There is so much to report, and it seems I have become a little slack with the actual writing of posts. In 3 sleeps I am going to be curling up in my little bed with Cocoa-puss and the warm hum of home. As much as I have been having an amazing time as a wandering soul, the lure of Home is strong and the promise of a healthier life is just around the corner. It's impossible for me to do justice to the complete tapestry of these travels in one fell swoop, so I will just give you a brief outline.
Comments have been like a breath of fresh air from home. Thanks all, (particularly Mum and Dad and Dan...)
Paris
Our six nights here were well spent. Four nights were spent at the Hostel Andre Gill, where we were up a few flights of stairs in a cosy double room that got lots of the daylight. The area was the Montmartre - the area renowned for its early 20th Century reputation for artists and prostitutes. We were right around the corner from the famed Moulin Rouge and the 'colourful' district of nightclubs, tourists and red light 'entertainment'. It didn't feel much like the Nicole Kidman film actually... much much seedier, but the beauty of that area was in the gaps. I enjoyed the dirty rawness, and the way that in a bed of flat-earthed Paris, that Montmartre was like a rising beacon in the shadow of the amazing Sacre Coeur cathedral.
The four nights at the first hostel included one day of total nothingness. It was wonderful to just read and not be hurried or worried about what touristic delights we would experience. Another day involved waking up very early and going out of Paris proper and spending the day in Disneyland. Oh. My. Goodness. I was a little sceptical about how much I would enjoy such an Americana fiesta of Schmaltz and commericialism. I never, ever needed to be worried. I loved every second of it, from the disney music playing all across the park non-stop, to the Mary Poppins show, to the rides that scared us out of our wits, to the happy kids all around, to the fake castle and to all the glamour of the kiddie-ness that comes with actually going to Disneyland. Apart from the French signs and bilingual staff we could have actually been in America. It was very strange but also familiar... in some ways more familiar than Paris!
We had such a lot of fun. We rode on the Indiana Jones Roller Coaster which looped upside down, and checked out lots of the little shops. The Pirates of the Carribean ride was on water and was fun but not quite scary enough. Of note, and in no way detracting from the day, was that 2 rides actually broke down with us on them. The worst one was a scary, spinning, Finding Nemo rollercoaster, which rotates 360 degrees while going through the rollercoaster motions in the pitch black. And when we were going top speed it just stopped. The lights came on. An announcement was broadcast in French. And I was panicking! But sooner rather than later it was apparent that it had broken down and they got the Jaws of Life tool to come and release us ... it was uber scary. But the day was fun. We played at Disneyland for 12hours straight.
Other things of note in Paris will have to wait. Sadly my internet time is up and we have to traipse to Sarah's place after arriving from Morroco this afternoon. So, so much to tell you all and so little time it seems... :D
Love to all and sundry
xoxo
See you 12.30am on Sunday morning on an Emirates flight from Dubai!
Jul 24, 2008
Jul 21, 2008
A little less torn
Now I have vented, I feel much better. I have so much to tell you all.
I sit at Gatwick Airport in London, and tonight we are staying nearby in preparation for a 6am flight to Africa- Morocco. We arrived in London about lunchtime yesterday from Paris via the tube. It was a surprisingly quick trip and after four eventful nights in Paris I was excited to be in an English speaking country again. It only dawned on me today I haven't yet been in an English Speaking country since I left more than a month ago. It felt a bit like home. Last night we stayed at Sarah's lovely abode and today we enjoyed some Marketing.
I wont be able I am guessing, to be online for 2 days. I get back to London on Wednesday our time.
Love you all and miss you
xx
I sit at Gatwick Airport in London, and tonight we are staying nearby in preparation for a 6am flight to Africa- Morocco. We arrived in London about lunchtime yesterday from Paris via the tube. It was a surprisingly quick trip and after four eventful nights in Paris I was excited to be in an English speaking country again. It only dawned on me today I haven't yet been in an English Speaking country since I left more than a month ago. It felt a bit like home. Last night we stayed at Sarah's lovely abode and today we enjoyed some Marketing.
I wont be able I am guessing, to be online for 2 days. I get back to London on Wednesday our time.
