I visited my friend Olti on Monday, who I met in Amsterdam in Bologna. He is doing his PHD there and had invited me to come see his town. It is a big university town, a mixed and diverse city. There are alway people out and about, some tourists but I felt more were locals. Their main square area was like a wheel with the roads like spokes of a bicycle tire. There is an area with 7 churches that are all bordering each other/ very close that is in the downtown area. They call it the red city because a majority of the buildings are an orangey-red color, and also almost all the sidewalks have an awning, like walking in a tunnel amlost but the side is open to the road. Olti said he never has to worry about an umbrella because 95 percent of the sidewalks are covered! Pizza update: I had even better pizza than Venice (lunch), and now I understand that when you order a type of pizza they give you the whole pizza, not just a slice. It is more common that when you order you get the whole pie. And I ate the whole pie too! The crust is thin and when you order a topping they give it to you, unlike some places in the USA when you order mushrooms they thinly sprinkle them on. Here, when you order funghi they give you lots! :) Absolutely delicious! That night we went to have aperitivo (a drink and some bar appetizers/food on a buffet line but you more take a small plate and then go for more after if you are still hungry). After that we went adn met his girlfriend and her friend and went to a bar to play fooseball and enjoyed some spritz!
The next day I climbed a tower they had in the center, a leaning tower...a little scary to look at and think that you will go into it! The 360 view was great and although there were 492 steps, it was worth the climb! I met a girl from Poland there and after the tower we got some special gelato from Gromo, actually an American brand but very tasty and only a few places in Italy. After that she joined Olti and I for a nice italin lunch at a local restarurant, great pasta (with parmigiana of course), coffee, limoncello...
That night we got pizza again and I found out the owners are from Campobossa region (Like Grandma). The pizza was extremely delicious, the same place I went on the first day in Bologna). We walked around town and had a drink in once of the outdoor patio bars in the center and then went back and hung out at the apartment, I repacked my bag for the next morning departure.
SIENA
I arrived in Siena on time as planned, which at first I thought I was going to miss my connection because my first train was 20 minutes late and the original schedule said I only had 5 minuted to change trains but my second train was also late so I made it within 30 seconds of it taking off- I got very lucky! Marco picked me up from the station and he dropped me off in the center of Siena while he went to work, but I didnt have to worry about my backpack which was nice. It was a good thing I brought my rainjacket because about an hour into my town exploration it started to rain. Even with the weather I really enjoyed Siena, it looks straight out of a movie- the small winding streets, up and downhills, little shops everywhere containing wine, cheese, meat, spices, gelato, pizza, souveniers, etc.
There is a church that reminds you of a zebra because it is black and white striped! The main center slopes downward in the open square. Before it started raining it was a large gathering area for people to meet, hang out, sit and have lunch, etc. There were restaurant all arond the outside as well, that were always busy. When it had been raining for about an hour I decided to stp and enjoy a coffee (and take cover) so I took i Albanian style...aka sitting with your coffee for a long time and people watching, enjoying the scenery, and also liking the fact that I was under a roof, hoping that my jeans would somewhat dry..or at least not continue to get wet along with my sneakers..you all know walking around in wet sneakers isnt the most fun activity. Of course I had gelato too...something I will probably have just about everyday I am in italy because it is so good, also they have dark chocolate ice cream which is one of my favorites now that I have tried it. Also, Momma Mia (amaretto, peach, caramel and chocolate swirls, so tasty)! The rain let up after a few hours and as it started getting darker and the lights came on, the moon was rising above el campo (the center of Siena) and it was a beautiful sight. The sky changed from the darker grey to a royal blue and then a pinkish tinge of the clouds as well. I ended up at a gate right outside the main town to see the sun go down with a beautiful view of Tuscany, Oh Siena! That night Marco made a lovely italian dinner of pasta with red sauce, parmegiano, vino, coffee, and even dessert of a special polish cholocate. He is a true gentleman and I had a nice dinner with him!
