Roma

Since my last update. I've done a lot.

I'm going to fill you in on today, since yesterday was a deserved lazy day, and I didn't do a lot. Pretty much just had some wine, and hung out. It was very enjoyable.

Today, was a much busier day. I started at St. Peter's Basilica this morning around eleven, and finished off at the Trevi fountain (I keep ending up there) at about four. That was all walking around. On the map it seems like it should take a lot longer to walk places, but Italy is starting to seem pretty small.

So St. Peter's Basilica was amazing. I had to stand in a queue line for about twenty minutes to get in, but considering the length of the line (it circled half way around the plaza) I was fairly impressed. Once inside it was mind blowing, I'm not a religious person, but it's a must see for anyone. All the statues, the artwork, the sacred places, I was in awe. It's hard to describe so pictures are being posted.

After the Basilica I stopped and had lunch, some yummy ravioli and then espresso for dessert.

Then it was to the Vatican. Well the Vatican museum. Inside the walls of Vatican City. That was also quite breathtaking. All the tapestry's, statues, paintings, and little artifacts they have, there's so much to see. Went to the Sistine Chapel. They don't lie. Michaelangelo is a pretty impressive guy.

After a good hour wandering through there, I was off to explore more. My next stop was the St. Angelo Castle.

After that I decided to head over to the Pantheon. Ended up going the total wrong way, and had to detour a little bit. I was distracted by some very yummy ice cream so I wasn't paying attention to streets. I may have licked the bowl clean. :)

When I did make it to the Pantheon (it really didn't take that long after I was back on track), it was pretty cool. Unfortunately I don't think most people realize that these aren't just tourist spots, a lot of these are sacred places. They end up being really packed and loud, and if anyone went for the religious part, it would be hard to enjoy. Just a thought on that.

So after the Pantheon, I ended up back at the Trevi fountain. I don't know how really, I was just wandering by this point. I passed a few cool buildings a long the way, more pictures were taken.

Eventually I made my way back to a metro stop and after getting back to the hostel and laying around for a bit, I feel like I'm ready for bed.

It was definitely a good day. I will recommend Rome to anyone, I definitely think the Basilica and Vatican Museum are must sees. If I'm ever back here I know I will be seeing them again. It's a lot to take in just once so I think a second trip would be even better.

Currently I'm having some issues uploading photos, but as soon as I can I will have them all up. Promise.

Tomorrow it's off to Milan (!!!!!!!!).

Peace&Love
Chow

After a small delay...

The laptop is back online! Hurray!
Yesterday and this morning, my laptop just didn't want to go online. It would connect and then give me no internet access. But with a little patience and a few angry glares it is now back in working order.

When I left Venice yesterday morning I was in quite a rush. I woke up late (shocker!). Miraculously I made it to the train on time, after having only an hour to check out, walk to the bus station, catch the bus (it took a good fifteen minutes to get there), and then walk a few more blocks to the train station. I was even a few minutes early for the train. I literally have no idea how, I'm thinking somewhere in there time had to stop, because I just can't make it add up. :) I'm not going to question it though, as it worked out.

Train ride was fairly boring. We went through a lot of tunnels so there wasn't a lot to see, and it was raining most of the way. It's actually been raining quite a bit off and on. Doesn't cool down at all, and today is bloody hot outside, but still rains a lot.

Once again I did not sit in my assigned seat. I sat near it, as a bunch of travellers had wanted to sit together, so I ended taking one of their assigned seats. I'm starting to think I just won't sit in my seat ever. Not a big loss I'm sure.

Once arriving in Roma, it took little time to find the hostel since it's only four blocks from the Termini (main station).

I'm staying at a place called 'The Yellow'. Definitely the hostel to stay at. It has a big bar area on the main floor, and they give you a free drink when you get here (my kind of incentive). Only being a few blocks from the Termini it's easy to get around and navigate to.

Unlike Venice this is inland so there are many roads with cars to dodge. More than cars though are scooters, or vespas. I really don't like scooters, I think they are clownish. Streetbikes on the other hand I adore, so seeing those makes for all the vespas I have to look at.

