So my blog is officially complete!
It was so fun to do and a great way to document my trip. I hope you all enjoyed it. Please send comments and let me know what you thought.
Thanks for reading!
M
Monday, November 10, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Long Journey Home
5:30-Up so I could leave the house by 6
6:40-At the train station
6:52-On the shuttle and headed to the airport
7:25-At the airport
7:40-Checked in and through security (record time!)
9:05-Supposed to be boarding
9:40-Boarding the plane
10:05-On our way to London with no one sitting next to me, sweet!
12:45-Arrive in London, but it's really 11:45 there
12:15-Got luggage and through customs
12:45-Figure out what Terminal I need to be in
1:15-Can check in finally
1:30-Wander around the shops a bit
2:00-Lunch time
2:45-Check to see if the gate is posted yet, we're supposed to board at 3:15
3:00-Gate is finally posted and I head there
3:15-Arrive at gate to find it not boarding
3:30-They announce we won't be leaving until 4:45 instead of 4:15
3:45-Start boarding
4:15-Ready to take off but they're waiting for someone
5:05-Finally take off
6:45-Land in Boston, really 12:45 at night for me
8:30-Home Sweet Home!
6:40-At the train station
6:52-On the shuttle and headed to the airport
7:25-At the airport
7:40-Checked in and through security (record time!)
9:05-Supposed to be boarding
9:40-Boarding the plane
10:05-On our way to London with no one sitting next to me, sweet!
12:45-Arrive in London, but it's really 11:45 there
12:15-Got luggage and through customs
12:45-Figure out what Terminal I need to be in
1:15-Can check in finally
1:30-Wander around the shops a bit
2:00-Lunch time
2:45-Check to see if the gate is posted yet, we're supposed to board at 3:15
3:00-Gate is finally posted and I head there
3:15-Arrive at gate to find it not boarding
3:30-They announce we won't be leaving until 4:45 instead of 4:15
3:45-Start boarding
4:15-Ready to take off but they're waiting for someone
5:05-Finally take off
6:45-Land in Boston, really 12:45 at night for me
8:30-Home Sweet Home!
Florence, My Love!
So I got up and out early and ended up at the train station at about 8:45. I checked the board to see what track my train was leaving from. I found the destination for Florence and the train was there so I got on and waited. While walking there I thought I should check my ticket with one of the train guys just to make sure but I figured, I'm going to Florence and that's where this train is headed.
Finally at about 9:15 the train was leaving the station. On the announcement they were listing all the stops and then they said they would be arriving in Florence at 12:45. WHAT!! This ride was only supposed to take 1.5 hours. When the ticket checker guy came around I asked if I was on the wrong train. He looked at my ticket and smirked. He said yes and that we wouldn't get in until almost 1:00. Great! Well there was really nothing I could do so I settled in and fell in and out of sleep. Finally we arrived in Florence. I was slightly dissappointed because my train back was at 4 so I only had 3 hours to explore.
When I got into the station I was so surprised. Nothing had changed and it was exactly as I had remembered. I crossed the street by where our apartment was when we were staying there four years previously. There were some new shops but it was still the same. I walked down and around the corner where I passed the door to SACI (the school I went to there). The little butche
r shop was still next door with the stuffed animals out front sitting at a little table. When I got to the end of the road, joy! The bakery was still there. I went in and looked around until I saw them. The strawberry tarts!! I got myself one of those and a mini calzone for lunch. I then walked to the wonderful market to the duomo where I sat and enjoyed my food.
When I was done I needed to find and ATM because the market vendors only take cash and I was worried that I didn't have enough. I found two but they were both out of service. I finally found one that worked and headed back to the market. It was so funny that I knew my way around so well still. I liked it since for most of the trip I had a map permantly attached to my hand.
I took a few laps through the market, I wanted to make sure I was getting the best deals. A made a note of one vendor and ended up going back to her. She was the cheapest out of all of them and I'm sure she was happy to see me come and go because of all that I bought. By this time it was 3:30 and time to go back to the train station.