SAN GIMIGNANO
The next day I went to San Gimignano for a day trip. I havent had otion sickness for a number of years now, but being on that bus for about an hour with all the sdden starts and stops, windy roads, and the heat made me feel like I would vomit. Fo the ride back I went to a farmacia and bought a special medicated gum (yes, a gum) so I would make it back without getting sick again.
San Gimignano is a gorgeous town, a touristy main strip but in my opinion a smaller version of Siena. The town had the same small windy up and doen hill streets, a fantastic view of farmland below (the town is on a hill) and of course has lots of small specialty shoppes. I tried some wine from the region, found delicous cheese that was flavored with aromatics of wine (I sent some of it home, its a good thing they vacuume seal it). There was a shoppe that had their gelato voted the best gelato in the world in a world gelato championship for two years, Donatellos, and indeed it was very tasty! I had one that was purple, and it was a ricotta base with berried, totally amazing!! That night Marco and I went to a resturant to get some pizza and beer and then walk around Siena by night. He gave me a tour and I liked a lot of the places better at night- they were lit up and also the crowds were gone. Siena is famous for a big horse race and I saw where they were building the area for the party for the section of town that won (like a big block party). Also, I found my favorite plazza in Siena (the name was very long, it had the name of three people in it..Bindi being one of them) but that small square was so beautiful!) Words cannot describe how lovely it was! It was like I was back in the Mideival times.
FLORENCE
Friday morning I went to Firenze for the day (Florence). It is very useful that at the train station you can check your bag, it made walking around in the town a lot more enjoyable. Florence is a beautiful town, but a lot bigger than the last ones I have been in! A lot to see, but because I had limited time, I went to the visitors office and the lady there gave me a map and a suggested route to see some of the more famous things in just a day. Every town has a lot of piazzas, churches, and cathedrals. The main cathedral here was spectacular-Cathedral di Saint Maria del Flore- very large and the design and pattern of it was captivating. My favorite was the panoramic view that you get to by taking bus 12 to the top of the hill to the Michealangelo piazza. Up there as well was a recreation of the famous statue of David. I saw the Piazza della Signore and the Palazzo Vecchio, my favorite bridge area so far. The Basillica di Santa Croce was next, then I proceeded to Piazza Pitti which had a gallery and was near to the school area. The Basillica San Spirito was a smaller square with less people, a chrch, and a market. It was a ncie area to sit and take a rest- I have been doing lots of walking and touring!! After that I went to the Basilica si Saint Maria Novella and the main square. I headed from there to the grocery store to buy some dinner and have it before taking the train to Rome!
OFF TO ROME....
Monday, October 1, 2012
Venice
I took the train from Switzerland to Venice, amazing train ride views! I changed in Milan, they have a large marble central station that is a very large building. Outside they have a nice fountain, but I was only there a short time so I didnàt explore Milan too much. I arived at night to Manuels house, before I grabbed a slice of my first pizza in Italy, and in Milan had my first real Italian Gelato (yum!).
Satrday morning I went into Venice and on the way I met three lovely Scottish women who were there together celebrating their birthdays! They took me with them on the water bus and then I joined them in exploring Venice! They had been there preiously so they had an idea of the main areas to go to. Walking through Venice was like a fiarytale, all the small streets, crossing a lot of bridges, and the water was so bright- greenish color. I had heard that the water smelled but I didnt notice. Manuel told me it was only on very hot days becase they water was evaporating and the water isnt very clean so that would make the stuff in the water smell more with heat and humidity. The ladies had kids that had gone on backpacking trips as well so that was nice to hear about. I am always happy to hear about other peoples travel experiences! We had lnch together as well, and I enjoyed window shopping with them. I collected a patch with Venice on it so I can add it to my suitcase too. We parted shortly after lunch (this was the ladies last day in Venice, they had to fly back to Scotland the next day, so they wanted to relax before the journey- I dont blame them!). I spent the rest of the day in Venice and at night went back to Manuels house.
