Italy and Greece J July 2006 tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-06-19:/blog/?domain=thedcgroup 2006-08-15T09:33:40Z thedcgroup img/travel-blog-feed.png Under the Tuscan Sun tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-08-15:/blog/?domain=thedcgroup&thisblog_entryid=18&entryid=20331 2006-08-15T09:33:40Z 2006-08-15T09:33:40Z Well, this is my last town before I head home -- Cortona -- where Under the Tuscan Sun was filmed. It is a quaint medieval town with a wall around it. I arrived yesterday and they are having a 2 day STEAKFEST...which is pretty darn hilarious since I don't eat meat! (well, pork or beef anyway) My hostel is nice. It feels like a summer camp because of the bunkbeds. I picked a top ... Well, this is my last town before I head home -- Cortona -- where Under the Tuscan Sun was filmed. It is a quaint medieval town with a wall around it. I arrived yesterday and they are having a 2 day STEAKFEST...which is pretty darn hilarious since I don't eat meat! (well, pork or beef anyway)

My hostel is nice. It feels like a summer camp because of the bunkbeds. I picked a top one by the window so I can see the Tuscany countryside during the day and the twinking lights at night. However, my window is less than 5 feet from a church's belltower and when that thing goes off, you pretty much jump out of bed! I am on the 3rd floor so I am eye level with the ringing things!

The shops are nice here. They are full of unique handmade items or foods from the area. The galleries are nice, too. I am enjoying just wandering the streets since everything, even the buildings, seems to catch my eye. City streets lead to archways taking you to the outside for a nice view. The sunset is impossible to describe here, but eveything gets this golden glow about it. No wonder people want to move here!

I visited the church at the top of the hill today and what a climb it was! I was huffing and puffing because it was so steep. Then I went further up (because I am glutton for punishment) and went into the fort that was built in the 1500's. The views from the top of that are unbelievable. Eveything is green or yellow or gold and the houses have old orange tiles. Inside the fort was a temporary art exhibit and they had Impressionist works -- my favorite! I was the only one there then so I had the gallery all to myself.

I plan to meander some more today and tomorrow and then I fly back home on Friday so this may be my last post for this trip. I had a great time and can't wait to plan my Greece trip....and my Central America trip....and my...... :) You get the picture.........

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]]> Florence tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-08-13:/blog/?domain=thedcgroup&thisblog_entryid=17&entryid=20071 2006-08-13T19:13:56Z 2006-08-13T19:13:56Z I made it to Firenze as they call it. The architecture is fabulous and the sun setting was amazing!! I listened to a violinist in a piazza play classical. I windowshopped at Prada, Dolce and Gabbana, and all the other designers. I was more interested in the buildings than what they are selling! The view from the Ponte Vecchio bridge is great. It is the only bridge not destroyed in 1944...the enemy thought it ... I made it to Firenze as they call it. The architecture is fabulous and the sun setting was amazing!! I listened to a violinist in a piazza play classical. I windowshopped at Prada, Dolce and Gabbana, and all the other designers. I was more interested in the buildings than what they are selling! The view from the Ponte Vecchio bridge is great. It is the only bridge not destroyed in 1944...the enemy thought it was too beautiful! They have little shops on it, mostly selling jewelry.

Firenze seems small, clean, quiet, and friendly....unless it is just because of their holiday month. I may visit some museums tomorrow and then I am off to another town in Tuscany......

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]]> Rome and more! tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-08-12:/blog/?domain=thedcgroup&thisblog_entryid=16&entryid=19825 2006-08-12T11:31:13Z 2006-08-12T11:31:13Z I spent Wed. in Rome. I got to see the Vatican Museum where I raced through to see the Sistine Chapel. My neck hurt...they should give you a mirror! Then, I went to St. Peter's Basilica where I stood in a line that stretched all the way around the square only to get inside and find out it was the line to see the popes' tombs!!!! I didn't care about that at all as I am ... I spent Wed. in Rome. I got to see the Vatican Museum where I raced through to see the Sistine Chapel. My neck hurt...they should give you a mirror! Then, I went to St. Peter's Basilica where I stood in a line that stretched all the way around the square only to get inside and find out it was the line to see the popes' tombs!!!! I didn't care about that at all as I am not Catholic! From now on, I will ask where the line goes! I did get inside and it was impressive. I also took pics of the colorful Swiss guards...you couldn't pay me to wear that outfit!

Then, I took a train to Sulmona. It is in the Appennine mountains east of Rome. The town is in a valley and the mountains tower in the background. I visited Pacentro, a truly quaint medival town complete with the remains of a castle. Sulmona was small and clean and quiet. You can hike nearby in the national park, but I wasn't there long enough. They have a large public garden with gravel trails and many benches...I really liked this area.

I ended up in Venice on Friday night. WOW! It is beautiful. I met up with a fellow traveller from my country and we went sightseeing and had dinner next to the canal. We rode a water taxi through the canals today and have walked many winding streets and alleys. It is great...there are no cars! We may do a gondola ride if we can find others to share the cost and we may go to a Vivaldi concert tonight.

Right now, I am starving and ready for lunch! Tomorrow we leave for Florence. How many people can say they spent their birthday in Venice?!