This time I got on the right train and got back to Rome around 5:45 and was back at the apartment by 6:15. I was pooped, so I had dinner and commenced the rest of my packing. Lucy came home shortly after and we chatted for a bit.
I wasn't looking to another early morning and a very long day of traveling, but soon I would be home.
Finally at about 9:15 the train was leaving the station. On the announcement they were listing all the stops and then they said they would be arriving in Florence at 12:45. WHAT!! This ride was only supposed to take 1.5 hours. When the ticket checker guy came around I asked if I was on the wrong train. He looked at my ticket and smirked. He said yes and that we wouldn't get in until almost 1:00. Great! Well there was really nothing I could do so I settled in and fell in and out of sleep. Finally we arrived in Florence. I was slightly dissappointed because my train back was at 4 so I only had 3 hours to explore.
When I got into the station I was so surprised. Nothing had changed and it was exactly as I had remembered. I crossed the street by where our apartment was when we were staying there four years previously. There were some new shops but it was still the same. I walked down and around the corner where I passed the door to SACI (the school I went to there). The little butche
r shop was still next door with the stuffed animals out front sitting at a little table. When I got to the end of the road, joy! The bakery was still there. I went in and looked around until I saw them. The strawberry tarts!! I got myself one of those and a mini calzone for lunch. I then walked to the wonderful market to the duomo where I sat and enjoyed my food. When I was done I needed to find and ATM because the market vendors only take cash and I was worried that I didn't have enough. I found two but they were both out of service. I finally found one that worked and headed back to the market. It was so funny that I knew my way around so well still. I liked it since for most of the trip I had a map permantly attached to my hand.
I took a few laps through the market, I wanted to make sure I was getting the best deals. A made a note of one vendor and ended up going back to her. She was the cheapest out of all of them and I'm sure she was happy to see me come and go because of all that I bought. By this time it was 3:30 and time to go back to the train station.
This time I got on the right train and got back to Rome around 5:45 and was back at the apartment by 6:15. I was pooped, so I had dinner and commenced the rest of my packing. Lucy came home shortly after and we chatted for a bit.
I wasn't looking to another early morning and a very long day of traveling, but soon I would be home.
Lazy Day!
Sunday...
The alarm came way too soon! On the way out we decided to stop at one of the metro stops on the way to the train station. We had seen that there was a shuttle bus to the airport from there. Well if there was we couldn't find it so we went on to the train station where Sarah caught the shuttle.
It was about 8:45 and I was wondering what I was going to do with my day. I thought, maybe I'll go to Florence since we didn't go yesterday. There was a train leaving at 9:12 which was perfect. I thought for a minute and decided that I was still totally exhausted and with it being Sunday I didn't know what would be open. So I decided that I would go on Monday instead.
I got home and hung out, had breakfast, etc. I thought that since I would be gone for the majority of the next day that I should start packing. The weather started to get nasty again so I was glad I didn't end up going on my trip. Around 1:00 I decided to head out, there were a few shops I wanted to go to and get souveniers. When I got to the Metro station I called for my weekly unemployment check in and then called my mom. Please note: when calling from anonther country on a calling card you get a ton more minutes on Sunday. On a normal day you get about 30 minutes. On Sunday you get 60-90.
After my calls it was looking a little scary. Big dark clouds had moved in and I had no umbrella. I decided to walk back up and grab it just in case. As soon as I got into the apartment it started to pour. Good call Meg! So I decided to stay in for a bit and I just chilled with Lucy.
Around 3 it had cleared up and I went back out to do my errands. I did my shopping and then decided to go to St. Peter's and go in and to the top since I hadn't done it yet. When I got there it was just about 6 and there was a service going on. It was really cool to be there at that time even though I had no idea what they were saying. The best was when they sang, so beautiful and really made the atmosphere that much better.
The alarm came way too soon! On the way out we decided to stop at one of the metro stops on the way to the train station. We had seen that there was a shuttle bus to the airport from there. Well if there was we couldn't find it so we went on to the train station where Sarah caught the shuttle.
