Update from Tuscany
Trip Start
Mar 26, 2007
1
2
12
Trip End
Apr 20, 2007
Tuscany, Italy
Monday, April 2, 2007
We have done a fair bit since I last wrote. Perhaps another cup of strong coffee might be in order.
The last full day in Rome was exhausting but exhilarating. We left the convent early and ventured to the top of St Peter's Cathedral (which was closed the day before). 320 steps that spiralled around and around, with only a body width between the staircase wall and the outside of the Dome. It took about 10 exhausting minutes to reach the top, but the view was definitely worth it!! You could see all of Rome and see all the ancient ruins scattered across the city. I will try to attach a picture of the view (depending on the size of the photo).
Next, we ventured to The Vatican Museum to see the Sistine Chapel. OH MY GOSH - what an ordeal! Don't think I will be in a hurry to ever do that again! I am not even sure it was really worth all the hassle. First, we had to line up for 2.5 hours to just get into the Museum, then another 30 minute wait to buy a ticket to get into the Museum. Once inside we all needed to go to the toilet - another 20 minute wait. Finally, after a bite to eat, we went to see the famous Sistine Chapel. Amid the crowd of spectators and countless tour groups, Thyra, Mum and I managed to loose Dad. Despite waiting and looking, we saw no sign of him, so decided to move on. Once inside there was NO TURNING BACK!! I felt like we were in a pen for sheep, herded along and no ability to move. From every direction we were pushed; from the side, from behind, from the front. Wall to wall people. And it was only one way - Thyra made a comment that she had a man behind her 'feel' her up on her backside, but had no ability to turn around and confront the sleazebag!!
Each room looked almost the same and each door leading out had a sign pointing to 'The Sistine Chapel'. Every room we entered, I had a sense of hope that PERHAPS this was the famous Sistine Chapel. But no; many artefacts, statues, relicts. Don't get me wrong, they were all interesting, but we had been lining up for over 3 hours, simply to see the Sistine Chapel. We were not interested in seeing all the other gear!!! But alas, 2 hours later, we finally arrived in the much talked about 'room' with the world famous Michelangelo paintings. However, there were about 500 people - wall to wall - jammed up in this little space, that there was no ability to take photos! I was so disappointed - we were only in there for 5 minutes then left. By this time, it was only Mum and I, as we had also been separated from Thyra in the crowds. We decided that it was time to find the exit and try to find the other two. It took us a further 30 minutes to FINALLY get out of the building, where we found Thyra, but no sign of Dad. We waited 1 hour 15 minutes for him outside the exit doors, only to finally meet Dad who had come out the 'tour group' exit about 1km away and was waiting for us! What an ordeal! We proceeded to walk home, exhausted and sore from the day. Mum and I went to bed early, while Dad and I went out after dinner for a final explore. I was happy to be leaving for Tuscany the next day, as I had seen enough of Rome.
Instead of picking up the hire car near the airport the next morning, Dad decided that he it would be better to get it in the centre of Rome. Very bad idea!! Talk about incredibly stressful! As we were trying to navigate our way out of Rome to go to Tuscany, we were inundated with irate and impatient drivers on either side of us. On a number of occasions we missed roads that were only one way, which meant we had to go on a long detour to get back onto the right road. We nearly swiped off mirrors from parked cars and were lucky to not have some head on collisions at times. It got to a point that I could not watch anymore, nor listen to the directions being fired by Mum and Thyra yelling 'Watch out' from the back seat. I chose to plug my MP3 into my ears and listen VERY LOUD and place an eye mask on my face, so that I did not have to watch or hear what was happening around me!!! After about 1 hour of navigating out of the city I felt it was safe enough to uncover my eyes and enter the world of the living again!
Surprisingly, the landscape reminded me Australia. Rolling hills and similar trees. We had made it onto a freeway and the average speed cars were driving was about 140-150km.
We are staying about 30 minutes away from Florence, in a beautiful town called Castelfilorento. The Youth Hostel is not as quiet or serene as the Convent, and we seemed to have arrived at the same time a huge Motorbike rally is on. We had all the bikers in the dining area last night drinking and singing well into the early hours of the morning. As a result, we are all a little tired.
By coincidence I have met an American guy who once lived in Mildura! He heard my accent when speaking with the Youth Hostel Manager and asked what part of Australia I was from. It turned out that he came over to Sunraysia for a Rotary exchange - he is from Colorado - and stayed in Gol Gol for his duration of a 1 year and a half. We have exchanged addresses, emails and phone numbers and Ian has given me a few letters to hand to people when I arrive back to Australia!
Today we went to Vinci and visited the Vinci museum - where Leonardo Da Vinci left his drawings and writings. We had a beautiful lunch in a cafe overlooking the rolling hills of Tuscany. It is such a gorgeous area and the food was great too! Tuscany seems so picturesque with such green hills and mountains. We will be visiting Pisa, Florence and various other spots over the next few days.
Well I'd better go as this is turning out to be another tome!
Suz