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]]> Naples for the last time! tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-08-07:/blog/?domain=thedcgroup&thisblog_entryid=15&entryid=19344 2006-08-07T13:09:48Z 2006-08-07T13:09:48Z Today, I went to the Duomo, the Naples Cathedral. It was impressive inside. St. Gennaro's bones are underneath the altar and you can go downstairs to see them. (He is VERY famous here.) I even went to the excavation site underneath the church. It was neat to see old Roman walls and roads that were covered up by other buildings over the last few centuries.... Then I went to San Lorenzo Maggiore...another church with better ruins underneath. ... Today, I went to the Duomo, the Naples Cathedral. It was impressive inside. St. Gennaro's bones are underneath the altar and you can go downstairs to see them. (He is VERY famous here.) I even went to the excavation site underneath the church. It was neat to see old Roman walls and roads that were covered up by other buildings over the last few centuries....

Then I went to San Lorenzo Maggiore...another church with better ruins underneath. You could see the shop walls and areas where they collected water, did laundry, the town bank, etc. I really liked this site better.

I windowshopped for awhile, cruising down the back streets with the locals. Headed home on a train, ate lunch at my favorite veggie place for the last time, and started to do my laundry.

Tomorrow I may go to Vesuvius and then pack since I leave early Wed. morning for other parts of Italy.

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]]> Amalfi Coast tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-08-06:/blog/?domain=thedcgroup&thisblog_entryid=14&entryid=19165 2006-08-06T09:37:14Z 2006-08-06T09:37:14Z Well, Friday I got to go to Bagnoli to "Turlte Point" to see the aquarium where they keep injured sea turtles. I love turtles so I was thrilled to see so many (about 30) up close. Several weighed twice what I do and had heads larger than my hand! One was missing a flipper, another lost an eye, one couldn't swim, one couldn't dive, etc. They stay there until healed or until they die. Yesterday, ... Well, Friday I got to go to Bagnoli to "Turlte Point" to see the aquarium where they keep injured sea turtles. I love turtles so I was thrilled to see so many (about 30) up close. Several weighed twice what I do and had heads larger than my hand! One was missing a flipper, another lost an eye, one couldn't swim, one couldn't dive, etc. They stay there until healed or until they die.

Yesterday, I took a ski-boat from Pozzuoli to Positano. It took about 2 hours, but the coastline just kept getting more amazing the further we went. The cliffs rise straight up -- no gentle slopes there! The houses are stacked on top of each other. I visited the somewhat famous homemade lemon granita sand in the main plaza. I must say it was the best so far -- not too tart, not too sweet..... I walked around a little and then caught a bus to Amalfi.

I got to sit on the right (so I could see the cliffs drop to the sea) and in the front row! The only thing in front of me was the windshield. Whee! It was crazy! Twice it looked like the front of the bus was hanging off of the edge! I loved it and took several pictures. Just don't turn your head to look at something because then the bus driver has to whip the bus back the other way and you feel lightheaded.

The bus takes you right to the port in Amalfi and that is where the action takes place. You can sit outside and look at the ocean and the bathers and the blue water. I went to a sandwich place and had a bite to eat before I visited the Church of St. Andrew. I got to see the small cloister, the museum, the crypt, and the cathedral for 2.50 euro....cheap! The museum has a pope's hat looking thing (sorry, not Catholic) with over 20,000 small pearls on it from the 13th century. The cathedral actually had a piece of St. Andrew's skull on display. Why? I don't know...remember I'm not Catholic.

The fountain in the plaza is somewhat famous. It is in front of the massive steps that lead to the aforementioned church. Here is what I find funny....the marble lady has fountains coming out of her breasts....around here, people just tip their head to drink out of fountains all over Italy, but never have I seen one like this! I wanted a picture of someone doing that, but the water wasn't running from there that day...oh, well, I took a picture anyway.....
So, let's see, in the same area, you have nipple fountains and saint's skull bones.....hmmmmm

I walked around the winding roads, up and down several flights of stairs (it is a cliff town) adn then, tired, I took a ski-boat all the way back to Pozzuoli. I headed to my favorite veggie place and ordered everything green that they had. You must understand, Italy is a great place, but I must have more veggies and salads! I cannot live on pasta, pastry, and cappuchino alone!!

I head out Wednesday for more travels. I have enjoyed staying in the Campi Flegrei area. It translates to Flaming Country because of the history of volcanoes and sulfur pits and thermal springs. Also, I am staying near one volcano and can see Mt. Vesuvius from here!

My blog mentions Greece in the title, but I won't make it this time. I will save that for another trip...a much cooler, less costly, much less crowded trip......In other words, I will go there off season!

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]]> Miscellaneous..... tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-08-03:/blog/?domain=thedcgroup&thisblog_entryid=13&entryid=18849 2006-08-03T16:38:16Z 2006-08-03T16:37:18Z The past week has been ordinary. My host returned from his trip on Sunday so I went to pick him up at the airport. For luch, we had swordfish -- the first seafood I have eaten while here. It was really good grilled with just oil and lemon. Why is it back home that we feel the need to drown our food in sauces?? That is one thing I like here....the food is fresh, with ... The past week has been ordinary. My host returned from his trip on Sunday so I went to pick him up at the airport. For luch, we had swordfish -- the first seafood I have eaten while here. It was really good grilled with just oil and lemon. Why is it back home that we feel the need to drown our food in sauces?? That is one thing I like here....the food is fresh, with no chemicals or preservatives.

