Florence
I was pretty touristy here doing the things that everyone does and enjoyed all the sites but blew through money like crazy. Keeping this entry short since no super crazy stories so much here minus some interesting characters at the hostel and the friendliest hostel stay i have ever met. Also, managed to wander into Snooki and Mike the Situation from Jersey Shore filming in a pizza restaurant!
I have a list somewhere of what there was to do. If interested just ask me for it.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Roma and La Spezia
Roma (what I can remember of 16 or so days ago)
So much in the past few days... I don't even know where to begin. Guess I could start with being lost, a common theme on this trip. Got into Frascati from Bari. Tiny little town, I had no idea where the bus stop was talked to an old woman who gesticulated and spoke a bunch of Italian. Honestly, if you know Spanish, Italian isn't far off minus the accent ("It'sa me-a Mario!"). Figured out to stand by this tiny bus stand and waited for a long while before it came. Got off after seeing signs saying Montecompatri but we could have easily been in some other village.
Anywyas after wandering an additional hour after getting off the bus, finally found the place.
I stayed with Patrick from Essex at his "house." He is no carpenter, handyman, or etc. but is trying to build his entire home himself. I actually wasn't put off by it at all despite it literally being a 2-story shed like structure (think Great Depression) plus sawdust and tools everywhere. Probably one of the nicest individuals I have ever met, despite being a bit... Unorganized. He hitchhiked across South Africa and Colombia before. Freaking nuts. Anyways if you were following my FB posts from a while ago, I did moon all of Rome, but unintentionally. The shower is literally a little fixture rigged in a corner of the house and we set up a big wooden board as the "door." I hung my towel on some of the wall supports so I had to move the door and take a few steps out of the shower to get to it. What I didn't realize at the time was that Patrick had unscrewed the massive "windows," hence I mooned all of Rome. Got to do some cool stuff in Montrcompatri like zoom around on a Vespa, see all of Rome and Vatican from the roof of a house on a hillside, go to a harpsichord recital, share food with locals.
There was a Russian couple from Minsk, Vlad and Irene, who was staying there as well, which made things even more interesting. The dinner we had where Vlad explained Russian humor was very hilarious, the jokes didn't always make sense to me and Patrick but were still very funny. The two were great company, having a good time always. The first day we missed the intercity bus into town twice, but it wasn't so bad. They even cooked us all lunch once. Also, it was interesting to learn more about Russia. Just how cheap everything is like cell phone bills, utilities, and food. 50EU feeds 4 people for a week.
Made my way fast and furiously through everything in the next few days, Vatican City, Colosseum, Di Trevi, etc. The free walking tour (I think i did NewEurope) really lent a great hand to finding the best local stops, such as the Real best cappuchinos in Rome at San Eustaccio and not the other place everyone else says is the best. When I went to museums and other places like the Sistine Chapel, I brought along my iPod touch to use the Rick Steves (thanks Jas for introducing me to your friend) iPod app. He has these free walking tour audio guides that provide a great deal of very interesting information as you view certain art pieces, conveniently shown on the app in case you can't find or recognize it. Great for a guy on a budget and isn't an art history major.
Despite Patrick's very much appreciated hospitality and kindness, I decided that one day 4 I would stay in town. On CS I found a couple of girls from the US that were looking for a place the same time I was. I contacted them to split a hotel room in town. Mai and Michelle from Miami were an interesting duo. As I have traveled alone for a while and just the way I am, I set lots of objectives, things to see/do/eat, but these two were super chill about everything. It wasn't conflictive, it was maybe even a bit complementary. I met up with them after they went about on an itinerary I put in place for them. Grabbed some wine and got cappuchino at the aforementioned place, which took a bit of talking to several locals, and also some food and wine which we finished sitting in front of the Pantheon, probably my favorite building. I really wished I had gone to it the first day the first day so that the rain would have been coming down in the middle of the building. Anyways the two were big stoners and gave me all sorts of tips on what to buy in Amsterdam and also described the sex show they went to... which consisted of fat people sex and some lactation. Gross. They had some other great stories as well.