Love you all and miss you
xx
A little bit torn
I am starting to feel a little homesick. I miss my family, and I miss my friends. I miss my kitty cat. And I am excited at the prospect that in less than a week I will be in my own bed, sleeping as late as I like for a couple of days at least, and I will be able to eat green vegies. I am totally over take away and unidentifiable food. And I am so tired.
So, okay this one is a complete whinge, and for the most part I am really really excited. I could happily come home for a week or so and then return for another month of exploration. I have definitely found my travel sea-legs and I am reluctant to relinquish it... but I must.
Either way at midnight-ish on Saturday night I will be home. Anyone want to pick me up?? :D
I have a hankering for Chicken Chow Min, mum.
xx
So, okay this one is a complete whinge, and for the most part I am really really excited. I could happily come home for a week or so and then return for another month of exploration. I have definitely found my travel sea-legs and I am reluctant to relinquish it... but I must.
Either way at midnight-ish on Saturday night I will be home. Anyone want to pick me up?? :D
I have a hankering for Chicken Chow Min, mum.
xx
Jul 15, 2008
As promised...
Here are pics from Prague:
This is Charles St Bridge in the middle of Prague. Luckily the place where we stayed was really close by... the end of our street in fact! It's an ancient bridge that spans the main river in Prague. It has little artist markets all across the bridge not unlike the Esplanade Markets in St Kilda.
The view from the top of the bridge. It was so rqiny the day in Prague, but I think on a clear day here, as the song goes, you could see forever.
Prague is not a town of canals but it fascinated me that there was space for water to flow under the buildings.
The first beer of the night in Prague... hehe. We had fun that night.
In Prague on our way to the palace we stumbled across this amazing church. It cost quite a bit to get in but goodness was it grand. And ever so much gold!
The view over Prague.
Buttercup and Prague. Czech out that cheeky grin!
Buttercup and the cathedral at Prague castle. The line to get in was mental but I can see why. It looked so ornate.
The famed Prague Astronomical Clock. I loved the design of this: beautiful.
Another Prague church... look at those spires!
The New-Old Synagogue. The oldest surviving European synagogue. I was so glad we went here.
AMSTERDAM GOODNESS
Febo: vending machine world of heated grease.
Looking at the types that were rushing to eat this stuff would put you off it. It all looked gross.
Amsterdam canal by night.
Not the real Moulin Rouge... but in Amsterdam's Red Light District.
Canal by day
The boredest and saddest mannequin in Amsterdam
I got yelled at for taking this pic. Real Red Light Windows.
We hired a bike :)
Cheese in Amsterdam at market. Yum!
This is Charles St Bridge in the middle of Prague. Luckily the place where we stayed was really close by... the end of our street in fact! It's an ancient bridge that spans the main river in Prague. It has little artist markets all across the bridge not unlike the Esplanade Markets in St Kilda.
The view from the top of the bridge. It was so rqiny the day in Prague, but I think on a clear day here, as the song goes, you could see forever.
Prague is not a town of canals but it fascinated me that there was space for water to flow under the buildings.
The first beer of the night in Prague... hehe. We had fun that night.
In Prague on our way to the palace we stumbled across this amazing church. It cost quite a bit to get in but goodness was it grand. And ever so much gold!
The view over Prague.
Buttercup and Prague. Czech out that cheeky grin!
Buttercup and the cathedral at Prague castle. The line to get in was mental but I can see why. It looked so ornate.
The famed Prague Astronomical Clock. I loved the design of this: beautiful.
Another Prague church... look at those spires!
The New-Old Synagogue. The oldest surviving European synagogue. I was so glad we went here.
AMSTERDAM GOODNESS
Febo: vending machine world of heated grease.
Looking at the types that were rushing to eat this stuff would put you off it. It all looked gross.
Amsterdam canal by night.
Not the real Moulin Rouge... but in Amsterdam's Red Light District.
Canal by day
The boredest and saddest mannequin in Amsterdam
I got yelled at for taking this pic. Real Red Light Windows.
We hired a bike :)
Cheese in Amsterdam at market. Yum!