Walking across a street is a lot like frogger sometimes, cars and bikes will stop for you, but only shortly, and only every fifth one. lol, it's not so bad as long as you make sure to cross at the crosswalks.

Last night I ended walking around with a few other kids staying at the hostel. We went down to the Colosseum and took some night pictures of it. It looks pretty cool all lit up. Then we walked all the way to the the Trevi Fountain. Which I hadn't noticed was so far away last night, until I found it on a map today and actually looked at how much walking we did. Let me tell you, I am in shape.

It's a pretty good workout this travelling. My room is on the fifth floor here at the hostel, and the elevator is really just too sketchy for me to take (I took it once, I didn't like it, no more than two people can be on at a time...). So I've been walking up and down the stairs. I even walked up when I got here with my backpack on. I felt the burn. :)

The stairs in the Colosseum, which I went back to today, are very steep. The actual steps themselves are angled down, so traversing them is a little bit scary. But it's well worth it. From inside you can see the arena and then look out to all the other buildings (or what's left of them near by).

After grabbing lunch, I made my way back to the hostel, where I will now sit and wait out the heat of the day.

Peace&Love
Chow

I'm sorry, I thought this maze was a city.

If you don't like water, don't go to Venice.

In the inner city, where there is no room for cars, boats are the way to travel. The most convenient way to get around is water, with Gondola's, water taxi's and anything else you can call a boat.

It's actually not to hard to find your way around when you're walking. That is only if you are going to one of the major tourist attractions. Other than that, may I suggest, that you are screwed. I don't really remember seeing any street signs. Just signs that said what plaza or canal or church area you are at. But don't worry the locals are very friendly.

The basis of my day then, was walking around Venice. I caught the shuttle bus from the hostel at ten this morning and that took me across the Liberta bridge. That's frightening. That is a very long bridge that has cars, buses, and trains going over it, taking you from the mainland to the Island. Once in Venice, I had to take a train (the people mover) to Piazzale Roma, or the main bus terminal. There I walked straight into Venice. With every other tourist. I planned on there being a lot of people, being as it Sunday and all, but oh my word was it crowded. I'm guessing there's not a lot of space on a good day, but this was nuts.

It wasn't hard to find where I was going. I went first to the Rialto market. Basically a lot of little vendors all over a huge bridge that crosses the Grand Canal. Next was on to the Basilica San di Marco, also found fairly quickly. You don't know you are these places until you step out into them though. You don't really see where you're going, just walk and follow the signs.

The Basilica was very crowded, and the line-up to get in was way to long. Quick history lesson, it was originally built in 829 and then has been built onto and reconstructed quite a few times since then. It's a religious building, with the body of St. Mark behind a massive alter piece. Hence the name.

It's a lovely building though, quite massive with many different sections. The mosaic scenes on the front (a few posted on facebook) are very well done.

Next I made my way to the Gallerie dell'Accademia, also a little bit of a line-up with a few tourist groups out front.

Taking as many pictures as I could, I had a pretty good time in Venice. Weather was gorgeous again. Right now though I feel like I'm in the middle of a tempest. The thunder literally sounds like gunshots, totally made me jump. I think the storm is starting to wrap up (though as I type that, it's still roaring, just a little quieter), the rain not drowning everything out anymore and it's almost quite soothing.

In the midst of all my wanderings, I stumbled upon a flea market. It was wonderful all the little trinkets and whatnot they had for sale. I wish I had more to spend, but it's probably for the best that I don't have money to blow. :)

Once done all my wanderings, I made my way back to the main terminal. Before I arrived, I stopped at a little cafe and had some pasta and a glass of wine. I nice old man sat down at the table next two me. After awhile we started chatting. He was actually in Venice for his daughter's wedding, but he's originally from Stuttgart, a German city.

He told me that he was just waiting for his wife who was shopping on her own today. He hoped that she could find him, seeing as how Venice is such a maze. After talking for a bit we parted ways, he bid me safety and good luck on the rest of my journey.

Then I caught the bus back to the mainland. Ever take an accordion bus around a traffic circle? It's much like a circus ride. Stopped on my walk back to the hostel for ice cream, because it was still boiling outside.

When I made it back, it was actually only four in the afternoon. Which is how small Venice is.