It was about 8:45 and I was wondering what I was going to do with my day. I thought, maybe I'll go to Florence since we didn't go yesterday. There was a train leaving at 9:12 which was perfect. I thought for a minute and decided that I was still totally exhausted and with it being Sunday I didn't know what would be open. So I decided that I would go on Monday instead.
I got home and hung out, had breakfast, etc. I thought that since I would be gone for the majority of the next day that I should start packing. The weather started to get nasty again so I was glad I didn't end up going on my trip. Around 1:00 I decided to head out, there were a few shops I wanted to go to and get souveniers. When I got to the Metro station I called for my weekly unemployment check in and then called my mom. Please note: when calling from anonther country on a calling card you get a ton more minutes on Sunday. On a normal day you get about 30 minutes. On Sunday you get 60-90.
After my calls it was looking a little scary. Big dark clouds had moved in and I had no umbrella. I decided to walk back up and grab it just in case. As soon as I got into the apartment it started to pour. Good call Meg! So I decided to stay in for a bit and I just chilled with Lucy.
Around 3 it had cleared up and I went back out to do my errands. I did my shopping and then decided to go to St. Peter's and go in and to the top since I hadn't done it yet. When I got there it was just about 6 and there was a service going on. It was really cool to be there at that time even though I had no idea what they were saying. The best was when they sang, so beautiful and really made the atmosphere that much better.
Unfortunately the top was closed. I don't know if it was because it was Sunday or because of the questionable weather, nuts! 
On the way back to the Metro I grabbed myself a yummy gelato and went home and had dinner. It's always good to have gelato before dinner :)
From there it was just chillin', packing, etc.. I had to get up early yet again to catch my train to Florence at 9 am.
On the way back to the Metro I grabbed myself a yummy gelato and went home and had dinner. It's always good to have gelato before dinner :)
From there it was just chillin', packing, etc.. I had to get up early yet again to catch my train to Florence at 9 am.
How much further?
So Saturday...
I got up around 10:30. Did my usual morning chill routine. Sarah got up and noon. We showered and got ready for our day out. Fortunately the rain had cooled things off. It certainly wasn't cold but it was sunny with a nice breeze, perfect as it was supposed to be. We left at 1:30 and took the Metro to Circo Massimo, from there we would walk to the Appian Way and then walk to a few different places along the way. However, on the way to the Appian Way we got slightly misguided and after about a half hour of walking we decided to go back the way we came and try again. We found the right path and continued our journey.
By the time we got to the entrance of the Appian Way it was 4. We had our map and followed our planned route from there. The first part was a little tricky. The road was narrow to begin with and there were walls on either side with no room for a sidewalk. I was surpised we didn't get side swiped by a car or a tour bus. Finally at 5 we reached our first destination. It was cool but nothing to really write home about. Our entrance fee included the next pl
ace on our list so we were on our way again. Sarah had figured it would take about a half hour to get there which was great because it closed at 6:30 so that would give us time to check it out. So 5:30 came and went, and so did 5:45. Finally at 6 we arrived there to find the gate shut and locked. Aparently they closed at 6, great! The map we had really sucked because there was no scale on it so you really had no reference of how far away thing were.
So it was back the way we came. I wasn't really looking forward to walking for another 2.5 hours to get back to our starting point. Shortly we came to a main road and I found a bus stop and that particular bus would take us to a Metro stop, joy! We only waited about 5 minutes for the bus and it took probably about 15 to get to the station--good thing we didn't decide we could walk there. We ended up back at the train station where we decided to take the bus down to Trestavre. It wasn't too far, but at that point we were so tired of walking. We got off the bus and headed to a church. It was 7 when we got there and it was fun to see it at dusk all lit up.
We ended up walking back to Piazza Venenzia where we got dinner. I was starving!! I had a pretty good glass of just white house wine and lasagna. It was bubbling when they brought it out and it was so good!! After that we walked to a gelato place and I got some yummy pistachio. Then we went back to the piazza and caught a bus for a night tour. It was the same bus I had taken previously so I new the route and all of the places, but it was fun to see everything at night.
