bread + steamed veggies + egg whites.Scott had a secret love affair

So after lunch, we walked to the Leaning Tower of Pisa + took approximately 60 pictures of us + the tower. Then we turned right around + went back to the train station. Scott got some gelato of course on the way.


3 hours in Pisa was all we needed.

Cinqueterre

We just spent the past day in one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. We stayed in Vernazza, the 2nd town(of 5) from the north. We got in yesterday around 130, put our bags in our room + set out for the 5 hour hike (which took us only 3 and a half hours thank you very much). We started in the southern most town, Riomaggio, which was the easiest(20 minutes) + most beautiful part of the hike, which took us to Manarola. Well it was all pretty beautiful, but maybe the best place for pictures.

To our left

To our right
Manarola

The best part of the hike is that you can stop in each town + see them! Which is great for us, because we only had the day + the trains come about every 20-30 minutes. The next trek was about an hour + ended going up steps to Corniglia. I had read that this was pretty hard as there were a lot of steps, so Scott + I ran up them.

Corngilia

From Corniglia to Vernazza took about an hour and the terrain started to pick up. Lots of tiny paths that we squeezed through + uphill climbs. My favorite part of this trek was seeing a cross country team running up the hills. Definitely different than my high school experience running through the streets of Riveria. We stopped in Vernazza for some water + to put my bag down (ya don't hike with a Longchamp) + then continued on. Funny thing is, the only time I tripped the whole day, was running up the stairs in our apartment.

View of Vernazza, where we were staying

From Vernazza to Monterosso, it was supposed to take 2 hrs, but it only took us 50 minutes. We did have a power walk going on + there were lots of crazy tiny paths that we flew through, but really? We followed the path, we swear. So this part started off with this killer steep climb. We literally went from the very bottom of the hills (where Vernazza is) to practically the top in 12 minutes. Made running the stadiums at UF seem like a flat road. We sped through the rest of the trail.

Monterosso

So once we got to the next town, we had to ask and make sure this was Monterosso because it had only been 50 minutes. We got some powerade + shopped around + then sat down for pizza, a pina collado, + a blue something for scott. We made some friends with kids from Portland (thanks to the Blazers jersey scott was rocking) + then took the train back to Vernazza. And while we were waiting 20 minutes for the train, we entertained ourselves with the scale waiting to weigh tourists (weird ya). And guess what, we have both lost weight! Ha, it might have been the power workout we just had, but hey I'll go to Europe for 2 wks + eat everything in sight if I lose weight!

We then showered + got ready for dinner 2. On the trail we had seen a restaurant overlooking the water but really high up that we wanted to go to. While walking through, we saw a sign for a restaurant up a path, so we took our chances. And guess what, we found it (so what if Vernazza is really tiny). We had a very yummy dinner of veal + tomato/pesto pasta goodness + a big salad + a bottle of wine overlooking the Mediterranean. It was beautiful.

We then had dessert + fell soundly asleep in our comfortable + clean bed. We even had a little terrace + stairs to the roof! The shower was interesting. The nozzle was a hand nozzle. New experiences are always fun.

We woke up in the morning + had eggs. I got mine with yummy veggies + scott got sasuage (which was actually hot dogs). We had our bathing suits on + went down to the beach for a couple hours, before boarding the train back to La spezia + then to Pisa. We will be in Cinqueterre (Vernazza), Pisa, + Rome within 12 hours. Living the life!

Side note:
So if you are planning to powerwalk/run this hike, plan on 3 and a half hours. Leisurely pace of 5-6.

Firenze

We arrived in Florence around 4pm yesterday + booked into our hotel. Decent but I wouldn't stand on the floor without socks (aka gross factor). Luckily we spend very little time in our lodging!

So after arrival, the very nice man at the desk showed us how to get around (a very big plus) + we sprinted to our 5oclock wine + cheese tasting. It was awesome! It was right across from Palazzo pitti in a wine bar. We had 4 delicious cheeses + 7 different wines to taste. We were with a brother + sister visiting Italy so it was nice to converse. We thoroughly enjoyed that experience + learned a lot.

Up next was dinner because in case you haven't noticed, we barely ate all day! We went to a little restaurant right by the wine bar + I had tomatoe + mozzarella gnocchi + scott had chicken + veggies. Pretty good.

We then went on to explore the city + eat dessert. Scott got gelato (for the 4th time since Paris) while I had a baby tart with blackberries.

