It has been a couple of days! We arrived in Nice four days ago (I think) and have enjoyed our hostel thoroughly. One of our favourites so far! We are staying in Villa Saint Exupery just on the outside of Nice. The hostel runs a nine passenger van back and forth from the tram stop every fifteen minutes in the morning and at night, which makes it really accessible and easy to get transport into the city!
When we arrived they had just become fully booked but luckily they are prepared for that situation and have eight bunks set up in the basement of the hostel. So we slept in the 'dungeon' our first night which wasn't all bad, but we're now sleeping in a dorm with other ladies. The Villa Saint is rated the top hostel in France, and its certainly making that impression on us so far! The front desk has information about the city and tours, and they have day trips that you can take. There are options of sailing, scuba diving, canyoning, rock climbing and french lessons, among other things. We were really hoping to go canyoning but since its still a bit of a low season and the water is still freezing, not many people had signed up so we didnt get the chance. Bummer! We did however spend and afternoon up in Eze and in Monaco, and this afternoon we took the bus to Cannes and just sat on the beach for while. Where unfortunately Jenna got sand in my camera lense. We are going camera shopping tomorrow. BAH. But its our only large misfortune so far which I am thankful for!
We have spent every evening in our hostel being up until two or four am, just mingling with other travellers and we have met some really great people! We love it here but unfortunately its our last night tonight and then we are going to be leaving for Barcelona tomorrow.
We have read up/heard about the Swine Flu and are all caught up now (not having been paying attention to news in the world right now really). Its made its way into Austria, Germany and England too - so our travels to Spain aren't going to be delayed. We are just going to follow through with our plan and hope that we dont catch it!
Hope all is well at home, my apologies for the short post and lack of posts lately! I guess we have just been making too many friends! WEIRD.
Hope the snow melts soon!
Love, Ash
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Football!
A quick post here as we await to check into our new hostel!
Our day yesterday became action-packed at a pretty quick rate so I figure I may as well fill you guys in!
We ended up not being able to find where we had seen the directions to the Chocolate and Cheese Factory, and having already left the hostel, we wandered to the Botanical Gardens instead! It was a sure site to see and we spent about an hour or so just wandering. It was so peaceful. From there we made a stop at the post office and sat to decided what to do - we were planning on leaving for our hike after dinner to catch the sunset so we had a few hours to kill. We ended up grabbing McFlurries (ha) and sitting at the fountain across from the Tram Stop for some assured interesting people-watching. We spent almost two hours there!
We dropped back into the hostel to eat some leftovers for dinner and look for a place to stay in Lausanne (where we are currently). While browsing the internet, a German guy came to make some polite drunken chat with us, asking about our travelling and why we were here. Then six more of them emerged and next thing we new we were drinking free beer in the hostel visiting with some serious characters. They were quite a hoot, one bigger guy pumping some serious techno from his phone and dancing throughout the commons area. They explained to us how they were huge hockey fans and how they take trips all across Europe to watch hockey and football (soccer), a few of them having even gone to Halifax just for hockey and drinking!
They explained to us that there was a minor league game that night and they invited us along. We were a bit skepitcal until it became clear that it was already seven and there was no chance we were going to make it to the hill for sunset. We joined them as did an American guy, Kevin who was also staying in the hostel. They assured us there would be tickets and scoped out scalpers for us (how nice of them! hahaha). While we waited with one of them, he explained to us that this stadium was nothing compared to German or English football games, for it only sat 10 000 and typically they go to games where it seats 90 000. There were thousands of people still packed outside of the stadium chanting and drinking beer like crazy. Some guys had just bags of it between their feet, chugging it before they entered.
Two of the German guys were cops who get to control riots and fights at football games in Germany and he explained that of the 90 000 seats and the people that wait outside of the stadium, usually more than half are waiting outside just to start a brawl. And that if Eastern Germany were playing Western Germany they have a lot of problems with Nazis too. Still, he said that England is worse but if we arent the kind of people to call on the other team that we would be alright. Hahaha.