I decided against going to the island of Capri. It is the official month of vacation for Italians so it will mean big crowds and long lines for everything. I did go to the beach late one afternoon. It was weird because the sand is grey and not like back home. It is like being on dirt. The water was nice, though. I had rotisserie chicken from a roadside stand that is very popular. The man sprays something on the chicken before he gives it to you...the container looks like one they use for pesticide! ha ha It was really good!

I bought my train tickets for when I leave here next week. That was an ordeal. I had to buy like 7 tickets and one Italian man started yelling because it was taking so long. I didn't let him cut in front of me...I was there first so he had to wait. He eventually quieted down when he saw I wasn't fazed. It did take almost 45 minutes for me to finish.....I booked my rooms so I am all set to backpack and I hope everything goes smoothly. I also hope my train windows go down or that they have AC!!

I went to the beach again this morning before it was crowded. The first hour it was overcast and cool. Then the sun came out and I roasted! There was a man not too far away who kept staring...what a freak! How about you go fix your missing teeth and put on a decent bathing suit!! It was a white speedo...and a little too transparent. He strutted around with his chicken legs, but I never would make eye contact...Personally, when it comes to men's swimming attire, more is better!!!

Then I grabbed an espresso with cold milk and a chocolate pastry -- my daily ritual now -- and walked through the town of Bacoli. It was riposo time so the shops were closing. I caught a bus back to my town and inspected the damage. I now officially have some kind of minor tan.....yeah!!

Still planning an Amalfi Coast trip before I leave next week and maybe back to Naples.

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]]> Caserta -- Royal Palace tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-07-28:/blog/?domain=thedcgroup&thisblog_entryid=12&entryid=18289 2006-07-28T18:31:10Z 2006-07-28T18:31:10Z Today I traveled to Caserta to the Royal Palace. It is about 30 minutes from Naples. Built to rival Versailles, I am sure it is magnificent inside. The outside is HUGE! However, I didn't go there for the palace, I went there for the Royal Gardens and the English Gardens. I spent over 3 hours wandering outside. When you first walk out of the palace, there is a looooong walkway with gardens to your ... Today I traveled to Caserta to the Royal Palace. It is about 30 minutes from Naples. Built to rival Versailles, I am sure it is magnificent inside. The outside is HUGE! However, I didn't go there for the palace, I went there for the Royal Gardens and the English Gardens. I spent over 3 hours wandering outside.

When you first walk out of the palace, there is a looooong walkway with gardens to your left. If you go straight, it is 3 km to the manmade waterfall at the end. They actually filmed the ending scene of the 1977 Star Wars there! Well, I walked all the way to the top of the walkway, which is the bottome of the waterfall -- you can't go up beside it. Along the way are fountains and trails. I chose to walk in the woods to stay in the shade.

At the top, you climb up some stairs and there is the waterfall ending in a fountain. The fountain has several statues in it.....I recognized Venus (I think.) Then, you turn to the right and enter the English Gardens. You follow the path to a marble statue of Venus bathing herself in this secret cove. They even built fake ruins nearby. The vegetation is amazing. I took a lot of pictures of this area.

Then you go on and see a smaller cave, bridge, and waterfall. These lead up to more ponds with fake ruins. I headed back to the waterfall and rode a bus down to the bottom this time! This time I headed to the Royal Gardens and got to wander through shady trails in the woods and see the area where the king liked to fish (a large manmade pond) and a child-size castle complete with moat for the prince to play! I kept wandering because the trails cut off at angles and I didn't want to miss anything. Several trails led to a small Cupid fountain, which wasn't even labeled on the map. I thought this was the nicest area. There was even a cave nearby......Of course, this is when I ran out of film! And I couldn't find pictures of this Cupid anywhere in the bookstore afterwards!!!

There is also a medieval part of Caserta, but I didn't know about it in time to go. I headed back to the house exhausted. I did like Caserta, though. It seemed cleaner and quieter than some places I have been. The sidewalks were actually regular size, not merely 1 foot wide like in some places here! If you are curious to see what some of this looks like, search for the Reggia at Caserta online. You will at least see the waterfall (and maybe recognize it) and the loooooong walk to get there.

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]]> Sightseeing with a travel companion... tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-07-26:/blog/?domain=thedcgroup&thisblog_entryid=11&entryid=18095 2006-07-26T10:07:32Z 2006-07-26T10:06:43Z Yesterday, I headed to Naples (Napoli as they call it) to visit a castle and ride a funicular (whatever the heck that it)...I rode the thing (a fancy name for an inclined railroad) to Vomero -- a cleaner, middle class, quieter part of Naples that overlooks the city. For 3 Euro, you can ride an elevator to the top of the castle to take pics, but you can't wander around it. What a ripoff! So, I started ... Yesterday, I headed to Naples (Napoli as they call it) to visit a castle and ride a funicular (whatever the heck that it)...I rode the thing (a fancy name for an inclined railroad) to Vomero -- a cleaner, middle class, quieter part of Naples that overlooks the city. For 3 Euro, you can ride an elevator to the top of the castle to take pics, but you can't wander around it. What a ripoff! So, I started browsing through some books there of other sights and museums in Naples that I may want to visit and I heard an American voice.....so I introduced myself. That is how I happened to hang out with Andy for the day. He was traveling alone (since his wife and 2 small children couldn't come along), seeing the sights, and heading out of the country for a conference in a week.