Jul 11, 2008
Prague and Amsterdam and where is our sunny weather?
As I write this we sit in an internet cafe in Amsterdam. For the last few days it has been rainy and jumper-wearing worthy. More than a couple of times in the last 4 days I have thanked the heavens for my tights and boots and warm clothes, although I think I provided an amusing sight for the locals here in Amsterdam yesterday as I paraded in my trackies, birkenstockes and light t-shirt as we waited for our laundry to be finished. Actually, that is worth mentioning methinks. I have thoroughly clean clothes. Hurrah!! For the 3 weeks I have been away I have become reacquainted with the wonders of hand washing and I can't convey the sheer delight of having non-smelly clothes all at once. A whole multitude of kilos of clothes to choose from. Yay. It sends a shiver of excitement down my back just thinking about it!
Now I have got that out of my system I should recount a little of the last few days.
Cesky Krumlov was beautiful. Quaint and medieval town which definitely felt a little like an 'attraction' - sovereign hill... it was actually authentic though! The view there was amazing and for me the highlight was seeing the bears in the moat. Brown bears. Which, I actually forgot to take a photo of. Damn it!
The train ride back to Prague was picturesque. I really enjoyed training both ways. It was relaxing and for the most part we had a compartment to ourselves. Although I think the trains we were on were straight out of the USSR circa 1958. They rattled along and the toilets themselves looked like Stasi prison toilets... and smelt a little like it too. I loved the antiquity of it. I felt like I was in a movie!! The language barrier in the Czech Republic was more noticable ... and when we were sold the Under 26 ticket by mistake at Cesky, we had some headaches on the train for not having the right tickets. (Incidentally the uniforms that the inspectors wear on the trains there look like they come straight out of a Russian Bride porn flick... so seedy and short!) But ticket issues aside we managed through and had some great time getting into Prague.
Our digs in Prague were right in the centre of the tourist part of the Old Town... right down the road from Charles St Bridge, and we were in a comfy room to ourselves. We ended up getting there after 6 and so had a shower, went for dinner at a restaurant called U-Cok-U, and then went for a party on the town. Enjoyed a fabulously seedy venue and danced around many a mojito.
We dragged ourselves out the following day (much to my suprise and satisfaction) and went to see the Prague sights: Charles St Bridge, the Castle, the Astronomical Clock and the New-Old Jewish Synagogue. All that and then we went to the airport and got ourselves to Amsterdam!! So impressed!!
Amsterdam is a vibrant city. On first impressions it seems much like Berlin... I like it here a lot. Had a wander around yesterday and had a stroll through the Red Light District last night... more to tell but only 4 mins remaining of my time. Poo!
I will be sure to write about it here.
I miss you all. Love and kisses for everyone. Thanks for the comments (and the ones on the photos were cool too! Only just found them Mum and Dad)
xoxox
Now I have got that out of my system I should recount a little of the last few days.
Cesky Krumlov was beautiful. Quaint and medieval town which definitely felt a little like an 'attraction' - sovereign hill... it was actually authentic though! The view there was amazing and for me the highlight was seeing the bears in the moat. Brown bears. Which, I actually forgot to take a photo of. Damn it!
The train ride back to Prague was picturesque. I really enjoyed training both ways. It was relaxing and for the most part we had a compartment to ourselves. Although I think the trains we were on were straight out of the USSR circa 1958. They rattled along and the toilets themselves looked like Stasi prison toilets... and smelt a little like it too. I loved the antiquity of it. I felt like I was in a movie!! The language barrier in the Czech Republic was more noticable ... and when we were sold the Under 26 ticket by mistake at Cesky, we had some headaches on the train for not having the right tickets. (Incidentally the uniforms that the inspectors wear on the trains there look like they come straight out of a Russian Bride porn flick... so seedy and short!) But ticket issues aside we managed through and had some great time getting into Prague.
Our digs in Prague were right in the centre of the tourist part of the Old Town... right down the road from Charles St Bridge, and we were in a comfy room to ourselves. We ended up getting there after 6 and so had a shower, went for dinner at a restaurant called U-Cok-U, and then went for a party on the town. Enjoyed a fabulously seedy venue and danced around many a mojito.