It dropped us
off back at Piazza Venenzia where we walked up to the Pantheon (still amazing!), the Trevi Fountain (so beautiful at night and packed with people), and finally to the Spanish Steps where we caught the Metro back home. I think it was 12:30 by the time we got home. It was definitley time for bed. We had to get up early to get Sarah to the train station in time to catch the shuttle to the airport. Her flight was at 11:45. After that long day and all that walking I wasn't looking forward to having to get up early.
I got up around 10:30. Did my usual morning chill routine. Sarah got up and noon. We showered and got ready for our day out. Fortunately the rain had cooled things off. It certainly wasn't cold but it was sunny with a nice breeze, perfect as it was supposed to be. We left at 1:30 and took the Metro to Circo Massimo, from there we would walk to the Appian Way and then walk to a few different places along the way. However, on the way to the Appian Way we got slightly misguided and after about a half hour of walking we decided to go back the way we came and try again. We found the right path and continued our journey.
By the time we got to the entrance of the Appian Way it was 4. We had our map and followed our planned route from there. The first part was a little tricky. The road was narrow to begin with and there were walls on either side with no room for a sidewalk. I was surpised we didn't get side swiped by a car or a tour bus. Finally at 5 we reached our first destination. It was cool but nothing to really write home about. Our entrance fee included the next pl
ace on our list so we were on our way again. Sarah had figured it would take about a half hour to get there which was great because it closed at 6:30 so that would give us time to check it out. So 5:30 came and went, and so did 5:45. Finally at 6 we arrived there to find the gate shut and locked. Aparently they closed at 6, great! The map we had really sucked because there was no scale on it so you really had no reference of how far away thing were.So it was back the way we came. I wasn't really looking forward to walking for another 2.5 hours to get back to our starting point. Shortly we came to a main road and I found a bus stop and that particular bus would take us to a Metro stop, joy! We only waited about 5 minutes for the bus and it took probably about 15 to get to the station--good thing we didn't decide we could walk there. We ended up back at the train station where we decided to take the bus down to Trestavre. It wasn't too far, but at that point we were so tired of walking. We got off the bus and headed to a church. It was 7 when we got there and it was fun to see it at dusk all lit up.
We ended up walking back to Piazza Venenzia where we got dinner. I was starving!! I had a pretty good glass of just white house wine and lasagna. It was bubbling when they brought it out and it was so good!! After that we walked to a gelato place and I got some yummy pistachio. Then we went back to the piazza and caught a bus for a night tour. It was the same bus I had taken previously so I new the route and all of the places, but it was fun to see everything at night.
It dropped us
off back at Piazza Venenzia where we walked up to the Pantheon (still amazing!), the Trevi Fountain (so beautiful at night and packed with people), and finally to the Spanish Steps where we caught the Metro back home. I think it was 12:30 by the time we got home. It was definitley time for bed. We had to get up early to get Sarah to the train station in time to catch the shuttle to the airport. Her flight was at 11:45. After that long day and all that walking I wasn't looking forward to having to get up early.
A Friendly Face
So picking up where I left off....
I got up early on Friday to pick up my friend Sarah from the train station. Her flight got in at 8 am and then the shuttle from the airport is about a half hour. I figured with luggage and customs that it would be about 9 when she got there so I planned to be there a little before. We had planned to meet at the McDonalds. When I got there I realized that there were a bunch of them, crap! So I decided to meet her at the track instead. The train was delayed a little bit, but she made it.
We took the Metro back to the apartment and chilled out for a bit. She had been sick on the plane and wasn't feeling too great. This was fine with me. It was still really hot out and it was good to just hang out and catch up. Later in the afternoon we decided to venture out.
We went to the train station first to see about tickets to Florence for the next day. We found out that it would be about 76 Euros round trip each (about $100 a piece). We decided we would go to the internet cafe later on and see if we could find a cheaper way. We arrived at the Spanish Steps and then walked over to the Trevi Fountain. By now Sarah wasn't feeling too great still so we decided to go back to the apartment. She took a nap and I watched Gilmore Girls--hard to embrace the wittyness in Italian.