We walked next door, but the museum of San Martino seemed boring, so we took some pics of the city overlook (for free!) and caught another funicular down to the lower city. We saw the Galleria Umberto (Mom and I saw that. It's a glass domed mall of sorts.) Then we visited Piazza Plebiscito, a very famous open area to walk...or meet people.

For lunch, we headed to Gambrinu's (a famous spot), but it is slightly more expensive for a light lunch..so we turned the corner and went to a pizzeria. I explained to Andy the fact that you have to pay to sit at a table!!! They call it a coperti and it is a couple of euros to sit down....come on, what do they expect?? You are going to order pasta and pizza and STAND to eat???!!!

Anyway, we visited the gardens of the Royal Palace and decided to go inside. We saw the Royal theatre, where G7 members met a few years back. They had a throne room and some clocks from the 1700's....who even needed to know the time back then???

All of these places are next door to each other...even the Castel Nuovo....New Castle. This time we could walk in this one. It had this neat area where skeletons were exposed beside ancient ruins and walls....you actually stand on plexiglass about 5 feet above the crypts so it is strangely like you are walking on air..disconcerting at times. I, of course, wondered why they didn't hide the skeletons and put fake ones out to be respectful to the dead....

We headed over to the Church of Santa Chiara and walked in only to see a couple getting married way up front!!!! on a Tuesday!!! There were several other tourists inside..that would be irritating if it was MY wedding....we politely waited and then wandered around. There were many sarcophagi (big boxes with bones in them) all over the perimeter! It was too late to see the cloister, but we did see a monk...strange to me because it was a Catholic church...but I am not Catholic so maybe there are Catholic monks around.....?

We went to the Church of Gesu Nuovo. They are trying to get a famous Catholic doctor made into a saint to the best of my understanding. He died in 1927, but miraculously healed a young boy of leukemia first. It was a HUGE place and his rooms had been left just like he walked out a moment ago. (It does appear that he lived there.) People were praying to his statue and I even saw a nun go to confession...guess I never thought that they would have anything to confess.... The confessional was odd..you walked right up and faced the priest, not secretly to the side....

Enjoyed a pastry with Nutela in the middle (yum) and a lemon slushy granita and more cold water.....I swear that you sweat so much that you would sell your soul for cold water! In fact, I have been carrying around a frozen bottle of water...it is heavenly when it starts to thaw....but it makes my back hurt from carrying my pack of maps, ice, camera, etc....

At this point, my feet and back were hurting from all the walking so we parted ways...of course, I took a picture so you all wouldn't think I just walked around the city talking to myself....ha ha He's heading off to Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast and I will visit there before I leave Italy.....

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]]> Hiking and shopping.... tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-07-24:/blog/?domain=thedcgroup&thisblog_entryid=10&entryid=17943 2006-07-24T19:56:35Z 2006-07-24T19:56:35Z Well, yesterday I hiked up Mt. Nuovo. It is right near where I am staying. It is a young volcano...it just erupted 500 years ago so it is still a baby! I hiked up the trail, passed a decaying cat..is that a sign, I wondered...kept going up, up, up...It got pretty steep at times. At the edge of the crater, I looked down..it is even steeper on the inside of the crater! It had trees and ... Well, yesterday I hiked up Mt. Nuovo. It is right near where I am staying. It is a young volcano...it just erupted 500 years ago so it is still a baby! I hiked up the trail, passed a decaying cat..is that a sign, I wondered...kept going up, up, up...It got pretty steep at times. At the edge of the crater, I looked down..it is even steeper on the inside of the crater! It had trees and rocks in the crater...nothing like I was expecting..then again, if I saw lava and steam, I may not be here typing this now!!!! Took a picture and then turned around and took a picture of the coastline, bay, and all the boats...it was a nice scene from up so high.....

Sat on a wall and rested a little...thank goodness I brought ice water! Returned home, passed the cat again...caught some rays....not too many, but I definitely scream "tourist" with this pale skin!

On to today....I went to Pozzuoli...had this wierd feeling that I should go see this church for St. Gennaro..not sure why except that I knew an Italian in high school with that last name so maybe that was a factor...anyway, I get there just as a bride and groom are being pelted with confetti...it was nice...so I sat and watched from a distance while they visited.... Then it struck me as odd...they (pretty much everyone except the bride) were wearing black AND this was a Monday wedding at noon...hmmmmm...

Well, I waited until they cleared the area and a man who was sweeping informed me that the church was closed...I think it closed at noon....DARN!!!! It didn't open for 3 more hours or some such nonsense based on what he mumbled in Italian.... so I caught a bus back to town and it was time for stores to close so I went home, made pasta and had to open a can of tomatoes by stabbing it with a knife!!! I couldn't find a canopener in the house!! Of course, I didn't hold the can with my other hand...what am I, stupid??? It was messy, but it worked.

Then I got some sun, knitted, and when it was cooler I went back out to shop a little. I ended up buying a bathing suit and a tanktop. I wasn't looking to really buy anything, but if the suit fits....and it's on sale....you know the rest.... Now I can lay out in my new suit and get no tan lines on my rear if you know what I mean...JUST KIDDING!!! They have those here, but I didn't get one!