Got my IPod touch stolen at Roma Termini, bah.
---
Next stop!
Onto La Spezia to hike and see the spectacular views from La Cinque Terre. Ended only doing Portovenere, a nearby town. What an amazing place if only for a couple of hours. Old Moorish church on the edge of a cliff which meets the ocean. Got there at sunset, and it really was a view to die for. There were gardens there and also a seaside cemetery. I want to be cremated when I die and have my ashes spread into the ocean, but if I were to be in a grave, I would want it to be here so I could stare at the waves breaking against the cliff and get amazing sunsets every day. Got back and Ernesto had prepared an amazing seafood pasta dinner along with some mashed potatoes, but unlike anything in the States, I had seen it at some restaurants before. So good :-) probably the best 1-2 hour activity (not including travel time) on this trip, I definitely took the bus the wrong way for a while and was in nowhere Italy hanging out with two other guys at this random bus stop in the mountains.
Stayed with Ernesto for an evening, a quiet Italian, whose Spanish was better than his English. His place was immaculate, quite opposite of Rome. I realized on this trip I greatly enjoyed alternating cities with smaller villages or some nature. No matter how beautiful these cities are made into in movies and so on, they are still cities filled with dirty streets, hobos who piss everywhere, crowded subways, and so on. Don't get me wrong the sites are amazing, but they are usually in crowded, touristic, polluted cities. Ernesto was quite well travelled in small towns like Lucca, Sienna, as well as some in Portugal, Morocco. His photos were amazing, and hopefully I will get to take some of my own in those places as well.
So much in the past few days... I don't even know where to begin. Guess I could start with being lost, a common theme on this trip. Got into Frascati from Bari. Tiny little town, I had no idea where the bus stop was talked to an old woman who gesticulated and spoke a bunch of Italian. Honestly, if you know Spanish, Italian isn't far off minus the accent ("It'sa me-a Mario!"). Figured out to stand by this tiny bus stand and waited for a long while before it came. Got off after seeing signs saying Montecompatri but we could have easily been in some other village.
Anywyas after wandering an additional hour after getting off the bus, finally found the place.
I stayed with Patrick from Essex at his "house." He is no carpenter, handyman, or etc. but is trying to build his entire home himself. I actually wasn't put off by it at all despite it literally being a 2-story shed like structure (think Great Depression) plus sawdust and tools everywhere. Probably one of the nicest individuals I have ever met, despite being a bit... Unorganized. He hitchhiked across South Africa and Colombia before. Freaking nuts. Anyways if you were following my FB posts from a while ago, I did moon all of Rome, but unintentionally. The shower is literally a little fixture rigged in a corner of the house and we set up a big wooden board as the "door." I hung my towel on some of the wall supports so I had to move the door and take a few steps out of the shower to get to it. What I didn't realize at the time was that Patrick had unscrewed the massive "windows," hence I mooned all of Rome. Got to do some cool stuff in Montrcompatri like zoom around on a Vespa, see all of Rome and Vatican from the roof of a house on a hillside, go to a harpsichord recital, share food with locals.
There was a Russian couple from Minsk, Vlad and Irene, who was staying there as well, which made things even more interesting. The dinner we had where Vlad explained Russian humor was very hilarious, the jokes didn't always make sense to me and Patrick but were still very funny. The two were great company, having a good time always. The first day we missed the intercity bus into town twice, but it wasn't so bad. They even cooked us all lunch once. Also, it was interesting to learn more about Russia. Just how cheap everything is like cell phone bills, utilities, and food. 50EU feeds 4 people for a week.
