Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Adventures of Gamblegirl
Subject: Adventures of Gamblegirl - Italy Part I
Destinations: Florence and Rome
Buongiorno!! Come stai? Molto bene. Suddenly my year 7 (limited) Italian has come in much handy. Yes kids, I am in Italy. Woo hoo!!! And no it's not Lygon Street during world cup or Grand Prix time. I am in the home of Pasta, Pizza, Gelati and Art. Also really sleazy men, hawkers who don't understand the word NO unless you shout it at them, and like in Paris the horrid metro system. It's all good!!!
First stop is Florence via Pisa. In Pisa is a little building, don't know if you have heard of it, it's called the Leaning Tower of Pisa. It's not famous at all really. Naturally I have to do the dodgy photo of me pushing it upright but in all seriousness... I've seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa, I've seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa.... Am very excited about seeing it, can you tell?? It's amazing. There are somethings in my life that I was so sure that I would never see. The Eiffel Tower, The Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Colosseum are just a few of them. To see them, in real life is really mind blowing for this girl.
After seeing the Leaning Tower of Pisa, it was on to Florence . For those that don't know, Florence is famous for being the home of the Renaissance art and a some what average artist by the name of Michaelangelo and some guys by the name of Leonardo and Raphael (where was Donatello? Would then have the complete Ninja Turtles collection!!) Florence has been described as being a "living breathing museum" and I can see why. The city itself is like art. It's gorgeous. Florence is also the home to a particular sculpture done by that average artist Michaelangelo called David. It's not bad - okay it's friggin amazing. Taller then what I'd expected - yet at the same time still oh so small. Hee hee. What is about all the sculptures that are selling their models short!! I thought guys always over estimated themselves!!!
In all seriousness, I loved Florence. It was smaller then what I thought it would be. I dunno why but I thought that it would be bigger. Roma on the other hand, yeah well that blew me away.
Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!! I'm in Roma. If I loved Florence, then I am smittened by Roma. Okay it was freakin' hot (am tanned, am tanned - sure it's the tops of my feet and arms but am still tanned!!!) and the campsite we were staying at was atrocious but Roma itself is cool.
Have never walked so much in my life. Our first stop was to the Vatican City (which for those who choose to blissfully not know anything in life, is a country in itself). To walk thru the Vatican it is 7 kms. 7 kms of magnificent art work (again done by that dodgy artist Mike) and the Sistine Chapel is like a major art explosion overload. It was so hard to look at one particular thing because there was so bloody much to look at!!
Knackered, I walked on thru out Roma itself. Roma is everything that I love. Full of history, good stories, ancient ruins and architecture that is way before it's time. I love listening to all the old myths and the history behind something as simple as a house. It makes me look at my own country and feel sorry that we have none of that really. Threw a couple of coins in the Trevi Fountain for luck and to return to Rome. Was so knackered from all the walking that I'd done and the heat, that I stumbled into the Pantheon, had a quick squiz, went that's amazing and sank down to rest my poor feet. Thank god, there was a gelati shop near me or otherwise I wouldn't have survived without my Baci and Creme Caramel gelati!!!
Made a quick stop at a little arena called the Colosseum. Sure it's not as famous as the G but was still pretty amazing. Okay in all seriousness it was #$*#)(*%$)%*#$)*% amazing. My mouth was hanging open the whole time. It's finally hit home that s***, I was in Europe!!
On our final day out of our campsite, saw some deer which was kinda surreal. I mean when do you get to see deer in your campsite!! For this girl never.
Then it was on to Pompeii. I was so excited about seeing Pompeii. It was something on my list that I wanted to see. Pompeii for me was a shattering disappointment. Not the ruins themselves , although a bit of organisation wouldn't go a far, but I only had an hour there and my tour guide was terrible. I was shattered. Absolutely shattered.
Now am about to go into something that might me a little too much detail for others, but it needs to be discussed. The toilet situation. You have the following kinds - ones with seats (and don't we get excited by THAT!!), ones that don't (what can't afford the seat? What's with that?), Greek style (thanks Hamish for the tip on this too!!), which means that re the loo paper, it goes into a basket next to the loo and not in the loo. It is very gross, stinky and well foul!! Finally there is well nothing but a whole in the ground. This is what I have called the European squat. For those that don't want to know, move on now. Basically this girl has to squat, hold her pants in safety distance and then place her feet on the allocated standing spots. Arse to the world, she must pee. Suddenly being a boy is far more appealing then being a girl. One has to pray that she a) don't lose her balance b) not question what is that stuff around her c) hope she gets it into the whole. Now try doing this on a ship. Yes fun and games. Gives me flash backs of camping - shudder. Oh give me a proper indoor plumbing.
Next location is Greece and the Greek Isles. Have fun groovers, so this girl is having a great time.
Gamblegirl
PS. Love the pizza over here and the gelati. Far supreme then anything that I've ever had
Love and kisses from your neighbourhood freak!!!!
- comments