We walked around + saw the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, the Basilica di San Lorenzo, + the Palazzo Medici Ricardi. Then we went by the Galleria dell'Accademia to see when it would open in the morning.

We were so suprised it was a warehouse basically. There was no pretty entrance + everywhere there was graffiti + it smelled like pee. Maybe that is why the man at the desk laughed when we said we wanted to see David.

Well we decided we would wake up at 8 to be there when it opened at 815. And that we did (I know so impressive). So we waited for about 20 minutes + went in + I must say I was very impressed. David is HUGE. I was looking + there was a tour guide talking about him, so I got to learn about him. Fun fact: he ways over 12,000 pounds.

We did our ten minute walkthrough of the rest of the musuem + then headed back to our hotel to check out + make it to the train station. We are currently on our way to La Spezia to spend the day in Cinqueterre. Cinqueterre means ' 5 towns' + it is connected by rail + a hiking path. We are super excited to hike for 5 hours along the Italian coast. Hopefully this train ride goes better than yesterdays!

The God of the Train

Finally on our way to Florence. Note to any eurail pass users, you must fill in the date of travel everytime you take the train or you get a 50 euro fine. Our first several train trips, the ticket checker filled it in for us, but on this train...the ticket checker fined us. It would have been nice to have been informed that we had to do this, so note to anyone using a eurail...fill in the dates.

The ticket checker was the rudest meanest Italian ever! We asked to speak to the manager and he told us he was "the god of the train". Good story I guess?

Officially directionally challenged

So for some reason we thought to get to Florence we needed to take a train from the Mestre station which is much farther than the S.L. Station. Well apparently you don't. We thought since we didn't see any trains to 'firenze' at S.L that that meant they didn't go there. So we get on a bus to Mestre but turns out that is a city + not the station. So we get off somewhere + eat + no one speaks English + Scott doesn't feel good.

Well in the supermarket line buying powerade, Scott asks the cashier (who doesn't speak English + is looking at Scott like he is crazy) + this nice woman behind him says she lives near the station + will bring us. Thank god! So she brings us there + it takes like 10 mins to walk. Amazing. Then we get to the station + get tickets + then realize that we could have just gone from S.L.

So now we are waiting for our train + will be in Florence by 330. Luckily the Academia where David is, is open from 815am to 650pm, so we will either go when we get in or wake up early. And the station is supposedly really close to our hotel! More adventures with Scott + Lauren coming soon...

Breakfast in bed

Our B+B

We stayed at a wonderful bed + breakfast in Venice that made me swoon. They brought us croissants + hot chocolate + OJ at 9 am. Ah the life.

We spent the day wandering the streets of Venice. We went to San Marco's square but soon decided the area was too touristy + overpriced for us. So we headed back near our b+b which had a ton of cute restaurants + shops nearby. We probably ate about 6 meals in the course of 8 hours, but hey we were soaking up the culture.

Our first meal was quite the disappointment. Scott got a pizza with egg + I got tortillini with meat sauce (aka chef boyardee). After this meal we wandered to San Marco's, decided we liked our previous area + preceded to wander back. Wandering consists of randomly picking little side roads, asking directions on every corner, + somehow making it to our destination! Since venice is known for glass blowing, I bought a wine stopper. I'm not sure if it really works because we tried it in a bottle of wine + it didn't stay. Ha.

Our next meal was a spinach + ricotta torte thing that was decent but I have had better.
We stopped in at our hotel for a bathroom break + to freshen up. Most amazing shower of the trip. I definitely loved our hotel.

We continued on for a bottle of wine at a cafe + the very nice man gave us some prosciutto on bread sticks just because. I think the Italians are so nice! Our next stop was the cafe with the dog, who I loved loved loved! He didn't feel the same way, especially when I was holding him.

We then had gnocchi with tomato sauce(an appetizer to dinner), which was actually quite delicious.

Our last meal included chicken (Scott) + gnocchi with cheese (me). Yum.

After sampling venice's cuisine, I consulted with Catie who reaffirmed my fears that Venice's food is not the 'best of Italy'. We are on a water taxi to Florence right now + I certainly hope Florence proves to be more delicious than Venice.

Scott is currently leaning over the rail on the back of the water taxi bc he had a little too much wine too drink last night. Don't worry mom + dad, I am wide awake + ready to see 'David'.