Sunday, March 13, 2005

Florence

Lauren and Melissa and I are now in Florence. Rome was beautiful but it was time to leave. I realized that on my last post I had said what I had last done in Naples and that it sounded like I was talking about being in Rome. But I just made that post when we arrived in Rome and hadn't really done much. SOOOOOOOOO I will give the story of Rome!
We left Naples on a train and on the train we met another Canadian. A guy from New Brunswick named Joesaiah. I honestly don't think that he we the brightest crayon in the box and he didn't smell very good (although he appologised for that when he introduced himself ......so at least he was polite and honest). Our train ride wasn't too long and we got off at the Rome terminal and tried to find a hostle. Our first pick was full but they helped us out and phoned another for us and told us where to go. Trecking around in that backpack for a long time isn't that much fun. I don't think i'll want to look at it for a while once I get home. We got to the other hostle called Freestyle....sound pretty cool hey. Well the guy running it was really nice, his name was Kumar, and one of the other guys names was Tictac (I'm not joking). And they set us up with beds. This hostle was tiny tho, they somehow fit 11 people into a small room, so it was really packed. In the morning it was almost imposible to be able to go to the bathroom. But they give you free breakfast and dinner with wine and free internet ....so it wasn't too bad. The first day there we went and saw the colosseum and the roman forum on a guided tour which was really interesting. It was a really sunny day that day too so it was nice to be outside. We then headed up the the pantheon and on the way saw some amazing churches. It was just incredible to even stand in them. Then later that night we decided to go out, there was supposed to be this cheap pub crawl. One of the other girls staying at the hostle wanted to come with us and she spoke italian which was a real help. One of the guys working at the hostle gave us the wrong directions to the meeting place (the spanish steps) and we ended up getting lost because we forgot to bring our map. By the time we got to the spanish steps we had missed the meeting time and they had gone...so we wandered around a bit and then finally asked some locals where the best place to go was. they pointed us in the direction of a little piazza (not pizza) and we found a nice little bar. We had alot of fun the bartenders were really funny. One of them had a fake moustashe drawn on and a green wig. They were tossing bottles around and making the most elaborate drink i've ever seen. So it was pretty much decided that it was a good thing that we were late for the pub crawl. In the end tho I ended up being the one to look after all the drunkies....like carry Lauren to the taxi....hehe. So the next day it took us awhile to get out of bed and get on our way to see all the other stuff in Rome. We went to the Basilica of St. Peter which was HUGE and beautiful....we wanted to go to the dome but the line up was WAY to big. We then had some lunch and then went to go to the Vatican Museum, unfortunatly it was closed. There was no way I was going to be all the way in Rome and then miss the sistine chaple so we had to stay another night. We had already checked out of the hostle tho and they had given away our beds. All of the other hostles in Rome were booked solid . I have developed a huge dislike for the USA's spring break. Tons of these kids are here, they are taking up all the room in all the hostles and they aren't here to take in all the sites...they are here to party and get laid. Kumar was helpful though and he rented Lauren and I a little room in the complex that all the hostle staff were living. I was so excited to get a good night sleep and not have to listen to other people crash around the room and make noise.But I was wrong. After we had gone to sleep I was startled awake by the most incredibly loud snoring you have ever heard in your life. It wasn't just snoring tho, it litterally sounded like this guy was dieing. When we were shown the room we were told that there was this guy that lived in this little cubby hole beside the door to our room. The space was the width of a single bed and that's all that was in it when we saw it. This guy was CRAZY. He sounded like he was tromping around outside our room and breathing really heavy and just grunting and then at some points in the night scream at the top of his lungs in a different language. At one point in the night I woke up and saw that our door was open and I went to close it and he scared the crap out of me ....I didn't realize that he was right outside our door nor did I even know that it a creapy guy making all the noise (for a while I thought it might be Kumar.....turning into some crazy man at night). I opened the door and he was sitting there staring at the floor and groning, reaking like alcohol and smoke and wearing two different flip flops. I literally ran back in and shook Lauren awake and said "Lauren there's a really creapy man outside our door and I'm freeking out, help me". So basically I didn't get any sleep all night and felt like complete crap the next day. So saturday we went to the Vatican and saw the sistine chapel and some amazing paintings. We also got to go to a Edward Munch exibit and the museum that houses the giant foot of constantine, which also happened to have a Escher exibit (I found this to be the treat of my day) We then went and got on a train and went to Florence. Lauren and I camped last night, and I had a great sleep. Today Melissa and Lauren and I went to the Ufizzi museum and stood in line for 4 hours. No fun! But once we got inside I got to see the incredible works of Da Vinchi, Boticcelli, Rembrant, Michaelangelo, and Raphael. It was all very amazing but I think I've seen enough renaissance painting for now. Tomorrow we are getting up early and Melissa and I are going to see the leaning tower of Pisa. Lauren wants to look at more paintings so she's going to stay here.