Sunday Manuel accompanied me to Venice where he lived for 30 years so it was nice to have a tour guide! He was so knowledgeable about the city and about Italy in general! I had the most amazing gelato I had ever had, at a place along the water with a characture of a penguin on the sign, I dont rememebr the name of the place unfortunately. Also, the best espresso I have ever had, it tasted creamy but there was no milk added...I will always remember that! I definitely have to bring some Italian coffee back home with me! (Yes, since being in Italy I have begun to drink it again..the thing about coffee here is that you have small cups, not the gigantic ones that Americans like to drink so I think it is better for me: and you also savor the taste more because you sip more slowly here!!
On the tour, I saw some of the quieter streets, less touristic side to venice. I saw where Manuel went to school as a child, and also the most northern part of Venice where there is a small park area. There are numerous churches in Venice, way too many to be able to go into all of them. We took a short gandola ride across the water and saw 2 weddings.
Gandolas, I never knew how specialized the industry was either! In order to be able to be a captain or driver of a gondala you have to go through many steps. First, you need to have your own gondola They are custom made and there are only 2 places left to have them made so you need to be on a list and it usually takes about 2 years to have one custom built, according to your measurements. The side the rower stands on is wider than the opposite side too, for balance. After that, you need to go to a school to learn to row and manever them because there is not a lot of space in the canals and you need to be able to go around other boats and turn them around and keep your passangers safe, etc. The test they put you through at the end is hard and not everyone passes. If you get through those steps, then you are put on a waitlist for a job because the city sets a number of people that can have the gondola jobs and if there is not sn open job then you have to wait for someone to retire and be the next on the list to be able to work in the industry. SO, you may go through all the steps and then not be able to get a job!
Unfortunately my camera decided to have a lens error and stop working, so I was very glad that I took a lot of photos the day before! At Manuels house, we ordered a pizza and he gave me some cool music and introduced me to some sounds I had not been aware of before, an Islandic band that was pretty cool.
Venice thoughts: It was absolutely beautiful, very touristy but with good reason! It is too bad its sinking, but well worth visiting and spending a few days as to not rush through this gem of a city. Maybe someday I will get married here....
Satrday morning I went into Venice and on the way I met three lovely Scottish women who were there together celebrating their birthdays! They took me with them on the water bus and then I joined them in exploring Venice! They had been there preiously so they had an idea of the main areas to go to. Walking through Venice was like a fiarytale, all the small streets, crossing a lot of bridges, and the water was so bright- greenish color. I had heard that the water smelled but I didnt notice. Manuel told me it was only on very hot days becase they water was evaporating and the water isnt very clean so that would make the stuff in the water smell more with heat and humidity. The ladies had kids that had gone on backpacking trips as well so that was nice to hear about. I am always happy to hear about other peoples travel experiences! We had lnch together as well, and I enjoyed window shopping with them. I collected a patch with Venice on it so I can add it to my suitcase too. We parted shortly after lunch (this was the ladies last day in Venice, they had to fly back to Scotland the next day, so they wanted to relax before the journey- I dont blame them!). I spent the rest of the day in Venice and at night went back to Manuels house.
Sunday Manuel accompanied me to Venice where he lived for 30 years so it was nice to have a tour guide! He was so knowledgeable about the city and about Italy in general! I had the most amazing gelato I had ever had, at a place along the water with a characture of a penguin on the sign, I dont rememebr the name of the place unfortunately. Also, the best espresso I have ever had, it tasted creamy but there was no milk added...I will always remember that! I definitely have to bring some Italian coffee back home with me! (Yes, since being in Italy I have begun to drink it again..the thing about coffee here is that you have small cups, not the gigantic ones that Americans like to drink so I think it is better for me: and you also savor the taste more because you sip more slowly here!!
