Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
This past weekend Jared and I decided that we wanted to go to Florence for a day. We had heard of this really great designer outlet mall, and that was enough to get us up at 530am on Saturday to catch the bus to the train station. It was kind of funny because neither of us had any expectations for the weekend, and so we just went in with the attitude of flying by the seat of our pants. Little did we know it would turn out to be the most eventful 24 hours of our European lives so far. I'll try my best to give a glimpse of what it was like, but I think it's one of those experiences that you just have to be there in order to get the full effect.
We caught the bus in the morning to the train station, and we were on it with a bunch of Italian high schoolers because apparantly they have school saturday mornings until 1pm. As we were driving, we all of a sudden stopped. The road ahead of us was closed, and there were gates blocking it. The bus driver then proceeds to back up the bus, which was a stupid idea because this was one of those long busses that had like a rotating part in the center that attached the 2 carts. He then stops, gets out, and leaves for like 15 minutes. None of us have any idea whats going on, but 15 mins later the gate was opened. When we get through the gate we come to another gate to leave...and its closed again. The bus driver then has an argument with the guy at the gate who looked like Santa, and they got into it. They were pushing each other and yelling...I just wish I could understand what they were saying. Funniest scene ever.
So we get to the train station after all this and get on our train. When we arrive in Padova, which is the town we had to connect in, we can't figure out what train we get on to get to Florence. We thought we could get on this one train that went to Rome which would stop in Florence, but that proved wrong. The conductor came up to us before the train arrived to check our tickets and proceeded to tell me in Italian that I needed a different ticket because this was a special train. When he realized I didnt speak Italian he spoke English, and I understood him better. All of a sudden this woman next to me puts her hand on my shoulder and very slowly says to me "I can help you". I didnt really need help, I mean, I could understand what he was saying...he was speaking English. But this woman wouldnt give it up. She was like "All you have to do is buy a ticket to Florence.....Santa....Maria......Novella. Give the man your money at the ticket station and he will give you a paper ticket to go to Santa.....Maria.....Novella." She spoke so slowly as if I was incompetent. For the record, I know how to buy a train ticket. I've been in Europe for 7 weeks now...I think I'm used to the public transportation.
We finally got on the right train to Florence. Jess and I were in the same compartment (she was going to Sienna so we were on the same train). It was a hilarious trin ride because we sat next to this 30 year old Italian man (one of the few good looking ones I've seen by the way) and neither of us spoke each others languages. There were these 2 other 20 year old Italian girls that sat across from us and spoke some English, so the 4 of us were having a great time trying to communicate to each other. The funny thing is that most Europeans learn English through music, so when we were talking about the states and we mentioned Miami, the guy started singing the Will Smith song "Miami". I just about died laughing. Another funny thing was that the only phrase Jess really knows in Italian is "Non che male"...which means no big deal. SOo she used this phrase in almost every context. They would say something about music or movies and Jess would just say.. No non capisco (I dont understand)....non che male. hahahah it was hilarious. At one point I just said "Stupido Americanos....non che male" OOOh it was funny.
Okay so anyways, Jared and I get to Florence and realize I dont have any info for our hotel. I dont even know the name. So we walked in circles around Florence for 30 mins to find an internet cafe...and it turned out we had to go all the way back to the train station to get one. SO long story short I find out the name of the hotel and we end up there 25ish minutes later. Now, I just got done reading my Frommer's Italy giude about how the location where the hotel is becomes a major drug dealing spot at night. GREATTTTT.
Well, we finally get to our hotel and the outside door is locked. So we ring the bell for service, and nothing happens. Some guy happens to walk by and have a key and he lets us in. We walk in to this desolate hallway and there is like these metal gates we had to pass through. It was really freaky. There was an elevator in the middle, so we get on and press floor 2 becauser it says "Hotel San Marco" on the sticker. The elevator only fits 2 people and these 2 metal doors shut and hit poor Jared, shoving him closer to me. I have never been in such a small elevator.
We get off at the second floor but there is only one door right in front of me. I ring the doorbell, and all of a sudden I hear this dog going nuts barking and scratching on the door. I was like praying this wasnt our hotel. After 5 minutes Jared said he heard noises upstairs so we went up a floor and finally found that this was the lobby. Boy did it smell bad too.