Anyway, I have writen enough to kill a person
I miss everyone alot
I think more people should post, and that cody should honestly try to give me some gift ideas.

There is something really funny tho, all the escalators here seem to not have the stair and the arm rest part syncronized so you'll be riding up and then suddenly realize that you arm is almost around the person infront of you and the first time it happens your so confused because you are sure that yopu wouldn't have but you hand up that far in the first place. It's too funny. We call it the creepy hand.

OKAY
MISS EVERYONE
LOVE AND HUGS
KELSEY!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well, Kelsey,
You just continue to crack me up. I love all the stories of your travels. The guy sleeping under the stairs beside your room in the hostel and snoring was too funny. Bob will sound very quiet compared that that I am sure. Tally and I just arrived here in Kelowna after four days in Vancouver at a dental convention. We had a great time in Hong-couver but are glad to be here in Kelowna for a few days. We plan to visit Tally's Mom and Dad and do a bit of work here around the house and property. It is beautful in Kelowna and the Lake looks like glass this afternoon. We just had chicken wings and french fries for lunch, with beer of course, since we have no groceries here yet. You are lucky that you saw the Sistine Chapel. When Tally and I were there it was closed, and we left for Calgary the next day so never did see it. We did see a lot of the Vatican Museum though, and saw all the different crypts for the various Popes. Some were so extravegant while others were so humble.....makes you wonder. We can hardly wait to see your pictures when you get home. Have fun...........safe journeys.....love Joan Abougucci

Anonymous said...

Hi Kelsey
I am so glad you are travelling with a friend. Much better than going solo. The Ufizzi has 1/3 of the entire worlds greatest art. I cannot think of a more wonderful gallery than the Ufizzi other than the Gelbekian museum in Portugal - Maybe it will be your next trip.

One thing that you forget when you get home is all the nut cases in the world that travel. (usually it is forgotten in the light of all those wonderful cute and delightful world travelers (guys), Infrequently I found a few travellers that were a few clowns short of a circus / few ants short of a picnic.I am so happy you have friends and are not doing this trip solo.

there is nothing that can get a person in touch more with their anger than snoring. Alcohol and age I found to be the culprits in this area - not prepared to discuss this here however you should know the virtues of ear plugs often found in harware stores. Jamie and I spent a few hours in Pisa and then carried on to Veraggio - a cool place on the Italian riviera.

My brother is dating an italian girl now and I am encouraging the romance because I would love a place to stay in italy, preferabley around either the provence of Umbria or Tuscony.

I love your postings and I wish you all the best in your travels. your postings have become an addiction. You are a doll for writing about your adventure. Take care and when in doubt laugh and have fun. And of course there is always Gelato.
All good things,
Jessica

Anonymous said...

Hi Kelsey,love hearing about your travels and experiences. Take care with the creeps. Only a short time now and you will be home. Savour the remaining days. I wounder if you would like to go to Salmon Arm On the 31st of March for your Grandmothers 80th B-day cellebration. Let me know.Love Bob

Anonymous said...

Hello Kelsey!! It's Elaine, just back from Toronto. Not a happy scene with my aged parents...will not burden anyone on this site with horrific details. Happy to be home, and happy to 'call you up and read' your ramblings. All the best, I've only got the best of thoughts for you and your friend.
Love the text!!! Elaine.