So then today I did some laundry, as my trip is basically two-thirds done already, and I prefer my clothes clean.

I've spent the rest of my night preparing for tomorrow, where I have to be up early to catch the bus to the station and then the train to Roma. Maybe this time I'll be allowed to sit in my seat. :)

Peace&Love
Chow

Now this, is a vacation.

Thus far, I've much enjoyed my stay here at Camp Jolly.

Laid out like a campground, it has spots for trailers, and tents, and also pre-set-up tents. I have a bungalow.
A 3 person bungalow, and lucky me, have it all to myself again tonight. It's fantastic, it's designed much like a camping trailer, with a mini fridge a bathroom and air conditioning. The showers a little tempered on giving hot water, but it's much preferred still over using a stall in the communal bathroom.

The restaurant here serves up some very delicious food. Both nights now I've had pizza. Yesterday I had a mozza, onion, and tuscan sausage, tonight it was the Hawiian. Very delicious. Made on thincrust, which I prefer. . They're definitely not 'personal' sized, as they are a good medium. Last night I ate the entire thing, but since I had an appetizer tonight, I had to have some packed up. No worries, it won't be wasted.

My pizza of the evening.

Didn't do much today, I'm planning on seeing lots tomorrow.
Today was reserved for a walk to the supermarket and then lounging around the pool.

The supermarket was very busy, and boy do people move fast. Similar to home, except that when you pick out produce, you have to wear a plastic mitt, and then once you have it in the plastic bag, you weigh it yourself. Then you punch the appropriate number on the sheet and it gives you a sticker to put on the bag. Fairly efficient I think, cuts down on the cashier having to look up the number.
Plastic bags you have to pay ten cents for, which is understandable these days. It seems a little odd though, I had to pay to have a plastic bag, but the garbage bins of plastic mitts used for produce were full...
Two good ideas there. One, let's not get germs all over the fruit so we'll make everyone wear a plastic mitt (that after they toss). Two, lets make plastic bags cost so people have more incentive to use other bags. It seems counter productive when you put the two ideas together, just saying.
It was a fun experience though, and the little carts for groceries were like little wagons that you pulled around. It was cute.

Then after I walked back, I layed out in the sun all day, and sipped a few cold ones while reading, beside the pool. That was simply wonderful. I did have sunscreen on but I'm burned. I was going for tanned, and well, I've exceeded that. But as a pasty white kid, I can't expect any different. But I am more freckled though, and I'm fine with that. :)

So tomorrow I'm planning on taking the shuttle into Venice and then hitting up a few main spots that promise to be very awesome.

Peace&Love
Chow

Venice

I made it. Still not entirely sure how, but I did.

So today I'm going to tell you a story. One that starts just as the sky is changing to faint blue, and a new day is about to begin.
At this point, I wake up (I think I was dreaming, something abnormally real again I'm sure).
I go to check the time, and I do not know where my phone is. I keep it with me on the bed, that way in moments such as this, I can always know the time and be less confused. So I search under the cover and under the pillow, and beside the bed on all open sides.
Still no luck, so I open my laptop a crack to give me some light and then I shine it under the bed, trying not to wake any of my fellow hostelers. There it is. So far under the bed, I have to shimmy to get it. Like a worm. It must have fallen down the crack between the bed and the wall. I didn't think that crack was big enough.
So once the phone is retrieved, I check the time and it is 4:30 a.m. Back to bed.

I was awakened a few more times before my alarm went off. Mainly someone else's going off earlier. One of those buzzing obnoxious ones, that they let run for a good minute. I couldn't be too mad though, because they were a very sweet Asian couple, who warned me the night before they were getting up early.

So by the time my alarm goes off, it's 7 a.m. And I fall back asleep. But don't worry, I'm used to this. I wake up with 20 minutes to go ready before I wanted to leave. Plenty of time.
So I'm out the hostel doors by 8, and on my way back to the Munich Hbf. It's walking distance, about 1k.
The street vendors and shopping markets are just opening up and setting up their stands for the day. I've noticed that this seems to be a part of town with quite a few middle eastern run shops. But this morning there's all kinds of people, off to the daily routine.