We dragged ourselves out the following day (much to my suprise and satisfaction) and went to see the Prague sights: Charles St Bridge, the Castle, the Astronomical Clock and the New-Old Jewish Synagogue. All that and then we went to the airport and got ourselves to Amsterdam!! So impressed!!
Amsterdam is a vibrant city. On first impressions it seems much like Berlin... I like it here a lot. Had a wander around yesterday and had a stroll through the Red Light District last night... more to tell but only 4 mins remaining of my time. Poo!
I will be sure to write about it here.
I miss you all. Love and kisses for everyone. Thanks for the comments (and the ones on the photos were cool too! Only just found them Mum and Dad)
xoxox
Jul 9, 2008
Beating my record
This, my friends is the most brief post in the world.
Got to Prague (or Praha as it's known here) with not much ado... except some ticket issues... and had a great night out last night. Am happy and safe and flying to Amsterdam tonight. Looking forward to it!
I will write more about it in the next couple of days, but Prague is such a stunning city. So ancient and gothic and beautiful. I have enjoyed my time here. Yay for Amsterdam and spending more than a couple of nights (4 in fact!) in one place. Hurrah!
So, with a seedy belly and hungover head I bid you adieu and send love.
xoxo
Got to Prague (or Praha as it's known here) with not much ado... except some ticket issues... and had a great night out last night. Am happy and safe and flying to Amsterdam tonight. Looking forward to it!
I will write more about it in the next couple of days, but Prague is such a stunning city. So ancient and gothic and beautiful. I have enjoyed my time here. Yay for Amsterdam and spending more than a couple of nights (4 in fact!) in one place. Hurrah!
So, with a seedy belly and hungover head I bid you adieu and send love.
xoxo
Jul 8, 2008
Two towns, nearly three
The last few days have been fantastic. I have had the opportunity to experience my Italian dream: Venice, and it sure was worth waiting for! The canals were just like I had imagined them all those years ago with Mr Miccuci in Italian at Sunvale... they really don't have roads!! We got to catch a water taxi around venice, and they have stops like stations on the canals.
Where we were staying in Venice was actually pretty cute. Kudos to Tanya who booked most of the accommodation, and I was so enchanted with where we stayed in Venice. It was basically someone's Venetian home (hmm... no Venetian biscuits there. How disappointing!) and they had set it up as a B&B. We had a cozy little room and it suited us well.
Venice was very lively. So many tourists, and so many references to Cammedia Dell'Arte characters (which I loved studying at school) and so much to see. I was a bit sad that we only had one night there, next to Siena, Venice was definitely my favourite place I went to in Italy. It
was just so different to anything you have the opportunity to see at home. And like the reports have said, you can see that it is an entire city that is slowly sinking. I always expected the canals to be smelly, and I actually was suprised at how clean they look! As much as it would have been nice to take a gondola ride, they are hugely expensive, and i was happy just perched on a water bus travelling around the canals. I think perhaps my sea legs may not have extended to a gondola ride, as extravagent as they are!
Two nights ago we headed for a full big day of travel: water bus to a bus stop in Venice, Bus from Venice to Treviso airport, Plane from treviso to Prague and then the transport dilemma of navigating relatively blindly through Prague to find our way out to the south of the Czech Rep to Cesky Krumlov. Suprisingly we managed without a word of Czech between us, and weren't too put off from the rude airport staff. We hopped 2 trains out into the middle of nowhere and ended up here in C. Krumlov. A place that feels like an diasporic Fitzroy. So many Australians here, and our hostel is run by Aussies, but oh my goodness. This place is paradise. It has been the first place we've needed jumpers for warmth, but nestled in the mountains near the Austrian and German borders, this place is like a little fairytale hamlet. It even has a castle with Bears in the moat! While we've been here we've been staying in a lovely loft room and have had a chance to have some quiet time, as well as getting out and checking out the town, which I aptly described as 'Daylesford on Medieval Speed'. It is full on little artist colony with cobbled streets and a fantastic vegetarian restaurant. My body is thanking me for nutritious food and I am feeling a little better for some quiet time.