On the tour, I saw some of the quieter streets, less touristic side to venice. I saw where Manuel went to school as a child, and also the most northern part of Venice where there is a small park area. There are numerous churches in Venice, way too many to be able to go into all of them. We took a short gandola ride across the water and saw 2 weddings.
Gandolas, I never knew how specialized the industry was either! In order to be able to be a captain or driver of a gondala you have to go through many steps. First, you need to have your own gondola They are custom made and there are only 2 places left to have them made so you need to be on a list and it usually takes about 2 years to have one custom built, according to your measurements. The side the rower stands on is wider than the opposite side too, for balance. After that, you need to go to a school to learn to row and manever them because there is not a lot of space in the canals and you need to be able to go around other boats and turn them around and keep your passangers safe, etc. The test they put you through at the end is hard and not everyone passes. If you get through those steps, then you are put on a waitlist for a job because the city sets a number of people that can have the gondola jobs and if there is not sn open job then you have to wait for someone to retire and be the next on the list to be able to work in the industry. SO, you may go through all the steps and then not be able to get a job!
Unfortunately my camera decided to have a lens error and stop working, so I was very glad that I took a lot of photos the day before! At Manuels house, we ordered a pizza and he gave me some cool music and introduced me to some sounds I had not been aware of before, an Islandic band that was pretty cool.
Venice thoughts: It was absolutely beautiful, very touristy but with good reason! It is too bad its sinking, but well worth visiting and spending a few days as to not rush through this gem of a city. Maybe someday I will get married here....
Switzerland
In Switzerland, I went and stayed in Luzern, near the middle of Switz on a lake. Such a beatutiful place0 the lake and the mountains together!
The first night I was there, Markus had band practice, he is in a carnival band that plays dring the festival in February right before lent starts. He plays trumpet and it was neat to see their practice; they played modern songs and most everyone in the band had been in it for 7 years at least. Markus had been in it 14 years! He used to be the president of the club but retired last year but still participates in it. The band also has a costume theme and they make their costumes- usually they consist of masks that are very detailed (I got to see the room where the equiptment to make the masks was and some of the ones from previous years)!
Tuesday I explored Luzern. The panoramic view of the Alps on the lake was beautiful and I walked along the old wall with 9 towers that you can climb up half of them. The view from the tower is even better because you can see the landscape with the lake, mountains, the valley, boats, fields, etc. Behind one of the churches there was a large garden that was once used as a cemetay. I saw the famous lion monument, it was a lot larger than I had imagined! Carved into a rock cliff and in front of it there is a pond (you canàt get too close to the monument) but it was breathtaking. Lots of Asian tourists there!! After a while I decded to buy a treat from a bakery, a rhubard cheesecake pie, and sit on the lake and eat it. That night we went to watch football (American soccer). The game was against the ALbanians, and all day I saw lots of Albanians around town with their flags wrapped around them, and wearing their colors and being very loud in support for their team..Switzerland won (The game was IN Luzern) and so near the central station it was madness. We took a different way home to avoid it! Markus had another guest from New Zeland that night named Christof as well who joined us. There is a wooden bridge that was lit up that we went across at night after the game which was really nice to see, one of the oldest bridges in Luzern!
Wednesday it was quite rainy so I used the morning for research and planning the next art of my trip which was very needed because I had not set up anything else previous to my time in Luzern, all I knew was that I was headed to Venice! The afternoon the rain lightened up and I walked with Christof through the towers again and this time the mountains looked much more clear in my photos because the weather (The rain made everything mroe visible). I also decided to go to Zurich and meet one of Markus friends I met the night before and see that area.
Thursday I did a day trip to Zurich and met Renato. He showed me around Zurich and it surpassed my expectations. Zurich is known as the business district but the Old Town in very beautiful! Everywhere you go in Switzerland there is nice scenery, always bodies of water around. The morning I went into some churches, saw a place that is in the game monopoly, and then I met Renato and we went to the University. At the top of the hill there was a great panoramic view of Zurich, and then walked down the most expensive (in the world) and very famous shopping street- Bahanhoftstrase, saw the fountain that was in the lake. We walked under a bridge so we were eyelevel with the water and then enjoyed a beer at Renatos favorite cafe bar. Next I saw an area that was home to crazies at night and then it was time for me to head back to Luzern. I enjoyed the day and the good company.