I made it to the Hbf in record time (apparently I was on a mission), and had over an hour to wait for my train.
Which was perfect because I planned on grabbing breakfast and other snacks to. Well as luck would have it, I found a Starbucks!
Once equipped with a venti coffee, croissant, fruit cup and water bottle, I made my way to the platform to wait.
I had made a small search for Gummi Bears, but after pouting and giving up I found a vending machine on the platform that sold them. And even better was it gave me two bags for the price of one as the other one had been stuck. So far, I was doing pretty well.

I'm now sitting down, eating my fruit, drinking my coffee, with my backpack beside me on the bench. (Keep in mind there are two benches, both being occupied by one person and their bag right now.) So as I'm minding my own, and patiently waiting, an older woman, around 70 (who is in fine health I would guess), struts up, stands in front of where my bag is and tells me to move it (this is what I got from her motions). So I move my backpack and set it at my feet where it falls over, while the guy on th bench beside mine was already moving his bag of the seat for her before she arrived. But she promptly sits down right beside me and utters a haughty thanks. At this point I'm able to balance my fruit cup on my coffee while uprighting my backpack and then using my legs to hold it up. By using my legs to hold it up, I mean I can't touch the ground now because I'm sitting properly, and this was not as easy at it should have been.

Oh well, not so bad, I still have coffee and if she prefers sitting here, well I really don't have a choice. :)
As it's getting time for the train to arrive, I notice the man on the other bench start looking worried and he goes up and asks one of the platform attendants something.
They come back to where his bag is and he grabs his ticket and she tells him something. Then she asks me where I'm going. I say to Verona and she tells me the train I'm looking for is track 12. The one behind me. Apparently, it switched tracks. So I thank her and hurry to my designated seat because the train has already arrived, and I get comfy for the trip. I also happen to be sitting behind the sits-where-she-wants lady. Of course that's how it works. No worries though, she ignored me from then on out.

After six hours on the train, through Austria (they do check your passport while on the train), and then into Italy, I finally arrived at Verona Porta Nuova. This is where I catch my next train to Venice.

All through Italy so far, I have seen how beautiful it can be, but also how old it is. And that age is really showing. If I'm not in a city center or tourist locale, it seems that Italy is in some disrepair. Lovely, yes, but lovelier it was.

In Verona I patiently await my next train, which about an hours wait. Train finally arrives a minute after it's due to leave. I end up having to run (literally) to the other end of the platform to board the right car. I get on, find my seat quickly, and theres someone sitting there. There's three seats in a row, two old men, one on the inside and one the outside with the middle table down. I try telling the one on the outside he's in my seat. He doesn't seem to car. So after trying to decide what to do, because clearly him and I do not speak the same language, he motions to the rest of the car, which does have quite a few empty seats and we are just about to pull away.
I choose a different empty seat and leave him be.

The theme today seems to be that elderly people don't want me to sit down where I want or am supposed to.
I'd rather not make a big fuss though, as I'm in a foreign country and just want to arrive at my destination.

After a much shorter train ride (only an hour!), I arrive at Venezia Mestre.
After exiting the station I realize, this was not the right station I wanted to get to. Unfortunately this is where my ticket went to. I grab my googled map, which helps me little. Look at my written directions from the hostel, and then consult my Italy handbook. I walk a little ways, and see a sign that says Marghera. That's the direction I want to go, so I start walking. Why? Who knows. It's a lovely day and I'm quite enjoying it so far.

I end up at a bus stop and look at the routes for number six, the one I want to take. I can't find the stop I want on it. So I keep walking. I walk, and I walk, for a good half hour, in boiling sun with my backpack securely strapped to me. Finally I sit down at an empty bus stop. I look at my sheets and then up at the sign, and then at the location I'm sitting at. And I light clicks on. I look ahead in my written directions and realize that I'm on one of the streets I'm supposed to be at. Yay! After more map reading I also realize that the stop I got off at, makes a lot more sense to get off at and is closer to my destination. Fluky!

