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Macklen's Euro Trip
Hello! Wow, i feel like i have been on a whirl wind tour these past few days. To update you all - I had a beautiful time in Mykonos...basically beached evey day (and got burned the last)...ate at beach-front restaurants each night. They all have specials for combo meals - a pasta, salad, glass of wine, and bread for 10-15 euros. its pretty worth it, especially here where prices are much higher. The little town of Mykonos is pretty touristy, but fun to walk through. It is packed with white buildings holding hotels, shops, and residences. The small path ways (about 4 feet wide) twist and turn and maze their way back and forth from the beach area...I got lost a few times!
I left Mykonos on a 2am ferry to Athens. I arrived at 8am with a haze over me. I found a corner to sleep in in the restaurant area...on a circular couch of some sort. I slept on my bags (with brandon's advice and calming words) because i was really nervous...all kinds of people just sitting around, me having no idea who was sketchy or not. but i slept ok...half asleep...half choking on smoke that was everywhere. who knew you could smoke on a ferry...obviously ALL of the greeks.
Once in Athens I made my way to the train station to pick up a train to Patras...about 3 hours west in Greece. That was the most akward and scary train of my experience here. My reserved seat was by the window, and some strange man behind me kept slowly slipping his hand in the space between the window and my seat to touch the back of my arm! it was the strangest and scariest thing!!! But I stared him down, moved to a safer area next to some English speaking people and sat for 3 hours with all of my eyes open wide. I was thankful to get off that train and on to the ferry waiting in Patras.
The ferry was about 14 hours from Patras to Bari, Italy...and it was smooth sailing (or smooth ferrying...dunno if thats a term!) In my room was a kind Greek woman with a 2 year old son - who was adorable!!! He spoke Greek or Italian (dunno which) and was the cutest thing...with curly, thin brown hair, and huge, big eyes! He slept all through the night, which was nice!
I had a few hours to kill in Bari so I walked around the city, had some lunch, and then boarded my next train to Rome. The train ride was about 6 hours long, a bit hot, but manageable. The train kept getting delayed, I was just thankful to have some food in my bag which I could nibble on, instead of buying the expensive train food.
I got in Rome around 10pm, called my travel agent for the address to my hostel and then called Brandon so he could help me find it on his GPS system. He is amazing! I told him the name of the train staion, and the address of the hostel...and he could tell me exactly where I was and needed to go. I took a taxi because it was about 5 miles away and it was dark. This worked out perfectly, I arrived shortly after, got settled, and called my mom and Brandon to say I arrived safely!
I am only in Rome because it was easier, cheaper, and quicker to fly from here to Barcelona - rather than taking a 3 day train there from Greece! It wasn't planned to stay here...but in order to catch my plane I had to leave Greece a day earlier...conflicting train, ferry, and plane schedules. It's really a lot to coordinate - but I love figuring that stuff out - I love organizing and planning things!!!
Ok, so I'm REALLY excited for Spain - this is going to be the best part of my trip I think!!!!!!! I leave tonight!!!
I hope everyone is healthy, happy, and safe. I LOVE YOU ALL!!! - macklen
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