My favorite little pizzeria is closed on Tuesdays so I went by and ordered a sandwich to go..I can make 3 meals out of it! I also ordered tiramisu because who goes to Italy and doesn't try that??? It was good, by the way......

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]]> Living the life of the locals.... tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-07-23:/blog/?domain=thedcgroup&thisblog_entryid=9&entryid=17786 2006-07-24T19:37:11Z 2006-07-23T09:18:14Z Well, it is Sunday and I haven't done too much since Mom left. I went yesterday to Pozzuoli to the Rione Terra. It was the oldest part of the city, with streets dating back to 194 B.C. It is mostly subterranean and so a guide must take you so you don't get lost! There were several areas for taverns, even a bed and breakfast, and a bakery for their bread. The giant grindstones were still intact! ... Well, it is Sunday and I haven't done too much since Mom left. I went yesterday to Pozzuoli to the Rione Terra. It was the oldest part of the city, with streets dating back to 194 B.C. It is mostly subterranean and so a guide must take you so you don't get lost! There were several areas for taverns, even a bed and breakfast, and a bakery for their bread. The giant grindstones were still intact! They even had cisterns to collect water and a sort of sewer system. Nero had a walkway made for the people and there were very small rooms that are thought to be part of a brothel. Whoo-hoo!

I lucked out since my guide spoke English. That doesn't usually happen until late afternoon with a group reservation...

The group I ended up with were Bulgarians traveling as a delegation on Regional Development. Their own personal travel guide translated a few words for me when the site guide's English was difficult to understand. They were all very nice and polite and one even took my picture overlooking the city. At the end, I spoke to one of the girls and one of the men hit on me. Imagine that! I travel to Italy to get hit on by a Bugarian! Their guide even offered to give me a lift on their tour bus to go to a castle with them....I had already been, so I declined. Nice people, though....

I stopped by my favorite veggie restaurant, ordered several veggies to go, and headed home. It is about 1/2 mile to the house....uphill.....I heated up my lunch since they like to eat things cold here. I even put ice in my Coke! That is unheard of here. Then I did what all good Italians do that time of day.....NAP! When I woke up, I lounged on the terrace, getting some sun. Later, I went to the grocery store. They have Special K cereal here! I may get some next time! I bagged my own groceries (It's not Publix, you know.) and walked home. I tended the garden and fed the cats and researched some online for my trips to N. Italy. I even watched a little BBC..it's the only English channel I can get! That's all so far....It's Sunday morning and I may attempt to do some hiking today....

Living the life of the locals.... remains copyright of the author thedcgroup, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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]]> O Sole Mio! tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-07-20:/blog/?domain=thedcgroup&thisblog_entryid=8&entryid=17515 2006-07-23T08:55:31Z 2006-07-20T20:17:33Z Not sure if that is the correct Italian heading but you get the point! Mom and I took it easy yesterday since we had to get up EARLY for Rome today. Didn't sleep for some reason, got up at 4:00 a.m. and then took a series of trains to get to the Rome airport. Stayed with mom until she went to her departure gate and then I darted back to the main Rome train station -- a ... Not sure if that is the correct Italian heading but you get the point! Mom and I took it easy yesterday since we had to get up EARLY for Rome today. Didn't sleep for some reason, got up at 4:00 a.m. and then took a series of trains to get to the Rome airport. Stayed with mom until she went to her departure gate and then I darted back to the main Rome train station -- a virtual hornet's nest -- to get a refund for the mistake with my railpass....

That was an adventure...I did not take NO for an answer from the first 3 employees and I think I finally wore them down! I got my money, but didn't have time for the Vatican since they close early....so I went to another (quiet) place. I went to a church called St. Peter in Chains. It has the actual chains that held Peter when he was imprisoned, according to the Vatican. They were in a glass ark type thing that was set up as an altar, with these little tree-shaped candle holders so you could light candles for people. I lit one for my three grandparents that passed on and Alton and Mania and my great-grandmother....you get the picture. I'm not Catholic, but it seemed to be a nice thing for remembrance...besides, I want someone saving me a seat up there!!! :)

Then, I went back to the train station, caught the slowest, hottest train in Rome and headed home. (No, I didn't know it at the time, silly.) It was over 30 minutes late, which made me almost miss my connecting train. There would have been a meltdown heard 'round the world! (Picture the Peanuts cartoon strip where they throw their head back and cry....) Anyway, I rode to the ends of the earth with a window that didn't go down.....finally made it back to my stop...had a healthy dinner of ice cream since I was too tired for anything else...and now I am ready for a shower and sleep......

Oh, I met a girl on my last train who was listening to country music....Sammy Kershaw singing about a doublewide trailer.....so I KNEW she had to be American and from the south...Sure enough, she is from North Carolina.....where I want to move back to....small world.... She is staying near here so we may see each other at the train station....