For having it been a smaller stadium and not sold out, there was still a handful of people there, some with huge flags and lucky us we were with the kind of guys who chanted throughout the entire game. Which allowed for serious laughter and good photos. I should have you all know that we had no idea what most of the chants were (They were in German), but we took pride in good ole SK and did a few rider and defense chants during the game.
Afterward we caught the tram back to the hostel and went dancing at the bar underneath. Jenna and I wore our Ladies Night shirts and danced like there was no tomorrow. Which allowed for most of the people in the bar to assume we were hammered but we had only had two or three beer. The Germans on the other hand had been drinking since the afternoon and were completely wasted, doing the twist and letting us spin them while one person was designated to take photos. When we get the photos I will make sure that they get posted!
We made an agreement with the big guy, Gustoph, that if he woke up early and bought groceries that we would make breakfast. So we went to bed around three, not expecting Gustoph or any of the Germans in fact to make it for breakfast. With a little knock on our door this morning Gustoph was awake and gleaming as we made breakfast for two of them while the others were already pre drinking for the Junior Hockey Championships this afternoon.
All in all, the Germans were great - dance ringtones and all. And we are sure that the Swiss people and the Germans too, believe that all Canadians love to dress ridiculously and are dancing machines.
Miss you all!
Our day yesterday became action-packed at a pretty quick rate so I figure I may as well fill you guys in!
We ended up not being able to find where we had seen the directions to the Chocolate and Cheese Factory, and having already left the hostel, we wandered to the Botanical Gardens instead! It was a sure site to see and we spent about an hour or so just wandering. It was so peaceful. From there we made a stop at the post office and sat to decided what to do - we were planning on leaving for our hike after dinner to catch the sunset so we had a few hours to kill. We ended up grabbing McFlurries (ha) and sitting at the fountain across from the Tram Stop for some assured interesting people-watching. We spent almost two hours there!
We dropped back into the hostel to eat some leftovers for dinner and look for a place to stay in Lausanne (where we are currently). While browsing the internet, a German guy came to make some polite drunken chat with us, asking about our travelling and why we were here. Then six more of them emerged and next thing we new we were drinking free beer in the hostel visiting with some serious characters. They were quite a hoot, one bigger guy pumping some serious techno from his phone and dancing throughout the commons area. They explained to us how they were huge hockey fans and how they take trips all across Europe to watch hockey and football (soccer), a few of them having even gone to Halifax just for hockey and drinking!
They explained to us that there was a minor league game that night and they invited us along. We were a bit skepitcal until it became clear that it was already seven and there was no chance we were going to make it to the hill for sunset. We joined them as did an American guy, Kevin who was also staying in the hostel. They assured us there would be tickets and scoped out scalpers for us (how nice of them! hahaha). While we waited with one of them, he explained to us that this stadium was nothing compared to German or English football games, for it only sat 10 000 and typically they go to games where it seats 90 000. There were thousands of people still packed outside of the stadium chanting and drinking beer like crazy. Some guys had just bags of it between their feet, chugging it before they entered.
Two of the German guys were cops who get to control riots and fights at football games in Germany and he explained that of the 90 000 seats and the people that wait outside of the stadium, usually more than half are waiting outside just to start a brawl. And that if Eastern Germany were playing Western Germany they have a lot of problems with Nazis too. Still, he said that England is worse but if we arent the kind of people to call on the other team that we would be alright. Hahaha.
For having it been a smaller stadium and not sold out, there was still a handful of people there, some with huge flags and lucky us we were with the kind of guys who chanted throughout the entire game. Which allowed for serious laughter and good photos. I should have you all know that we had no idea what most of the chants were (They were in German), but we took pride in good ole SK and did a few rider and defense chants during the game.
Afterward we caught the tram back to the hostel and went dancing at the bar underneath. Jenna and I wore our Ladies Night shirts and danced like there was no tomorrow. Which allowed for most of the people in the bar to assume we were hammered but we had only had two or three beer. The Germans on the other hand had been drinking since the afternoon and were completely wasted, doing the twist and letting us spin them while one person was designated to take photos. When we get the photos I will make sure that they get posted!