Around 8 we went up to the internet cafe. On the way up the hill there were huge flashes of lightening. I was hoping if it did rain we wouldn't be stuck there. As soon as we got there the heavens opened. It was weird to hear it rain since both times I've been to Italy I have never seen it rain. We couldn't find any different options for Florence so we decided to nix it and just do Rome. By the time we were ready to head home the rain had stopped. It was still kind of muggy out though. We devised our plan for the next day and hit they hay.
I got up early on Friday to pick up my friend Sarah from the train station. Her flight got in at 8 am and then the shuttle from the airport is about a half hour. I figured with luggage and customs that it would be about 9 when she got there so I planned to be there a little before. We had planned to meet at the McDonalds. When I got there I realized that there were a bunch of them, crap! So I decided to meet her at the track instead. The train was delayed a little bit, but she made it.
We took the Metro back to the apartment and chilled out for a bit. She had been sick on the plane and wasn't feeling too great. This was fine with me. It was still really hot out and it was good to just hang out and catch up. Later in the afternoon we decided to venture out.
We went to the train station first to see about tickets to Florence for the next day. We found out that it would be about 76 Euros round trip each (about $100 a piece). We decided we would go to the internet cafe later on and see if we could find a cheaper way. We arrived at the Spanish Steps and then walked over to the Trevi Fountain. By now Sarah wasn't feeling too great still so we decided to go back to the apartment. She took a nap and I watched Gilmore Girls--hard to embrace the wittyness in Italian.
Around 8 we went up to the internet cafe. On the way up the hill there were huge flashes of lightening. I was hoping if it did rain we wouldn't be stuck there. As soon as we got there the heavens opened. It was weird to hear it rain since both times I've been to Italy I have never seen it rain. We couldn't find any different options for Florence so we decided to nix it and just do Rome. By the time we were ready to head home the rain had stopped. It was still kind of muggy out though. We devised our plan for the next day and hit they hay.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Not much & more randomness
Hey Kids,
Not much new to report here today. It was in the 90's so I stayed close to home. I decided when it was time to head up here (to the Internet Cafe) that rather that walk up the hill, I would walk down the hill to the Metro and take it one stop, which is right by the Internet Cafe. Haha, no walking up hill!
When I got here it was packed! I arrived a little later than usual, but it didn't take long to get a computer. I probably won't be back up here until Monday. My friend Sarah is going to be in the area for two days so we'll be exploring. I think we'll do some roaming around Rome tomorrow and then head up to Florence on Saturday. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can still get cashmere scarfs super cheap and the strawberry tarts (I might have to eat more than one). The Internet Cafe is closed on Sundays so I'll be checking in on Monday with some last little tid-bits before I leave.
Now for the randomness, as promised:
So, I've discovered many things while on this little trip. One of them being that I have a slight phobia of escallators. Only the really really long ones. I have been on them before but with a bunch of people and there were signs/advertisements everywhere. Here there is nothing but blank space or in some cases very confined space. I've found that if I don't look up at the top or down at the bottom I'm okay. I usually try to just look sideways or down at my feet.
I have found a new love for Mr. Bean, the cartoon. It has to be one of the funniest shows ever. Either that or I'm so deprived of humar right now that I'll find pretty much anything funny at this point. I don't know if you can find snippets online or not, but if you find them let me know. They so cute and so funny. There are episodes on Youtube if you want to watch!
Not much new to report here today. It was in the 90's so I stayed close to home. I decided when it was time to head up here (to the Internet Cafe) that rather that walk up the hill, I would walk down the hill to the Metro and take it one stop, which is right by the Internet Cafe. Haha, no walking up hill!