On my way to Venice I stopped in Interlaken, another town on the lake and it was SO beatiful! I would totally reccommend a train ride through Switzerland, the views are like none other that I have ever seen, probably the prettiest train ride I have ever taken so far! The views were spectacular and I had a nce sunny day to go so that made the visibility even more clear and the colors were so bright and captivating scenery! The houses on the hill looked like sprinkles on a cake...the mountain backdrop and the turquoise waters added to the gorgeousness that took my breath away.
The first night I was there, Markus had band practice, he is in a carnival band that plays dring the festival in February right before lent starts. He plays trumpet and it was neat to see their practice; they played modern songs and most everyone in the band had been in it for 7 years at least. Markus had been in it 14 years! He used to be the president of the club but retired last year but still participates in it. The band also has a costume theme and they make their costumes- usually they consist of masks that are very detailed (I got to see the room where the equiptment to make the masks was and some of the ones from previous years)!
Tuesday I explored Luzern. The panoramic view of the Alps on the lake was beautiful and I walked along the old wall with 9 towers that you can climb up half of them. The view from the tower is even better because you can see the landscape with the lake, mountains, the valley, boats, fields, etc. Behind one of the churches there was a large garden that was once used as a cemetay. I saw the famous lion monument, it was a lot larger than I had imagined! Carved into a rock cliff and in front of it there is a pond (you canàt get too close to the monument) but it was breathtaking. Lots of Asian tourists there!! After a while I decded to buy a treat from a bakery, a rhubard cheesecake pie, and sit on the lake and eat it. That night we went to watch football (American soccer). The game was against the ALbanians, and all day I saw lots of Albanians around town with their flags wrapped around them, and wearing their colors and being very loud in support for their team..Switzerland won (The game was IN Luzern) and so near the central station it was madness. We took a different way home to avoid it! Markus had another guest from New Zeland that night named Christof as well who joined us. There is a wooden bridge that was lit up that we went across at night after the game which was really nice to see, one of the oldest bridges in Luzern!
Wednesday it was quite rainy so I used the morning for research and planning the next art of my trip which was very needed because I had not set up anything else previous to my time in Luzern, all I knew was that I was headed to Venice! The afternoon the rain lightened up and I walked with Christof through the towers again and this time the mountains looked much more clear in my photos because the weather (The rain made everything mroe visible). I also decided to go to Zurich and meet one of Markus friends I met the night before and see that area.
Thursday I did a day trip to Zurich and met Renato. He showed me around Zurich and it surpassed my expectations. Zurich is known as the business district but the Old Town in very beautiful! Everywhere you go in Switzerland there is nice scenery, always bodies of water around. The morning I went into some churches, saw a place that is in the game monopoly, and then I met Renato and we went to the University. At the top of the hill there was a great panoramic view of Zurich, and then walked down the most expensive (in the world) and very famous shopping street- Bahanhoftstrase, saw the fountain that was in the lake. We walked under a bridge so we were eyelevel with the water and then enjoyed a beer at Renatos favorite cafe bar. Next I saw an area that was home to crazies at night and then it was time for me to head back to Luzern. I enjoyed the day and the good company.
On my way to Venice I stopped in Interlaken, another town on the lake and it was SO beatiful! I would totally reccommend a train ride through Switzerland, the views are like none other that I have ever seen, probably the prettiest train ride I have ever taken so far! The views were spectacular and I had a nce sunny day to go so that made the visibility even more clear and the colors were so bright and captivating scenery! The houses on the hill looked like sprinkles on a cake...the mountain backdrop and the turquoise waters added to the gorgeousness that took my breath away.
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