We made an agreement with the big guy, Gustoph, that if he woke up early and bought groceries that we would make breakfast. So we went to bed around three, not expecting Gustoph or any of the Germans in fact to make it for breakfast. With a little knock on our door this morning Gustoph was awake and gleaming as we made breakfast for two of them while the others were already pre drinking for the Junior Hockey Championships this afternoon.
All in all, the Germans were great - dance ringtones and all. And we are sure that the Swiss people and the Germans too, believe that all Canadians love to dress ridiculously and are dancing machines.
Miss you all!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Switzerland
Dear Family and friends,
We had decided to change up our plans just a bit, with our number of rides left on our rail pass and the places we were looking to see, we came to the conclusion that it would make more sense to do Eastern Europe on its own another trip. SO, we skipped Hungary and the Czech Republic as planned and moved up North into Switzerland. I personally didnt know what we were getting ourselves into, since Ive never really taken much of an interest in Switzerland before.
The seven hour train ride from Venice to Milan, Milan to Brig, Brig to Bern - dumbfounded me entirely. I still cannot believe that in the span of a couple of hours how much can change! Once we crossed the boarded between Italy and Switzerland, it was like being in an entirely new world. The shutters on the windows still apparent, but the mountains, lakes, greenery, log homes and gingerbread-house-feel became apparent very quickly!
We have been in Bern now since Tuesday and the Swiss have shown us nothing but hospitality and a sense of home! The streets are so nicely paved, the trams wizz by with not a sound (which is nice, but no so nice if you arent paying attention to where you are walking!), the sidewalks are clean and they drive like decent people here! The people are laid-back and friendly, and each street you walk down has a vintage feel. The houses are gorgeous and the yards so well maintained! Grandma, you wouldnt believe the gardens and antique stores here. We have done our fair share of browsing and if I could afford/transport half of these things to you I would do it in a minute!
We spent our first evening just looking around, wandering into the more Modern area of the city and paying more than necessary for a hot chocolate from Starbucks (it was necessary, we hadnt had a good hot chocolate the entire trip!). We woke up early yesterday to get a head start. We bought groceries (there is a kitchen in our hostel!), made breakfast and set out to RopeTech. Costing 30 Swiss Francs, RopeTech is a ropes course just on the edge of town. Looking hot in our harnesses and helmets, we started at the third level (each level divided by difficulty). SO, we climbed ladders, crossed the tight rope and zip lined (that was the best part) through the trees of Switzerland at a pretty quick pace, loving every minute! NOW. Jenna and I both loved the zip line an equal amount, and when we were on the sixth level I think it was, there was a huge one and I got a bit carried away. Jumped for some serious speed (break-shin speed we call it now), a bit too fast and managed to bash my shins, currently flaunting about 2 or 3 foot bruises on each one. OUCH! A bit sore, we made our way to the seventh level. Lets just cut it short and say that I hate climbing across the rope nets and shimmying upside down from one end of the rope to the other. The swinging logs got the best of me and I quit just before the great ziplines that came afterward AND a freefall! Bummed!
We sat and ate our picnic lunch, then set out to window shop (one of our favourite past times). We also paid 6 Francs and took a tour of Einsteins former home, where he lived for three years. It was in those three years that he was acknowledged for his theories, so the Swiss take pretty great pride in that! It was really interesting. We got back to the hostel around seven, made some spaghetti (still delicious!), and bummed around for the rest of the evening.
Today we slept in big time, and are planning on heading to the Chocolate Factory and the Cheese Factory, and then hiking up on of the paths to get the best view of Bern at sunset. Romantic, I know.