When I got here it was packed! I arrived a little later than usual, but it didn't take long to get a computer. I probably won't be back up here until Monday. My friend Sarah is going to be in the area for two days so we'll be exploring. I think we'll do some roaming around Rome tomorrow and then head up to Florence on Saturday. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can still get cashmere scarfs super cheap and the strawberry tarts (I might have to eat more than one). The Internet Cafe is closed on Sundays so I'll be checking in on Monday with some last little tid-bits before I leave.
Now for the randomness, as promised:
So, I've discovered many things while on this little trip. One of them being that I have a slight phobia of escallators. Only the really really long ones. I have been on them before but with a bunch of people and there were signs/advertisements everywhere. Here there is nothing but blank space or in some cases very confined space. I've found that if I don't look up at the top or down at the bottom I'm okay. I usually try to just look sideways or down at my feet.
I have found a new love for Mr. Bean, the cartoon. It has to be one of the funniest shows ever. Either that or I'm so deprived of humar right now that I'll find pretty much anything funny at this point. I don't know if you can find snippets online or not, but if you find them let me know. They so cute and so funny. There are episodes on Youtube if you want to watch!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VScz80jof90
I bought four more 2 litre bottles of Iced tea last night. One is already gone. I guarantee that they will all be finished before I leave on Tuesday. I would bring a case of it home with me if I could.
I am looking forward to several things upon my return: catching up on my Tivo'd shows (that should take about a day), being able to understand tv shows, watching the Red Sox, getting a pedicure (I sill have my one from Maine, it's lasted over a month, not too bad! But with all the walking my feet are in some desparate need of some TLC), I'm going to finally use my Green Tangerine gift card and get a massage, sleeping in my own bed, I'm gonna get me a big fat steak too, having conversations with someone other than myself (that'll be real nice). I think that's about it so far.
Oh yea, not having to pay a set rate for internet usage. You'd be surprised how much time you can spend not doing much of anything. The guy before me was on for almost 4 hours! I feel like places like this should have a limit, I guess only if people are waiting though.
I love that when you're waiting for the Metro to come you can always tell when it's almost there. Apart from the sign that says 'train arriving' (in Italian of course), but the air starts to move and gets faster and faster as the train approaches. It feels nice on these hot days, but I'm sure it's probably some of the dirtest air you can find.
Friends in Italian, not so funny :(
I might have to hit up Micky D's before the trip is out. I might save it for when I'll be waiting at Heathrow for 4 hours on Tuesday. I've been living on french toast, grilled cheese with salami (I know, random), pizza, and Iced Tea.
I think that's it. Happy weekend if I'm not back until Monday.
I'll be home soon!!
Caio!
I bought four more 2 litre bottles of Iced tea last night. One is already gone. I guarantee that they will all be finished before I leave on Tuesday. I would bring a case of it home with me if I could.
I am looking forward to several things upon my return: catching up on my Tivo'd shows (that should take about a day), being able to understand tv shows, watching the Red Sox, getting a pedicure (I sill have my one from Maine, it's lasted over a month, not too bad! But with all the walking my feet are in some desparate need of some TLC), I'm going to finally use my Green Tangerine gift card and get a massage, sleeping in my own bed, I'm gonna get me a big fat steak too, having conversations with someone other than myself (that'll be real nice). I think that's about it so far.
Oh yea, not having to pay a set rate for internet usage. You'd be surprised how much time you can spend not doing much of anything. The guy before me was on for almost 4 hours! I feel like places like this should have a limit, I guess only if people are waiting though.
I love that when you're waiting for the Metro to come you can always tell when it's almost there. Apart from the sign that says 'train arriving' (in Italian of course), but the air starts to move and gets faster and faster as the train approaches. It feels nice on these hot days, but I'm sure it's probably some of the dirtest air you can find.
Friends in Italian, not so funny :(
I might have to hit up Micky D's before the trip is out. I might save it for when I'll be waiting at Heathrow for 4 hours on Tuesday. I've been living on french toast, grilled cheese with salami (I know, random), pizza, and Iced Tea.
I think that's it. Happy weekend if I'm not back until Monday.
I'll be home soon!!
Caio!
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