So then I start walking, I'm not sure whether I'm supposed to go left or right because I'm not at the point in the street where I should be, and after another good 15 minutes of walking turn around and head back the other direction. Lo and behold I find my next street. I turn down that and after 10 more minutes of walking, in which I realize that my sandals (oh you bet I'm wearing sandals they've been good to me so far.), have given me blisters. Right smack dab on the bottom of my feet. Now I'm getting to the point where I'm so close, and so exhausted.

I make it. I arrive at Camp Jolly (oh yea lol), and check in. It's literally a little campground that has small shacks (bungalows) and places for tents and campers, and then pr-setup personal tents. I get into my bungalow, and the air conditioning has been blasting so it's nice and cool, and I'm the only using it. I pick my bed and make it.

I left Munich Hbf at 9:30 a.m. this morning. I arrived at Camp Jolly, at 6:30 p.m.

I've spent the better part of my day travelling. So now after regaling you with my tales, I'm going to go to the campground restaurant and eat, and probably have a glass of wine. I deserve it.

Peace&Love
Chow

Do you see what I see?

When did I last update, lets see...

I believe I was in Soest. I updated all my pictures on facebook, in case you haven't noticed.

In Soest, I went strolling through the market part of the city with Mara and Aunt Suzanne, it was really nice. Brought back a lot of memories. It should, I`ve been there five times now.

With that ended my stay in Soest. The next morning I was up early, to the train station by nine, said my good-byes, promised I would be back. I can't help it. I know one day I will be. :)

Then it was the train rides to Munich... boring.
Well not that bad, I took one train from Soest to Hamm, then to Dusseldorf from there. And the one from Dusseldorf took me to Munich. Quick changes though. No more than fifteen minute wait times, which is quite nice, unless you`re running behind, because then you would be screwed.

Saw a lot of country side. It varies greatly, from trees and valleys to flat farm land and little villages. I took a bunch of pictures, and even a few videos with my phone. I will post those later.

Oh it`s a holiday here. I`m not sure if anyone knows that holiday, but it is, and everything is shut down.
By that I mean, one restaurant, a subway and a McDicks are open within a five block radius... or more. I got tired of looking. So basically it`s fairly dead. And all I want right now are gummi bears.
Oh the tragic times. lol, I will pick some up tomorrow, do not be alarmed. If I haven`t yet informed you, German gummi bears, trump all gummi bears. There. Now you`re informed.

Tomorrow it`s off to Italy!!! A whole new country... where I don`t speak the language at all. Should be a blast.

Peace&Love
Chow

Oh the rain, falling softly on my windowsill...

It's true, it's been raining all day. I don't mind though, it's still warm enough (I may be the only who thinks this) and I like the rain anyway, especially a walk in it.

So that's what I did today. Aunt Margret and I went for a walk in the cemetery where we visited my Uncle Hans' grave.

Their cemeteries are much nicer than ours, they look like a lot of mini flower beds all side by side. Each has their own rectangular spot, which is big enough for two or more people. In these they are all done up, with little shrubs, and flowers, and each is its own garden. They're well kept and free of weeds. It really puts ours to shame.

After that, Aunt Margret and I caught the bus to Bad Sassendorf which is a little town beside Soest. It's a good place to go if you want to get healthy. They have spa's and rehabilitation type centers. It's always a nice place to go for a cup of coffee or for a walk.

The rain didn't come down too hard so we walked around, arm in arm, with an umbrella and had quite a nice leisurely stroll.

And that's the basis of my day.

Most of you have noticed I'm sure, that there are pictures up on facebook. Well that's because I found the card slot in my laptop. It was hidden by a fake card that I didn't notice when I looked last.

I hope you enjoy the pictures, and my commentary on them. I'm just going to state for the record, that I was never one to take a lot of pictures, and up until two years ago didn't really own a camera.
The one I have I got for school, so I was even taught how to properly use it, but I still barely touch it. I'm just not a camera person.
So with that being said, excuse my pictures. They're really not that great, I do know how to use my camera, but I still tend to take crooked pictures (between that and my klutziness I'm starting to wonder), and there was a few pictures where I forgot to take my sunglasses off.

In the meantime I will keep learning as I go and hopefully soon I will be taking some awesome pictures. You think with a camera as fancy as mine it could do that without my having to push a bunch of buttons.

Peace&Love
Chow