I should also mention that our people-watching past time has gotten fairly out of hand, and Dad you wouldnt have believed our fate on our train ride here! We had about an hour wait in the train station in Milan - where we witnessed such people as Bullfrog, an old woman with six suitcases who sat upright, falling asleep on a regular basis but eyes springing open at almost any sign of movement. Snarl-woman, who managed to raise her lip like Elvis each time she glared at anybody. Wedgie-man, who stood in his suit trying to casually rid himself of his wedgie without anybody noticing. We noticed. Hilarious! I cant even begin with the people who were seated in our car with us.
All in all, Switzerland rules, I wish I had my longboard (the streets are so smooth and biking is a huge thing here - bike rentals for free beginning on the 26th!), I will be back someday WITH my longboard, we leave tomorrow for Geneve, then France and I hope we get free samples at the chocolate factory today.
I wish I could have packed all of you in my backpack with me, and miss all of you terribly!
Love, Ash
We had decided to change up our plans just a bit, with our number of rides left on our rail pass and the places we were looking to see, we came to the conclusion that it would make more sense to do Eastern Europe on its own another trip. SO, we skipped Hungary and the Czech Republic as planned and moved up North into Switzerland. I personally didnt know what we were getting ourselves into, since Ive never really taken much of an interest in Switzerland before.
The seven hour train ride from Venice to Milan, Milan to Brig, Brig to Bern - dumbfounded me entirely. I still cannot believe that in the span of a couple of hours how much can change! Once we crossed the boarded between Italy and Switzerland, it was like being in an entirely new world. The shutters on the windows still apparent, but the mountains, lakes, greenery, log homes and gingerbread-house-feel became apparent very quickly!
We have been in Bern now since Tuesday and the Swiss have shown us nothing but hospitality and a sense of home! The streets are so nicely paved, the trams wizz by with not a sound (which is nice, but no so nice if you arent paying attention to where you are walking!), the sidewalks are clean and they drive like decent people here! The people are laid-back and friendly, and each street you walk down has a vintage feel. The houses are gorgeous and the yards so well maintained! Grandma, you wouldnt believe the gardens and antique stores here. We have done our fair share of browsing and if I could afford/transport half of these things to you I would do it in a minute!
We spent our first evening just looking around, wandering into the more Modern area of the city and paying more than necessary for a hot chocolate from Starbucks (it was necessary, we hadnt had a good hot chocolate the entire trip!). We woke up early yesterday to get a head start. We bought groceries (there is a kitchen in our hostel!), made breakfast and set out to RopeTech. Costing 30 Swiss Francs, RopeTech is a ropes course just on the edge of town. Looking hot in our harnesses and helmets, we started at the third level (each level divided by difficulty). SO, we climbed ladders, crossed the tight rope and zip lined (that was the best part) through the trees of Switzerland at a pretty quick pace, loving every minute! NOW. Jenna and I both loved the zip line an equal amount, and when we were on the sixth level I think it was, there was a huge one and I got a bit carried away. Jumped for some serious speed (break-shin speed we call it now), a bit too fast and managed to bash my shins, currently flaunting about 2 or 3 foot bruises on each one. OUCH! A bit sore, we made our way to the seventh level. Lets just cut it short and say that I hate climbing across the rope nets and shimmying upside down from one end of the rope to the other. The swinging logs got the best of me and I quit just before the great ziplines that came afterward AND a freefall! Bummed!
We sat and ate our picnic lunch, then set out to window shop (one of our favourite past times). We also paid 6 Francs and took a tour of Einsteins former home, where he lived for three years. It was in those three years that he was acknowledged for his theories, so the Swiss take pretty great pride in that! It was really interesting. We got back to the hostel around seven, made some spaghetti (still delicious!), and bummed around for the rest of the evening.
Today we slept in big time, and are planning on heading to the Chocolate Factory and the Cheese Factory, and then hiking up on of the paths to get the best view of Bern at sunset. Romantic, I know.