We get in and go to check in to our room and the woman glances for like 5 seconds at my piece of paper with the reference number and the name, and was like "Ill be right back". Well, 5 minutes later this other older woman with a face deformity and speech impediment comes and motions for us to follow her. She leads us down the back hallway and through this random white curtain, down the stairs, and to our room. She opens to room and there are 3 beds and no bathroom. We had booked a double bedrooom with a bathroom, and so we were so confused. In my mind, I hadnt checked in because I hadnt given them my passport and paid, so I was thinking this wasnt our room. After 15 minutes of trying to communicate with this woman who didnt speak any English that this wasnt our room, she finally got the other woman. Turns out they forgot to get us to pay and give them our passports..and they didnt have any more rooms with bathrooms. SO we got a 10 euro off discount.
This was the sketchiest place I have ever stayed at. Jared and I had to walk down this long hallway to go use the shared bathroom, so both of us vowed not to shower...ever. The first thing out of my mouth was "My mom would freak out if she knew where I was staying". hahahha
ANYWAYS...long story short, we went to the train station to get our ticket to the mall, which was like 30 mins outside the city. I went to a self-service ticket booth and the darned thing ate my 20 euro. That sucked.
Well, we get our ticket, and we arrive in the town of Usica. We get a taxi from the woman at the local bar who called for us. So we take this taxi and 10 minustes later we arrive at the mall. It was soooo awesome! It was all outside, and there were probably 12 designer outlet stores, including Gucci, Fendi, Armani, Diesel, Ferragamo, Burberry, Pucci, etc. Jared went a little nuts with ties and jeans, and I ended up buying Emilio Ungalo boots (ADORABLE) and a jacket and another pair of shoes from diesel. It was a good time.
After an excursion at the mall we arrive back at the train station at 7:15. We were standing on platform one, when we realized the train pulling up to platform 2 at that moment was our train. We SPRINTED down the stairs, underground, and back up the stairs to our train, and BARELY made it. It was crazy. But yea, we got on the train with no ticket...and the conductor actually ended up checking (which is rare)..but of course it happened to us, right? So we had to pay an extra 5 euro. grrr
FINALLY, we made it back to our hotel to change, and then started walking towards the Duomo to see if we could eat and find some action. We came to a square, and I saw a carousel and got to take a ride...which was fun! THen we ate outside this nice restaurant (expensive) and had a great meal. Afterwards we decided we wanted to get some sunglasses. There were vendors set up on the side of the street. Here is the following conversation:
Fake sunglass seller on the street: "25 euro for these Gucci sunglasses"
Jared: "No way, 8 euro. Molly, put your money away"
(Jared walks away)
Fake sunglass seller on the street: "These are Gucci, real Gucci. I give you authentic pretty case"
(I look at Jared)
Jared: "Molly, no. you're not paying more than 8"
Me: "But I really want these!!!!"
Fake sunglass seller on the street: "how much you willing to pay?"
Me: "20 euro"
Fake sunglass seller on the street: "OKAY!"
5 minutes later... Jared gets the same pair for 8 euro. Note to self: Never try and negotiate.
After that little episode, we walked around and came across a bar called JJ's Cathedral. It was FULL of American students...it was crazy. We met some random girls from Iowa State, and ended up going to some club with them. Again, the place was FULL of Americans. It was kind of aggravating to be honest with you. Florence is just bombarded with American students.
When we left to goo back to our hotel Jared and I got lost. He was a little under the influence and thought he knew where we were going. He led us 25 mins out of our way. Thank God I was sober and figured out how to get us home.
When we walked into our hotel at 330am, an old man in pajamas was standing in the middle of the hallway just staring at us. It was really freaky. I didnt know if he was going to say anythign to us so I just flashed my keys at him to show him I was going to my room. He then proceeded to speak in Italian...and I picked up that he was all angry because he thought I was bringing Jared home with me. Jared got all pissed and was like "I CHECKED IN!!" Finally the guy just gave up and we booked it to our room.
The next morning we met up with Katy who was there with her parents and wangted to travel back with us. We met at 8am, and got into the Academia to see David at around 815. It was amazing. He was a lot bigger than I expected but it was definitley breathtaking and I was really happy I got to see him. Then we went and saw the Duomo...which was also absolutley BEAUTIFUL!!! I think I have become obsessed with churches...and it makes me soooo excited for Rome! By the way, I can't WAIT for my parents to come for Easter!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nothing else really interesting happened. We pretty much just traveled back to Paderno after that, and arrived here at about 5pm yesterday.
What an eventful weekend.
- comments