We are heading back to Prague today and our train leaves in less than an hour so I can't stay for ages. I will try to post soon. One night in prague (tonight) and then it's off to Amsterdam for 4 nights. Yay!
I am having a great time and seeing some fantastic things. Tanya has been lovely and is letting me use her second camera, so here are a few choice pics for you all. I am so glad I decided to come away, but I am missing home and missing you all.
xx
Tanya about to hop on the train to Venice. A nice Eurostar train with air con and the whole bit. And little Harry Potter compartments too!
This is me. I'm only cursing a little bit that sleeping bag I brought but haven't had need for. I will need some serious massage at home. Anyone offering??
Venice by night. Not a special bridge or anything. The whole city looks like this. It was magic.
A typical canal with Gondola and water taxis in the background. They are not unlike Sydney ferries.
Mr Gondola. I made the mistake of almost stepping out in a stripey top ... we may have been mistaken for siblings!
Cesky Krumlov by night. This is just a church... and it is stunning.
This is the Cesky castle in the background. Oh my I love this place. I so want to come back.
This is the train we came on... and i will be on it again in about half an hour.
So love to you all.
oxoxox
Where we were staying in Venice was actually pretty cute. Kudos to Tanya who booked most of the accommodation, and I was so enchanted with where we stayed in Venice. It was basically someone's Venetian home (hmm... no Venetian biscuits there. How disappointing!) and they had set it up as a B&B. We had a cozy little room and it suited us well.
Venice was very lively. So many tourists, and so many references to Cammedia Dell'Arte characters (which I loved studying at school) and so much to see. I was a bit sad that we only had one night there, next to Siena, Venice was definitely my favourite place I went to in Italy. It
was just so different to anything you have the opportunity to see at home. And like the reports have said, you can see that it is an entire city that is slowly sinking. I always expected the canals to be smelly, and I actually was suprised at how clean they look! As much as it would have been nice to take a gondola ride, they are hugely expensive, and i was happy just perched on a water bus travelling around the canals. I think perhaps my sea legs may not have extended to a gondola ride, as extravagent as they are!
Two nights ago we headed for a full big day of travel: water bus to a bus stop in Venice, Bus from Venice to Treviso airport, Plane from treviso to Prague and then the transport dilemma of navigating relatively blindly through Prague to find our way out to the south of the Czech Rep to Cesky Krumlov. Suprisingly we managed without a word of Czech between us, and weren't too put off from the rude airport staff. We hopped 2 trains out into the middle of nowhere and ended up here in C. Krumlov. A place that feels like an diasporic Fitzroy. So many Australians here, and our hostel is run by Aussies, but oh my goodness. This place is paradise. It has been the first place we've needed jumpers for warmth, but nestled in the mountains near the Austrian and German borders, this place is like a little fairytale hamlet. It even has a castle with Bears in the moat! While we've been here we've been staying in a lovely loft room and have had a chance to have some quiet time, as well as getting out and checking out the town, which I aptly described as 'Daylesford on Medieval Speed'. It is full on little artist colony with cobbled streets and a fantastic vegetarian restaurant. My body is thanking me for nutritious food and I am feeling a little better for some quiet time.
We are heading back to Prague today and our train leaves in less than an hour so I can't stay for ages. I will try to post soon. One night in prague (tonight) and then it's off to Amsterdam for 4 nights. Yay!
I am having a great time and seeing some fantastic things. Tanya has been lovely and is letting me use her second camera, so here are a few choice pics for you all. I am so glad I decided to come away, but I am missing home and missing you all.
xx
Tanya about to hop on the train to Venice. A nice Eurostar train with air con and the whole bit. And little Harry Potter compartments too!This is me. I'm only cursing a little bit that sleeping bag I brought but haven't had need for. I will need some serious massage at home. Anyone offering??
Venice by night. Not a special bridge or anything. The whole city looks like this. It was magic.
A typical canal with Gondola and water taxis in the background. They are not unlike Sydney ferries.