I should also mention that our people-watching past time has gotten fairly out of hand, and Dad you wouldnt have believed our fate on our train ride here! We had about an hour wait in the train station in Milan - where we witnessed such people as Bullfrog, an old woman with six suitcases who sat upright, falling asleep on a regular basis but eyes springing open at almost any sign of movement. Snarl-woman, who managed to raise her lip like Elvis each time she glared at anybody. Wedgie-man, who stood in his suit trying to casually rid himself of his wedgie without anybody noticing. We noticed. Hilarious! I cant even begin with the people who were seated in our car with us.
All in all, Switzerland rules, I wish I had my longboard (the streets are so smooth and biking is a huge thing here - bike rentals for free beginning on the 26th!), I will be back someday WITH my longboard, we leave tomorrow for Geneve, then France and I hope we get free samples at the chocolate factory today.
I wish I could have packed all of you in my backpack with me, and miss all of you terribly!
Love, Ash
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Venezia
Dear family and friends,
We arrived in Venice yesterday evening after a days worth of train-hopping and Mcdonalds-eating. Thank god our hostel was pretty easy to find, just caught a boat straight from the train station! We threw our things into our lockers and set out to wander around Venice - find out where the necessary things were (grocery store, laundry service, etc) and to find dinner. To our dismay the small island we are on (across from the main island) contains nothing of interest and no places to eat within our price range. We settled for a place just down the block, where we ate ear-shaped pasta, rock hard bread and bite size pieces of bruschetta for the low low price of 15€..AWESOME! Naht. Good thing Jenna threw out her back half way through the dinner service which made for a quick exit. She could barely rise from her chair so I helped her with her backpack and watched her try to walk out casually. While Jenna was disfigured and could barely walk, I took the liberty of signing the guest book with the comment of overpriced. Hahaha. Stiff-armed and moving only from the waist down, watching Jenna waddle up the steps of the hostel was HILARIOUS. She "chuck norrised" her back back into place once we were out of view of the public and all was back to normal. We showered and hit the sack.
We spent this afternoon wandering in the rain (yes, more rain) - Mainly wandering throughout the sidestreets and wishing that Venice were our home..(Though Cinque Terre will still remain my favourite!).
I havent had the chance to mention the rest of our Cinque Terre extravaganza! Our first day in Cinque Terre was a bit of a downer due to the rain, but around dinner the sky cleared up and we decided to head down to the water with a couple of beer to watch the sunset. We ended up meeting up with a couple of girls whom we had seen around town. We sat down at the "bar centrale"
(the only place that was open), and the girl who was travelling with her mother offered to buy some wine. We ended up drinking with the two of them, and a group of American guys also joined us. We all had a really great time and ended up staying out later than we had anticipated!
This gave us a bit of a late start the next morning, but we caught the train to Monterosso by 130 in the afternoon and began our hike. I should have you all know that from now on you can refer to me as the new Rocky, because the number of stairs we climbed was outrageous. Its been two days and I still feel the burn! The stairs up that hill were twice the heigth of an average Canadian stair and we climbed stairs (upward almost always) for the first three hours of our hike. The view was BEAUTIFUL and I would do it again, but I would probably walk the stairmaster on a regular basis before I return to Italy! Through the last two towns (Manorola and to Riomaggiore) the hike was more of a saunter, no stairs, just a short stroll. We ate dinner in Manorola - Jenna had Spaghetti and meat sauce and I had Spinach and Ricotta stuffed Ravioli with Pesto and Walnuts! MMMMMM. Cheap and delicious!
We miss Cinque Terre terribly already, but Venice is a sure treat. We are hoping the weather clears up sometime soon!
Hope all is well at home!
Love, Ash
We arrived in Venice yesterday evening after a days worth of train-hopping and Mcdonalds-eating. Thank god our hostel was pretty easy to find, just caught a boat straight from the train station! We threw our things into our lockers and set out to wander around Venice - find out where the necessary things were (grocery store, laundry service, etc) and to find dinner. To our dismay the small island we are on (across from the main island) contains nothing of interest and no places to eat within our price range. We settled for a place just down the block, where we ate ear-shaped pasta, rock hard bread and bite size pieces of bruschetta for the low low price of 15€..AWESOME! Naht. Good thing Jenna threw out her back half way through the dinner service which made for a quick exit. She could barely rise from her chair so I helped her with her backpack and watched her try to walk out casually. While Jenna was disfigured and could barely walk, I took the liberty of signing the guest book with the comment of overpriced. Hahaha. Stiff-armed and moving only from the waist down, watching Jenna waddle up the steps of the hostel was HILARIOUS. She "chuck norrised" her back back into place once we were out of view of the public and all was back to normal. We showered and hit the sack.