Ok, here is my disclaimer: Sentences that I write on this blog are to be considered correct grammatically. I am usually too tired when I write these things to care much about that until I return home....then my writing, spelling, and speech will be impeccable again!! ha ha

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]]> Procida and Ischia (two islands) tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-07-18:/blog/?domain=thedcgroup&thisblog_entryid=7&entryid=17339 2006-07-18T19:08:12Z 2006-07-18T19:08:12Z Today, we tried to do too much and it backfired! First, we went to Procida...it was very small with hardly any tourists. We couldn't go to the abbey because it was closed, so we snacked, killed time and got on a hydrofoil (a boat on steroids) to Ischia. We arrived there so late that we couldn't go to the hot springs, the beach, and shop like we wanted. We also had communication problems with several busdrivers ... Today, we tried to do too much and it backfired! First, we went to Procida...it was very small with hardly any tourists. We couldn't go to the abbey because it was closed, so we snacked, killed time and got on a hydrofoil (a boat on steroids) to Ischia. We arrived there so late that we couldn't go to the hot springs, the beach, and shop like we wanted. We also had communication problems with several busdrivers so we never made it to the thermal springs that this island is known for....They are supposed to be able to cure what ails you!

We hopped another bus and drove all the way to the other side of the island because it is supposed to be a white sandy beach. All of the beaches here seem to be grey dirt, but I guess it is actually volcanic rock since there are several volcanoes around here....Mt. Vesuvius is one of them.... We never saw any white sand and the beaches are all so crowded...plus we didn't want to miss our boat back home....and my head was hurting...so we left...it took over 2 hours to get back to the mainland....

We were disappointed that we didn't do more on Ischia, but the busride was incredible! The island is very clean and has a lot of beaches and ports which were full of yachts...maybe even mine one day!!!! ha ha There were mountains so tall on the island and so green that it reminded me of Hawaii....not that I have been there.

We got back to our town and had gelato again. Mom had one of those mini cones that I swear they call "miniblob" and I mixed two flavors...coffee (this IS Italy!) and one that I can't pronounce. I had it before..it is like fudge ripple. At the bottom of my cup, when I was almost done, I panicked! There was an oval shaped black object in my ice cream....since I am always the one that winds up with the dirty silverware, or a hair in my food, or a bug...I was grossed out...I examined the specimen only to find it was a COFFEE BEAN!!!! OF course, that makes sense...I was soooo relieved it wasn't a roach...which, by the way, we haven't seen any of these lovely creatures here.....

For dinner, we had pasta and Mom made fresh "squealed" lemonade...she was tired when she said that....but I imagine they would squeal if they could as she was grinding them on a juicer.....obviously, we are both tired...

Tomorrow is Mom's last day here so we'll see if we can ride another train without paying!!! We are getting used to wearing these "lost and confused tourist" looks on our faces anyway....

Procida and Ischia (two islands) remains copyright of the author thedcgroup, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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]]> Slow day.... tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-07-17:/blog/?domain=thedcgroup&thisblog_entryid=6&entryid=17272 2006-07-17T19:43:53Z 2006-07-17T19:42:02Z Today we had the best weather so far! It was overcast this morning, but it never rained. However, this made incredible breezes all day long....for once, I didn't sweat to death! :) Well, Mom and I planned to go to an island today, but the early ferries were not running and we didn't want to wait until midafternoon, so we decided to go tomorrow. We chose to check out the shops in a suburb near our ... Today we had the best weather so far! It was overcast this morning, but it never rained. However, this made incredible breezes all day long....for once, I didn't sweat to death! :)

Well, Mom and I planned to go to an island today, but the early ferries were not running and we didn't want to wait until midafternoon, so we decided to go tomorrow. We chose to check out the shops in a suburb near our house....I found a great pair of sandals for 10 Euro...about $12.00!! We had pastries (again) and I had another cappuccino. (When I get home, I will need an espresso I.V. drip....and I was totally off of caffeine before I came here!!!)

We bought our train tix for Rome and this time we actually paid for the WHOLE trip! ha ha We shopped in an open-air market where you get to bargain for the price of what you want...interesting....Lunch was an incredible sandwich, like a panini, with fresh warm bread, chunks of mozzarella, fresh cherry tomatoes, basil, olive oil, oregano, and maybe even garlic...oh, and ham...aparently he forgot the "NO CARNE" part!! Of course I picked it off!! We also had french fries...French fries are very popular here...they even put them on a pizza with slices of hotdogs! Gross!

I can't believe I actually eat tomatoes here! Never in my life have I liked the slimy things, but here they are so tasty...maybe because in the states they are shipped before they are ripe and they are full of pesticide and chemicals.....

Then we went back to the house to rest (reposo)...Mom napped and I got some sun on the terrace whie reading. I am still working on my knitting...I think my scarf is now 18" long! I am impressed since I had my first knitting lesson 5 days before my trip. I haven't forgotten how to do it, so maybe when I return, I will have a 5 foot neck scarf!

We decided to walk to some shops when they opened again and ended up going to the grocery store. They do not have the variety we are used to in the U.S. and finding health food is impossible...I found soy milk for the first time today...I had to resort to the nasty stuff that comes out of a cow this past week!!! We bought 6 2Liter bottles of water and I carried them about 1/2 mile back UP the hill to our house...what was I thinking???? My arms are so numb that typing is difficult....my spelling (on which I have always prided myself) is growing worse the more I study a foreign language...pretty soon I will be spelling things incorrectly in 3 languages!! Remember to email me privately if nobody else should see it...or make general comments here... Ciao!