Made my way fast and furiously through everything in the next few days, Vatican City, Colosseum, Di Trevi, etc. The free walking tour (I think i did NewEurope) really lent a great hand to finding the best local stops, such as the Real best cappuchinos in Rome at San Eustaccio and not the other place everyone else says is the best. When I went to museums and other places like the Sistine Chapel, I brought along my iPod touch to use the Rick Steves (thanks Jas for introducing me to your friend) iPod app. He has these free walking tour audio guides that provide a great deal of very interesting information as you view certain art pieces, conveniently shown on the app in case you can't find or recognize it. Great for a guy on a budget and isn't an art history major.
Despite Patrick's very much appreciated hospitality and kindness, I decided that one day 4 I would stay in town. On CS I found a couple of girls from the US that were looking for a place the same time I was. I contacted them to split a hotel room in town. Mai and Michelle from Miami were an interesting duo. As I have traveled alone for a while and just the way I am, I set lots of objectives, things to see/do/eat, but these two were super chill about everything. It wasn't conflictive, it was maybe even a bit complementary. I met up with them after they went about on an itinerary I put in place for them. Grabbed some wine and got cappuchino at the aforementioned place, which took a bit of talking to several locals, and also some food and wine which we finished sitting in front of the Pantheon, probably my favorite building. I really wished I had gone to it the first day the first day so that the rain would have been coming down in the middle of the building. Anyways the two were big stoners and gave me all sorts of tips on what to buy in Amsterdam and also described the sex show they went to... which consisted of fat people sex and some lactation. Gross. They had some other great stories as well.
Got my IPod touch stolen at Roma Termini, bah.
---
Next stop!
Onto La Spezia to hike and see the spectacular views from La Cinque Terre. Ended only doing Portovenere, a nearby town. What an amazing place if only for a couple of hours. Old Moorish church on the edge of a cliff which meets the ocean. Got there at sunset, and it really was a view to die for. There were gardens there and also a seaside cemetery. I want to be cremated when I die and have my ashes spread into the ocean, but if I were to be in a grave, I would want it to be here so I could stare at the waves breaking against the cliff and get amazing sunsets every day. Got back and Ernesto had prepared an amazing seafood pasta dinner along with some mashed potatoes, but unlike anything in the States, I had seen it at some restaurants before. So good :-) probably the best 1-2 hour activity (not including travel time) on this trip, I definitely took the bus the wrong way for a while and was in nowhere Italy hanging out with two other guys at this random bus stop in the mountains.
Stayed with Ernesto for an evening, a quiet Italian, whose Spanish was better than his English. His place was immaculate, quite opposite of Rome. I realized on this trip I greatly enjoyed alternating cities with smaller villages or some nature. No matter how beautiful these cities are made into in movies and so on, they are still cities filled with dirty streets, hobos who piss everywhere, crowded subways, and so on. Don't get me wrong the sites are amazing, but they are usually in crowded, touristic, polluted cities. Ernesto was quite well travelled in small towns like Lucca, Sienna, as well as some in Portugal, Morocco. His photos were amazing, and hopefully I will get to take some of my own in those places as well.
Hiatus.
Hiatus
I have been on blog hiatus for over 2 weeks?
Been way caught up on just meeting people, going out, having long conversations, taking paseos (walks), just... living. At this point, don't know what to really write about. Seeing amazing and incredible things everyday or learning about everyone's life stories. Too much, not any time to write it down, but alas I will try to jot some things down.
Lot easier for someone just to ask me about a city and I could go on and on about what I did there, the people I met, and so on.
---
Update 6/27/11
Well... All trains are booked for Bruges from Paris until 2 pm so I guess I have an additional 5 hours to hang out at Gare du Nord... Or at least the McD's across from it. Time to blog. Would go into town again but it is a serious drain on the wallet, next time, Paris!
I have been on blog hiatus for over 2 weeks?
Been way caught up on just meeting people, going out, having long conversations, taking paseos (walks), just... living. At this point, don't know what to really write about. Seeing amazing and incredible things everyday or learning about everyone's life stories. Too much, not any time to write it down, but alas I will try to jot some things down.
Lot easier for someone just to ask me about a city and I could go on and on about what I did there, the people I met, and so on.