We spent this afternoon wandering in the rain (yes, more rain) - Mainly wandering throughout the sidestreets and wishing that Venice were our home..(Though Cinque Terre will still remain my favourite!).
I havent had the chance to mention the rest of our Cinque Terre extravaganza! Our first day in Cinque Terre was a bit of a downer due to the rain, but around dinner the sky cleared up and we decided to head down to the water with a couple of beer to watch the sunset. We ended up meeting up with a couple of girls whom we had seen around town. We sat down at the "bar centrale"
(the only place that was open), and the girl who was travelling with her mother offered to buy some wine. We ended up drinking with the two of them, and a group of American guys also joined us. We all had a really great time and ended up staying out later than we had anticipated!
This gave us a bit of a late start the next morning, but we caught the train to Monterosso by 130 in the afternoon and began our hike. I should have you all know that from now on you can refer to me as the new Rocky, because the number of stairs we climbed was outrageous. Its been two days and I still feel the burn! The stairs up that hill were twice the heigth of an average Canadian stair and we climbed stairs (upward almost always) for the first three hours of our hike. The view was BEAUTIFUL and I would do it again, but I would probably walk the stairmaster on a regular basis before I return to Italy! Through the last two towns (Manorola and to Riomaggiore) the hike was more of a saunter, no stairs, just a short stroll. We ate dinner in Manorola - Jenna had Spaghetti and meat sauce and I had Spinach and Ricotta stuffed Ravioli with Pesto and Walnuts! MMMMMM. Cheap and delicious!
We miss Cinque Terre terribly already, but Venice is a sure treat. We are hoping the weather clears up sometime soon!
Hope all is well at home!
Love, Ash
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Goodbye Florence, Ciao Bella Cinque Terre!
Dear Everybody,
How are you! We are doing pretty great over here! We left Florence yesterday with the faulty directions of the Italians and had to switch a few trains to get here, but we made it and found a place to stay no problem! We are currently in Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre - a really great place right on the coast of the Meditteranean. It was quite a treat when we rolled in yesterday, it was igh twenties and the train station is right on the edge of a big ole cliff, so we got off to look right onto the sea. It was so great.
We are staying in a ten person dorm, but have managed to swindle into a room on our own - which is also pretty great. The beds and pillows arent quite as comfortable, and the kitchen not nearly as equiped as the last, but the scenery sure kicks Florence in the butt. Dont get me wrong I love Florence all in its own, but holy crap. Cinque Terre is already a new favourite!
Riomaggiore is just one of the five villages within Cinque Terre, there are various hiking routes that run through each of the villages - each with its own difficulty level. We were planning on catching the train to Monterosso this morning and hiking back on the main path, which is estimated to take 5 or 6 hours - except that we awoke to a rainy day, and most of the paths are closed due to the fact that they will be too slippery/dangerous to hike through. Bah humbug! So our fingers are crossed that tomorrow will warm up, if not then the next day, and if not then I dont know how long we can wait around in a small town - even if it is beautiful!
For now, we have our beds booked until Saturday when we are schedualed to check out, but the woman promised that we could stay up until November first. I tried to swindle that I would clean the dorms if she let me live for free, but she only laughed..I was serious!