Mr Gondola. I made the mistake of almost stepping out in a stripey top ... we may have been mistaken for siblings!Cesky Krumlov by night. This is just a church... and it is stunning.
This is the Cesky castle in the background. Oh my I love this place. I so want to come back.
This is the train we came on... and i will be on it again in about half an hour.So love to you all.
oxoxox
Jul 5, 2008
Farewell Florence
After 2 nights of glorious luxury - internet and plasma in room - we say farewell to Florence. It's been great coming here. The tuscan countryside view from the train is itself picturesque, but the city was definitely worth seeing. We've both been super tired the last couple of days and both days I have enjoyed a Nanna Nap, but it hasn't mattered.
We got to see some really cool things... of note, we went to the Uffizi Gallery. It's the largest gallery in Florence and it houses the old Medici collection. Up close and personal I got to see Botticelli's 'Birth of Venus' and Da Vinci's 'The Annunciation'. Apparently it is the biggest collection of Renaissance art outside of the Louvre. It was a full 0n few hours of wandering, and after a while they all begin to meld together, but I was grateful for the audio guide that gave me a new way to understand the paintings. How I wished Dan was there explaining things to me though...
This is only a short little blog cause in half an hour we catch a train for Venice. Only one night there and early tomorrow morning we fly out for the Czech Republic! So it will be farewell Italia. And I must say that although I have enjoyed it here (Siena being the shining highlight), I will be glad to leave Italy and onto a new adventure.
Love to everyone... if you're lurking here and haven't posted... I'd love to hear from you!!
xx
We got to see some really cool things... of note, we went to the Uffizi Gallery. It's the largest gallery in Florence and it houses the old Medici collection. Up close and personal I got to see Botticelli's 'Birth of Venus' and Da Vinci's 'The Annunciation'. Apparently it is the biggest collection of Renaissance art outside of the Louvre. It was a full 0n few hours of wandering, and after a while they all begin to meld together, but I was grateful for the audio guide that gave me a new way to understand the paintings. How I wished Dan was there explaining things to me though...
This is only a short little blog cause in half an hour we catch a train for Venice. Only one night there and early tomorrow morning we fly out for the Czech Republic! So it will be farewell Italia. And I must say that although I have enjoyed it here (Siena being the shining highlight), I will be glad to leave Italy and onto a new adventure.
Love to everyone... if you're lurking here and haven't posted... I'd love to hear from you!!
xx
Jul 3, 2008
Rome, Siena and Firenze
After 4 nights in Rome and 2 nights in Siena, it's official. I am thoroughly over Pizza. I can't even think about Pizza. I have eaten many varieties of Margarita pizza ... but no Pineapple *sorry Jen*. I have even had a pizza slice that is 3 handspands long! I can think kindly about pasta... but I am longing for some chips. Actually, I did have a really lovely dinner last night in the hotel restaurant in Siena. As the sun went down, Tanya and I ate red meat. Beautifully cooked beef in garlic and olive oil.
I enjoyed Rome, but I think it is not my favourite city in the world. I am glad I went, but overall it is not probably somewhere I would love to return. Although, I didn't get to see the Sistine Chapel, so maybe I would come back for that someday. It would be good to see the artwork that Michaelangelo went blind creating... but I think that is actually the limit of the things that took my fancy in Rome. I loved the coffee though. After Germany it was such a nice change. Made a difference after drinking German gunge... almost tasted like a Lavazza from Lygon St!
I think come Tuesday morning we were both pleased to be catching a train to Siena. The lure of a smaller town and a trip into the Tuscan countryside was enough to excite us both. There were fields and fields of the most gorgeous sunflowers on the way and it brought such a smile to my face each time I looked out of the window. The countryside was as I would expect, but so brown after Germany where everything was so green.
Siena was absolutely picturesque. It's a city that has a wall around it - left over from all the ancient wars, and inside the city are buildings that look like they come straight from a fairytale. Quaint little shops, cobbled laneways and buildings with shutters on them. The hotel we were staying in was just beautiful. We were lucky to get to stay anywhere at all in Siena, but thanks to some forward planning by T we got to stay in a lovely double private room with a beautiful bathroom and a shuttered window overlooking a church and street. I felt like such a princess in a fairytale opening up the shutters and looking out at the day.
