Saturday, June 28, 2003

Planes, Trains & Automobiles


PLANES, TRAINS & AUTOMOBILES
That is the Title of the last portion of my trip. I wish I had more time to write but we have an appointment to see Michelangelos David here in Florence. Yippee! I miss being surrounded by so much art. I just wished I remembered what I used to know. Such is life. When I last left you I was in Capri. We got to see the Grotta Azzura. It was more of a Disney Ride than anything. It is absolutely gorgeous and worth the money but swimming after hours is the best bet. I think I already told you this. Well, we hiked around Capri with our backpacks leaving puddles of sweat trailing us in case we lost our way. We saw so many gorgeous views that if I wasn't sweating so bad, I could actually see them. We hopped on a ferry to the beautiful city of Sorrento. We were only there for a couple of hours before we took a bus ride along the Amalfi Coast. It is so severely beautiful. It is a small winding road along a cliff side. I am glad I am not afraid of heights. We met a nice couple, James and Kristy, they suggested we should stay at this place they stayed in Amalfi. So, why not! Mistake number 1. After 2 hours of waiting for the people to pick us up, we finally got to the hostel location...so we thought. With our fat backpacks on, we got to hike up 378 steps straight up...literally. Buns of Steel has nothing on me!!! The sight was gorgeous until I saw where we were staying. It was literally a cave, a big hot cave!! No showers for us. Note to self, never stay at a place called Big Willies. I did get to sleep one foot away from a snoring Australian named Peter. Did I say sleep? No, I don’t think I slept whatsoever. Around 7 am we headed out of that hell hole straight to Pompeii. We joined a tour filled with British couples. I loved it! So much art, architecure and many cultures coming together. The highlight was a trip to the GS Supermercato. I felt right at home there. We went back to Rome and stayed with Sarah and Roberto. They make me laugh my head off. We were tempted to stay longer but we must keep moving. We saw everything in Rome. St. Peters will take your breath away. It-s a must see for everyone. I must go. We are in Florence, finally! After a train ride and a hike to find an open hotel, we are staying in a small sauna with a mosquito farm in the room. I miss air-conditioning. Pray that it cools off here before I melt away...literally. Thanks for putting up with the long emails! I love hearing from you and care about you all so much. Your prayers are precious and much needed. I am loving it here and can't believe it has actually happened. Praise the Lord (PTL)
p.s. Dad, the places I've stayed makes Tre Api (Aka Tre Crapi, look like the Grand Wailea in Hawaii)

Tuesday, June 24, 2003

Capri


I made it to the Naples train station with no problem. It was nice to sit and not think about anything for an hour or so. I was also thankful to have that backpack off my back. Note to self: next time get the one with the wheels (dad, I know you tried). All I had from my friend Trey was that he would be at the station around 4 or 5pm. I waited and waited and waited and wondered if I was going to have to spend the night in that hell hole. After much prayer and turning down guys named Antonio who offered to help me, Trey miraculously showed up at 6:30. We quickly hopped in a taxi (too expensive but we were both so elated we didn’t care). We found ourselves next on a ferry to Capri and it was gorgeous! A man from a little hostel (Busso di Hermes...we affectionately call it herpes) picked us up and took us up treacherous roads to this cute little place. we slept in bunk beds in a room with 3 girls from jersey. Ignoring the mosquitos and intense heat (and Robin’s snoring) i had a great night of sleep. Today we got breakfast from a market (we're cheapos) and went to the Grotto Azzura. Beatiful, I wish we were staying long enough to swim in it. I also hit the nostalgic old place where I went 6 years ago. Of course it brought back memories of my island romance with Carmine (nothing steamy there). I think we are heading towards Sorrento/Amalfi coast and then to Florence. We are definitely vagabonds in the best of sense. Thank you all for you fun responses. I will email you individually when I can. Thanks for your many prayers. I sure have needed them.

Saturday, June 21, 2003

Rome


MY FIRST DAY IN ROME
I arrived and everything went smoothly. My friend and her boyfriend could not be more helpful and wonderful. She has a great apartment near the Coliseum and her balcony looks out over a field. It's incredibly beautiful here...and scorching hot. Well, things didn't run so smoothly yesterday afternoon. Sarah (my friend) and Roberto went to his daughters ballet recital, so I ventured by myself to the center of Rome. I took a bus but didn't buy ticket because no place was open to sell one. I got there fine and saw the spanish steps, Trevi fountain, many piazzas and beautiful churches. I also had a little gelato. When I ordered I felt like I had to do it perfectly or I would be yelled at. I decided to take the bus back because it would be a long...LONG walk home. After 1 stop a man came to check the tickets. Beads of sweat were forming on my brow. After he realized I didn't have a 70 cent ticket, he began speaking gibberish to me (some of which I understood thanks to 2 years of Italian in college) and pointing at some sign. I played dumb and he kicked me off the bus. He and some other man began discussing my fate. I awaited the firing squad. I showed him I didn't have enough euro to satisfy him and they began to escort me to a bank. I sheepishly with batting eyes mentioned it was my first day in Rome. Lord have mercy! They finally let me off with buying a ticket instead of paying them 50 euro. Of course no one was selling tickets so they told me to walk. And boy did I. After almost 2 hours I finally took a taxi. I did get to see more than I bargained for (Capitoline Hill, Roman Forum, Coliseum, Roman Baths, etc.). But the whole thing landed me in tears (no doubt due to a furious case of jet lag) when describing to my friends what happened. That was nothing compared to stories she had. Roberto gave me a huge hug and now I can laugh about it. Today I spent riding on the back of Roberto’s scooter to the beach. I just closed my eyes and held on tight. Those Italian drivers are maniacs! I am now suffering from a severe spanking from the sun. I best be going and sorry about the rambling story.