---
Update 6/27/11
Well... All trains are booked for Bruges from Paris until 2 pm so I guess I have an additional 5 hours to hang out at Gare du Nord... Or at least the McD's across from it. Time to blog. Would go into town again but it is a serious drain on the wallet, next time, Paris!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Gyro Greece
Port police
Got checked for passport twice at Patras while trying to leave. This following the worst, and hottest bus ride of my life. The policeman who asked for my passport the first time was hanging out of the Port Police building's doorway and the whole situation was super sketchy, but after he showed his badge, I figured it would be better if I just complied than walk away. He spent forever looking it over and I was clueless as hell in the building. There were about 5 other men there "working" but it really didn't seem like it.
Walked about 200m leaving to make it to the port terminal when a van with port police stopped me and interrogated me, looked over my passport with magnifying glasses, etc. Pretty sick of it at this point, as I w trying to catch my ferry.
Not a Chinese terrorist, kthx!
Got checked for passport twice at Patras while trying to leave. This following the worst, and hottest bus ride of my life. The policeman who asked for my passport the first time was hanging out of the Port Police building's doorway and the whole situation was super sketchy, but after he showed his badge, I figured it would be better if I just complied than walk away. He spent forever looking it over and I was clueless as hell in the building. There were about 5 other men there "working" but it really didn't seem like it.
Walked about 200m leaving to make it to the port terminal when a van with port police stopped me and interrogated me, looked over my passport with magnifying glasses, etc. Pretty sick of it at this point, as I w trying to catch my ferry.
Not a Chinese terrorist, kthx!
Greece
Got out of Verona and made port luckily catching the Superfast Ferry in Ancona over to Patra and then bus to Athens. Turned out my cabin mate on the ferry was a middle-aged man from San Diego, who has couch surfed part of his trip and booked some pretty interesting places in between. Some great websites out there where you can book empty apartments for a weekend, etc.
Wasn't easy, but I am used to this unorganized travel of East and Southern Europe, asking people where the hell to go next.
Got into Athens a bit earlier than expected and Tiago, my next host (a Portuguese guy on a work exchange program) Tiago meet me at Syntagma, essentially city center and the metro exit situated right across from the Parliament building. The square was bustling with protectors and demonstrators as well as police with several streets blocked off with their giant vans. There was a horde of motorcycles that drove around the square repeatedly honking and revving their engines, making as much noise as possible. Really something to see.
---
Decided to camp out in McD's that was so prominently situated at the corner. As much as I hate fast food, gotta love McDonald's. It has the 3 things a person needs:
1) food
2) shelter (roof and bathroom)
3) Internet
Seriously, every is always on their smartphones or on wifi. Anyways, was also getting fed up with paying to use the restrooms, so I ordered something super cheap.
When we finally met up walked past the police barriers and onto the street with all the embassies and where the ambassadors lived from Italy, Canada, and so on. Came when the guards were changing. Got to be the most ridiculous military wear I have ever seen. The past is a funny thing.
Finally getting to his place, met his half naked and hairy Portuguese flatmates as well as a couple girls from U of F who were couch surfing there too. Chilled that night with them and some of their Greek friends who came over and was just prepping a plan for tomorrow. George, their greek friend, showed us Youtube videos he found of their boss that was recently fired. The guy was actually crazy, playing sax upside down, ghostbusting with his brother, flying planes ridiculously close to sailboats. So strange. Anyways, some great wine that night!
---
Did all the ancient ruins and other sites during the day, Acropolis, etc.
Really enjoyed the new Acropolis museum, not just because it was a break from the heat.
Met the China CSer who had taken a trip , he had come back from visiting Meteora (AMAZING monasteries on the peaks of cliffs). On that point, I am going to make note of continuing to see more of the UNESCO World Heritage sites throughout my life. Truly amazing places and sights.