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]]> Rome in a day! tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-07-16:/blog/?domain=thedcgroup&thisblog_entryid=5&entryid=17156 2006-07-16T18:06:49Z 2006-07-16T09:53:56Z Well, you can't actually see everything in Rome in one day...we haven't been to any islands yet as planned...but we did make it to Rome yesterday (Saturday). It was an adventure in more ways than one! We had problems with my railpass when we bought tickets so the man at the train station told us to get a refund for them back home. He had to call the Rome terminal to try to use the numbers. ... Well, you can't actually see everything in Rome in one day...we haven't been to any islands yet as planned...but we did make it to Rome yesterday (Saturday).

It was an adventure in more ways than one! We had problems with my railpass when we bought tickets so the man at the train station told us to get a refund for them back home. He had to call the Rome terminal to try to use the numbers. Mom and I waited for over an hour, then checked back with him, and he gave us the seat reservations, telling us the railpasses were basically not working. blah, blah, blah....

Thinking we paid for the trip on the train since he gave us seat assignments, we got on the train Saturday...two hours into the trip, when they checked our tix, we were informed that we hadn't paid afer all!!!! We had to visit the train officials in the main station when we arrived. The English was translated wrong when I originally reserved our seats and then again on the train because it went from our railpass numbers not working to my railpasses being stolen! Not true! Aaaargh!

One girl at the station was very helpful and said she was getting off of work soon but that she would tell her friendliest coworker our story to help us when we returned later on...as fate would have it, the coworker didn't come in and we were on our own again to explain this horrible story to several more people in a mixture of English, Spanish, and Italian...

Later we had to report to the station an hour early to figure out what to do since we apparently hadn't paid to return home either (according to their computers)....Well, that is not exactly true -- we paid $600 back home....believe me, I will be on the phone for a refund with STA travel!!!! We had to buy tix for the Eurostar, their fast train at 300 km per hour, but it was a comfy ride back home..and we got back early!

Now, on to Rome itself....We chose to see the Palatine Hill, Forum, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps....Trevi Fountain is beautiful, with a marble Neptune between 2 godesses...it is massive and the legend says that is you throw 1 coin in, you will return soon to Rome, 2 coins means you will fall in love there, 3 means you will marry ....so Mom and I threw in one each!! It makes sense -- we are returning in a few days for her flight out!! :)

On to the Spanish steps, which are basically steps that are a great meeting place for people..they are even featured in a famous commercial (I think) about "asking her to marry you all over again"....

Then we went to the Ancient City part of Rome, beginning with Palatine Hill, where Augustus lived. That overlooks a lot of Rome, including the Forum....this is where the Vestal Virgins lived, keeping the flame lit, the Curia, where Julius Caesar was murdered in 44 B.C., many temples, graves proving Rome was founded around 753 B.C., places where they voted, their first sewer, the oldest street in Rome (hard to walk on since it is so uneven!)....then to the Colosseum where 5000 animals were killed in it's 100 opening days!! 50,000 people could file in and watch the show back then!!!!

Many blisters later, we headed to the train station and the cooler underground....When I return, I will go to the Vatican, but mom will be flying and can't go......

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]]> Castles and gelato! tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-07-13:/blog/?domain=thedcgroup&thisblog_entryid=4&entryid=16942 2006-07-16T14:36:35Z 2006-07-13T17:17:51Z Today, Mom and I learned how to ride the bus...you have to go to a tobacco shop for tickets and NO ONE tells you that....then there are no bus schedules or times posted, so it's a crap shoot as to when the bus will come by, and if it will be the one you need...then you have to flag it down...they are not keen on stopping for you! We ate at the same place as before with all the ... Today, Mom and I learned how to ride the bus...you have to go to a tobacco shop for tickets and NO ONE tells you that....then there are no bus schedules or times posted, so it's a crap shoot as to when the bus will come by, and if it will be the one you need...then you have to flag it down...they are not keen on stopping for you!

We ate at the same place as before with all the vegetables and then we shopped a little. After that, we hopped aboard a bus and just enjoyed the winding road along the coast...went to a castle that overlooks the bay and then waited in the sun for a bus to appear for over 30 minutes....

Now sunburned with sore feet from all the stairs around here, we stopped in the next town to see the Roman ruins...everyplace here has ruins....but we got in free for these because we paid to see the castle....If it's free, it's for me is my motto so we went here as well! These ruins were the remains of a summer palace for the rich...not much left to see but the outlines of different buildings and yet another naked male statue...Mom noticed that naked statues are everywhere here...not much different from the beaches -- where you see toooooooo much if you know what I mean....

Then we had our first granita (frozed lemonade) and it was refreshing but tart....They make them since lemon trees are everywhere...in fact, we picked some from where we are staying and they are almost as big as my foot!!! Then we finally got picked up by another bus...haven't figured out all the meaning of the various colors of buses here....made it to our town, had our first gelato (ice cream)....mom ordered lemon and it was like a lemon sherbet slushy combination...mine was like fudge ripple....very delicious!

Then we dragged ourselves with our 4 liters of bottled water up the 100 steps to our villa...cooked a little pasta with our fresh veggies, showered, and sat down to write this...we are tired from all the walking!! OH, mom practiced her Italian today to order some water....I forgot to tell her to say "senza gas" or you get fizzy water...which she says is awful...when she went back in to order correctly, the lady laughed at her.....tomorrow we plan to visit an island....not sure which one yet....how do you like that????

