Wait, wait...i did it!...and ROME!
Trip Start
Jul 22, 2010
1
10
24
Trip End
Nov 02, 2010
Rome, Lazio, Italy
Monday, August 30, 2010
Rome 8/30 - 9/2: Total bonus - Alexandra and Michael left the farm the same day i did and were also headed to Rome...which means, i gained some very cool travel buddies who happen to be more seasoned than i (which, isn't really too difficult). They introduced me to the world of hostels instead of hotels. OK, then! It was fun trying to find one - sort of a scavenger hunt with me tagging along with one or the other of them as they read the guidebook and darted down various streets near the train station to pop in and check availability, amenities and price. The "good" ones were full, the bad ones had bed bugs and then they sent me in...solo recon....to "The Yellow." Bingo! They spoke English, the rates were in budget, they had free Wi-Fi for internet connection, cheap breakfast and they had a few beds available. Only downfall, no kitchen. The rooms were fine and the people were great...everything we needed for a little less than half the price i paid for my hotel stays in Florence. Awesome.
Away we went, guidebook and cameras en tow...to the Coliseum, to St. Peter's Basilica, to the Vatican Museum to a bunch of other places I am too tired to mention by name. Rome is good and i have to say, these travel buddies made it really great; we laughed a lot and didn't stress and just enjoyed everything we could! 3 days were enough to see the main sights and get a feel for the city. If you are one to read every sign or placard in every old building or church, you may want to plan for about 133 days. There is A LOT to take in and unlike Florence, it isn't all walkable...most, but not all...so plan to spend some time and money on public transport. I liked the Trevi Fountain and the Coliseum best - I am learning that i am not much of a museum kinda gal...too visual overload for me, but i will say that the Sistine Chapel inside the Vatican Museum was pretty cool. Michael Angelo painted 9 scenes across the entire span of the the ceiling in that room. He really was an amazing artist. Now that I've seen his work in person and right up against his "competitors," he really does take the cake. And as far as taking the croissant, that award goes to a little "bar" around the corner from the hostel - breakfast special was a cappuccino and a croissant for 1 Euro ($1.35). This bar became like "Cheers" for us, whereby we were all named Norm. By the way - Italia is FULL of bars and churches, just like Wisconsin...only the bars here serve as a coffee bar and snack shop and alcoholic drinking establishment and restaurant and maybe, if you are lucky a late night disco-tech. All in one and all small and about 12 on every street. iSpeaking of Disco-tech, perhaps now is a good time to slip in something interesting I've noticed...American music is everywhere here. It feels very strange to be standing on the street and hear so many ringtones on people cell phones are popular American songs...yet the people holding the phones don't speak English (i tested this theory). Even in the "Pharmacy" (sorry Wendi, i have not seen any Walgreens), with everyone speaking Italian, American music is playing in the background. Even on the televisions i saw at the bars, the commercials would be all in Italian, but the background music would be "Soul Sister" or "Pokerface." Wild, just wild.
Alright, anyway...Rome if you want to, but do it with fun people. Thanks again Alexandra and Michael, and thank you for the invite to stay (and possibly WWOOF) with you at your family farms in Australia...i have a feeling i will be taking you up on that one day soon. You are awesome people and i miss you already!
So........my next farm is about a 4.5 hour train ride south of Rome and it felt like I should break that up and see one more town before starting work again. Since i have not yet seen any of the beautiful bodies of water Italy is surrounded by, i researched some options for places to visit for the next 4 nights. I figured an island might be just what the doctor ordered as there should be some water there, no? Onward, to the port of Naples to catch the ferry to Ischea.
Comments
Yay...there's the goat milking...Yes i know I'm behind and completely out of the loop...but I'm caught up now :) and
Yay - you miked a goat!!