I guess I havent updated much about Florence really - thing is we wandered about a lot, suntanned a fair amount and just lounged around and rested up from Rome. We a slice of pizza three days in a row at this great place called Pizzeria ToTo and a fair amount of gelato. It was HOT while we were in Florence - we are both so tanned. I also had the chance to meet up with the Sheldon Europe 09 group, Mr Sveinson treated Jenna and I to some gelato and a few brews, he also delivered mail from Danielle! Yahoo! We got to visit with him and he strongly urged us to hit up Cinque Terre on our way to Venice - Thank You, Mr S! Tuesday evening we ate out ( how weird!) at a small ristorante called Dell Angollo, where I ate the largest calzone known to man! Then we met with Mr Sveinson and teachers, drank a beer and made our way to Space Electric, a rockin (hahaha) disco near our hostel, where we got in for free because he explained that we were chaperones! Which also entitled us to three or four free drinks! Right on!
I should also mention that we took a five hour saunter up to Piazzale Michaelangelo to catch a view of Florence, hoping to wander through some really great gardens, only to discover that they cost 10€, so we just took the long way instead. We did manage to see some really great houses along the way, and devised plans to marry sleazy Italian men and then divorce them and take the villa in our name. Just kiddig. I think.
Anyway, fingers crossed that tomorrow the sun will come out and we can do the hike. So bummed about this afternoon!
I miss you all at home and wish you were seeing these great sites with us.
Love, Ash
How are you! We are doing pretty great over here! We left Florence yesterday with the faulty directions of the Italians and had to switch a few trains to get here, but we made it and found a place to stay no problem! We are currently in Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre - a really great place right on the coast of the Meditteranean. It was quite a treat when we rolled in yesterday, it was igh twenties and the train station is right on the edge of a big ole cliff, so we got off to look right onto the sea. It was so great.
We are staying in a ten person dorm, but have managed to swindle into a room on our own - which is also pretty great. The beds and pillows arent quite as comfortable, and the kitchen not nearly as equiped as the last, but the scenery sure kicks Florence in the butt. Dont get me wrong I love Florence all in its own, but holy crap. Cinque Terre is already a new favourite!
Riomaggiore is just one of the five villages within Cinque Terre, there are various hiking routes that run through each of the villages - each with its own difficulty level. We were planning on catching the train to Monterosso this morning and hiking back on the main path, which is estimated to take 5 or 6 hours - except that we awoke to a rainy day, and most of the paths are closed due to the fact that they will be too slippery/dangerous to hike through. Bah humbug! So our fingers are crossed that tomorrow will warm up, if not then the next day, and if not then I dont know how long we can wait around in a small town - even if it is beautiful!
For now, we have our beds booked until Saturday when we are schedualed to check out, but the woman promised that we could stay up until November first. I tried to swindle that I would clean the dorms if she let me live for free, but she only laughed..I was serious!
I guess I havent updated much about Florence really - thing is we wandered about a lot, suntanned a fair amount and just lounged around and rested up from Rome. We a slice of pizza three days in a row at this great place called Pizzeria ToTo and a fair amount of gelato. It was HOT while we were in Florence - we are both so tanned. I also had the chance to meet up with the Sheldon Europe 09 group, Mr Sveinson treated Jenna and I to some gelato and a few brews, he also delivered mail from Danielle! Yahoo! We got to visit with him and he strongly urged us to hit up Cinque Terre on our way to Venice - Thank You, Mr S! Tuesday evening we ate out ( how weird!) at a small ristorante called Dell Angollo, where I ate the largest calzone known to man! Then we met with Mr Sveinson and teachers, drank a beer and made our way to Space Electric, a rockin (hahaha) disco near our hostel, where we got in for free because he explained that we were chaperones! Which also entitled us to three or four free drinks! Right on!
I should also mention that we took a five hour saunter up to Piazzale Michaelangelo to catch a view of Florence, hoping to wander through some really great gardens, only to discover that they cost 10€, so we just took the long way instead. We did manage to see some really great houses along the way, and devised plans to marry sleazy Italian men and then divorce them and take the villa in our name. Just kiddig. I think.
Anyway, fingers crossed that tomorrow the sun will come out and we can do the hike. So bummed about this afternoon!
I miss you all at home and wish you were seeing these great sites with us.
Love, Ash
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
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