While we were in Siena, their Palio festival http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palio_di_Siena
was held. It is a medieval contest between districts of Siena which culminates in a horsrace around the town Piazza where the only rule is that the rider cant grab the reigns of another jockey. The crowd is huge and we went in for two trial runs. I am very glad that we went to watch two in their entirety, because come the big day -yesterday- we tried to go into the main Piazza il Campo, and we waited in the square for 3 hours or more, staked out a great spot at the front, and then when we were in the frontline for a swarm of thousands of thousands of people... and they started charging at us, we thought it was time to leave. It was exhillarating and dangerous and after giving ourselves a fright we were happy to have forced our way out relatively unscathed. But I realised my camera got stolen. Boo. I am pretty cranky about it, but most of my photos were backed up and at least we were ok.
Two nights later we have moved on today to Florence. Its a bigger city than Siena and looks a lot like Rome. But there is so much art and culture and history here... and I am excited. We also have somewhere lovely to stay here and it is a real treat to have a computer in our room.
Am missing you all at home. So excited to hear that Dan and Nella and Mia have found a place. Congrats!! and have been so grateful for all the messages. I love you all.
xoxox
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The Italian Flag.
I enjoyed Rome, but I think it is not my favourite city in the world. I am glad I went, but overall it is not probably somewhere I would love to return. Although, I didn't get to see the Sistine Chapel, so maybe I would come back for that someday. It would be good to see the artwork that Michaelangelo went blind creating... but I think that is actually the limit of the things that took my fancy in Rome. I loved the coffee though. After Germany it was such a nice change. Made a difference after drinking German gunge... almost tasted like a Lavazza from Lygon St!
I think come Tuesday morning we were both pleased to be catching a train to Siena. The lure of a smaller town and a trip into the Tuscan countryside was enough to excite us both. There were fields and fields of the most gorgeous sunflowers on the way and it brought such a smile to my face each time I looked out of the window. The countryside was as I would expect, but so brown after Germany where everything was so green.
Siena was absolutely picturesque. It's a city that has a wall around it - left over from all the ancient wars, and inside the city are buildings that look like they come straight from a fairytale. Quaint little shops, cobbled laneways and buildings with shutters on them. The hotel we were staying in was just beautiful. We were lucky to get to stay anywhere at all in Siena, but thanks to some forward planning by T we got to stay in a lovely double private room with a beautiful bathroom and a shuttered window overlooking a church and street. I felt like such a princess in a fairytale opening up the shutters and looking out at the day.
While we were in Siena, their Palio festival http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palio_di_Siena
was held. It is a medieval contest between districts of Siena which culminates in a horsrace around the town Piazza where the only rule is that the rider cant grab the reigns of another jockey. The crowd is huge and we went in for two trial runs. I am very glad that we went to watch two in their entirety, because come the big day -yesterday- we tried to go into the main Piazza il Campo, and we waited in the square for 3 hours or more, staked out a great spot at the front, and then when we were in the frontline for a swarm of thousands of thousands of people... and they started charging at us, we thought it was time to leave. It was exhillarating and dangerous and after giving ourselves a fright we were happy to have forced our way out relatively unscathed. But I realised my camera got stolen. Boo. I am pretty cranky about it, but most of my photos were backed up and at least we were ok.
Two nights later we have moved on today to Florence. Its a bigger city than Siena and looks a lot like Rome. But there is so much art and culture and history here... and I am excited. We also have somewhere lovely to stay here and it is a real treat to have a computer in our room.
Am missing you all at home. So excited to hear that Dan and Nella and Mia have found a place. Congrats!! and have been so grateful for all the messages. I love you all.
xoxox
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The Italian Flag.
The sculpture on top of the Shrine in Rome. Look familar? Its so similar to that on the top of the Brandenberg Gate!!
So... Buttercup directed me to the Colosseum. I was excited but suprised there were no tourists there. Until I realised that it was a little little version and not the Colosseum at all! Buttercup was ever so slightly sheepish...
But look how proud she is when we found the real Colosseum!!
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