Went to the Exaercia (sp?) late at night. It's where the young people hang out and you meet all sorts of people. Grabbed souvlaki in thr way which was yummy and super cheap. Like a greek burrito for simplicity's sake. 2 euros! The area looks extremely sketchy with people wearing punk attire and some homeless people, from the looks of it, but it is actually pretty safe apparently. Feels like People's Park at Cal. People playing music, discussing politics, drinking beers, smoking, all sorts of stuff. Saw the ugliest game of street ball on the worst court ever too, won't forget that.
Countless police out tonight. Not just in the city but even residential streets. Toting riot shields, submachine guns, etc.
Great time in Greece, but next time will bypass Athens and other crowded, polluted cities and go straight to the islands for a vacation on those glorious beaches.
---
Greek girls...
How do I put this, I have caught myself staring more than I ever have in any other country. Truly stunning women here. The other guys agree, Greek women are "very nice (italics)." Tiago tells me about one time he is walking on the sidewalk and spots the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. He can't help but stare but a few meters later he runs into a pole, haha.
Wasn't easy, but I am used to this unorganized travel of East and Southern Europe, asking people where the hell to go next.
Got into Athens a bit earlier than expected and Tiago, my next host (a Portuguese guy on a work exchange program) Tiago meet me at Syntagma, essentially city center and the metro exit situated right across from the Parliament building. The square was bustling with protectors and demonstrators as well as police with several streets blocked off with their giant vans. There was a horde of motorcycles that drove around the square repeatedly honking and revving their engines, making as much noise as possible. Really something to see.
---
Decided to camp out in McD's that was so prominently situated at the corner. As much as I hate fast food, gotta love McDonald's. It has the 3 things a person needs:
1) food
2) shelter (roof and bathroom)
3) Internet
Seriously, every is always on their smartphones or on wifi. Anyways, was also getting fed up with paying to use the restrooms, so I ordered something super cheap.
When we finally met up walked past the police barriers and onto the street with all the embassies and where the ambassadors lived from Italy, Canada, and so on. Came when the guards were changing. Got to be the most ridiculous military wear I have ever seen. The past is a funny thing.
Finally getting to his place, met his half naked and hairy Portuguese flatmates as well as a couple girls from U of F who were couch surfing there too. Chilled that night with them and some of their Greek friends who came over and was just prepping a plan for tomorrow. George, their greek friend, showed us Youtube videos he found of their boss that was recently fired. The guy was actually crazy, playing sax upside down, ghostbusting with his brother, flying planes ridiculously close to sailboats. So strange. Anyways, some great wine that night!
---
Did all the ancient ruins and other sites during the day, Acropolis, etc.
Really enjoyed the new Acropolis museum, not just because it was a break from the heat.
Met the China CSer who had taken a trip , he had come back from visiting Meteora (AMAZING monasteries on the peaks of cliffs). On that point, I am going to make note of continuing to see more of the UNESCO World Heritage sites throughout my life. Truly amazing places and sights.
Went to the Exaercia (sp?) late at night. It's where the young people hang out and you meet all sorts of people. Grabbed souvlaki in thr way which was yummy and super cheap. Like a greek burrito for simplicity's sake. 2 euros! The area looks extremely sketchy with people wearing punk attire and some homeless people, from the looks of it, but it is actually pretty safe apparently. Feels like People's Park at Cal. People playing music, discussing politics, drinking beers, smoking, all sorts of stuff. Saw the ugliest game of street ball on the worst court ever too, won't forget that.
Countless police out tonight. Not just in the city but even residential streets. Toting riot shields, submachine guns, etc.
Great time in Greece, but next time will bypass Athens and other crowded, polluted cities and go straight to the islands for a vacation on those glorious beaches.
---
Greek girls...
How do I put this, I have caught myself staring more than I ever have in any other country. Truly stunning women here. The other guys agree, Greek women are "very nice (italics)." Tiago tells me about one time he is walking on the sidewalk and spots the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. He can't help but stare but a few meters later he runs into a pole, haha.
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