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]]> More enjoyable moments..... tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-07-11:/blog/?domain=thedcgroup&thisblog_entryid=3&entryid=16750 2006-07-16T14:34:35Z 2006-07-11T21:02:34Z Last night, we visited out host's neighbor across the way. He served red wine (it is Italy!) and crackers....the wine was excellent and very expensive....so of course I took more when offered....didn't get drunk, but if I had, it was only across the street! Today, we visited Cuma, Italy. We got to see the corridor that led to Sybil. She was like the oracle at Delphi where you went to get your questions answered. It was ... Last night, we visited out host's neighbor across the way. He served red wine (it is Italy!) and crackers....the wine was excellent and very expensive....so of course I took more when offered....didn't get drunk, but if I had, it was only across the street!

Today, we visited Cuma, Italy. We got to see the corridor that led to Sybil. She was like the oracle at Delphi where you went to get your questions answered. It was a looooong corridor that was cut out of the rock. A local dog acted as our tour guide and led us everywhere! Then we climbed to the top of the ruins to see a temple to Apollo. It was built by Daedalus when his son, Icarus, flew too close to the sun and was killed....mythology.....I liked the story so it was nice to see where it supposedly happened.

Afterwards, we went to a wonderful cafeteria where they had a LOT of cooked vegetables. If you know me, you know that made me veeerrrrrrryy happy! I'm not keen on meat or pasta or carbs so I thought I would starve here! Then we bought produce at the market next door so we can cook tomorrow. I had a cappucino at a cafe bar and tasted my first Italian chocolate and pastries.....YUM!

Later, we took a walk through the town, minding the speeding traffic....I am teaching my mom a few survival phrases in case the men bother us... so far, she can say "I am a married man." Hasn't quite got the gender part of that phrase correct, but it may ward them off faster!!!!!

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]]> First Day in Italy!! tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-07-10:/blog/?domain=thedcgroup&thisblog_entryid=2&entryid=16624 2006-07-26T09:37:34Z 2006-07-10T10:21:04Z Well, Mom and I survived getting here....over 24 hours of travel is hard on the body....a hot shower afer 48 hours = priceless! The first plane ride was over 8 hours and smoooooooth. The second one was turbulent and made you think about gravity! None of that compared to being driven on the Autostrade at 160 km/hr....not sure how many mph that is, but it is enough to make you pray!! Especially when motorcycles drive between ... Well, Mom and I survived getting here....over 24 hours of travel is hard on the body....a hot shower afer 48 hours = priceless! The first plane ride was over 8 hours and smoooooooth. The second one was turbulent and made you think about gravity!

None of that compared to being driven on the Autostrade at 160 km/hr....not sure how many mph that is, but it is enough to make you pray!! Especially when motorcycles drive between cars and cars drive in the middle of two lanes!!! I haven't figured out the rules to driving -- if there are any!!!!! All of this after our gracious host took a nasty spill, hit his head and back, scraped his arm at the Rome airport and we spent the first few minutes in this country in the First Aid office with him.....if he had passed out, we would be stuck due to the language barrier....As it was, my first attempt at the Italian language was directed at an Italian polizia (police) who, while helpful, spoke no English.....

Anyway, our host was examined and released and we hit the road....somewhat worried about a concussion and him driving so fast...but we lived.....Mom wantd a rosary to pray even though we are not Catholic!! He offered for me to drive his brand new car, but with no international license and no idea how to get to his home hours away, and being unable to read or decipher the road signs -- not a good idea....

Five hours after setting foot in Italy, we arrived at his house....WOW!! Marble floors, a whole upstairs to himself, a terrace that wraps around the apartment with a garden and adorable kittens, and fruit trees.....AND THE VIEW!!!! He overlooks the Tyrrhenian Sea...

What a night to get here....Italy won the World Cup so the fireworks and celebrations and horns and yelling went on for hours! The fireworks were in at least 10 places in this small town and some were over the water!!! Mom and I are getting used to things here and determined to get us a bidet when we return home! ha ha We are killing time now since a neighbor took him to get Xrays since he is very sore.....He is such a charming man that he thought of our breakfast first before his medical visit. He was nice enough to direct me to the store down the way to get bottled water....I struggled with the language, resorting to Spanish...they must think I am a freak here....

Anyway, until he returns with a clean bill of health and "schools" us on the area and my housesitting duties, taking us later to a friend's house for a bottle of red wine, and takes us to the best pizza place, we are waiting here....... so Ciao for the moment!

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]]> Preparing for Journey! tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-06-19:/blog/?domain=thedcgroup&thisblog_entryid=1&entryid=14870 2006-06-19T17:19:14Z 2006-06-19T17:19:14Z Ouch! The shots for my trip stung a little and my arm aches, but if it keeps me from getting sick then I don't mind!! I am collecting things I need for this 6 week adventure -- mainly a good backpack. We leave soon after July 4th. My mom has never travelled overseas so this should be fun for her! Once she returns home, I still have 4 more weeks of living la dolce vita! I will ... Ouch! The shots for my trip stung a little and my arm aches, but if it keeps me from getting sick then I don't mind!! I am collecting things I need for this 6 week adventure -- mainly a good backpack. We leave soon after July 4th. My mom has never travelled overseas so this should be fun for her! Once she returns home, I still have 4 more weeks of living la dolce vita! I will try to return here often to describe my travels...so bookmark this page if you want to keep up with me! :)

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