Roamin' Rome

A group of 8 of us set out for Rome at 9am. It was a 6 hour train ride with one transfer in Pisa, so kind of long, but not really I guess. We just stretched out our legs and enjoyed the ride. It was raining on and off the whole ride so we got to see a few rainbows too! Always neat. When we got into Rome, 4 of us were at one hostel 3 at another and 1 at a hotel. So we set out to find them. Ours was only 2 blocks from the train station. I'd call that conveniently located! It was kind of a strange place though. I booked a room with Heidi and our room wasn't located where the reception and other rooms were. We had to go outside and half way around the block to get to our room. It was located in an apartment type thing. I'm pretty sure we slept in the utility room because it was small, completely tiled, and the water heater was there. But whatever, we were only going to be using that for sleep.

A nice thing about that hostel was it served dinner, included in the price. So we ate there, and boy, I sure was hungry! I hadn't eaten much except a smaller hostel breakfast, and an orange and a cookie on the train. Now it was 7pm. And don't you go and think I'm not taking care of myself because there are times I don't eat. Trust me, it's not because I don't want to, it's because there is no food around at all and I wasn't expecting that to be the case. But I ate dinner and was still hungry so Heidi and I went to the grocery store and I got sammich materials and after that, I was feeling much better. I got to talking to a few boys from Leeds and we played cards for a while. Then a few other people came in and we pretty much talked the rest of the night until "curfew" at 1130, then bed.

In the morning, we had a hostel breakfast and headed to the Colosseum to meet up with everyone for a day of exploring the city. Well, half the group decided to go to the Vatican first. Whatever. We then went inside and walked around. It was very cool and one of the places that I actually wanted to pay for to go see. It was 12 Euro to get in. We could have gone on a tour for 22, but they didn't want to. I did, but after walking around and seeing other tours, I realized that I still don't like tours regardless, so I saved money. But it was still very cool inside. Imagine yourself there when the games were going on. 50,000 people fit in there. 50,000 screaming Romans, must have been intense. Heidi and I then went to see the exhibits they had, basically it was old art. One thing I noticed and thought was strange was when referring to the gods, they used the Greek names instead of the Roman. Weird right? Maybe I'm just a nerd... Well, after that, we got split up from the other people and stuck around for a while looking for them. At this time, the rain had really started and looked as if it didn't want to let up. It didn't. So we looked inside and didn't see them then walked around the building twice and didn't see them and by that time I had to get away from there. In Rome, I think there are people that live underground and when they feel one raindrop, they all pop out and try to sell you umbrellas. Since we didn't think it was going to rain, we were a prime target. After being asked so many times, I was getting very frustrated and ended up yelling "No, I don't want an umbrella, leave me alone!" Well, of course after I said that 3 people simultaneously said "My friend, do you want an umbrella?" Oh my goodness gracious, can you see why I may have gotten a little upset? I was just tired of people approaching me trying to sell me something. There were also people trying to sell me a tour of the Colosseum. They would approach you and ask "Do you speak English?" As we were about to go in, one guy did that to me and I tried to ignore him but he wouldn't go away so I said I didn't speak English and was from France. Then I started to walk toward the entrance and turned around and said "No, I'm just kidding" to his reply "Well, have fun waiting in a 40 minute line!" So I thanked him and went on my way. I probably should have said I was deaf because I know more ASL than French...Next time right?

Anyway, we started to walk in the opposite direction of the Colosseum to get away from tourist-town. We were also getting hungry and a little chilly; I was only wearing my flannel. We stumbled upon a little pizzeria and the people there were very friendly. Before we even said anything they handed us paper towels to dry off a bit. They also offered to let me put my flannel on the pizza oven. I refused but later thought I should have taken them up on that. I would have gotten wet after, but at least it would have been warm when I put it back on! But they were really nice and just what I needed after the money hungry solicitors. Plus, the pizza was really good.

After lunch we decided to go see some other sights, but it was still rainy and we were still cold, so we thought, let's walk for a while and then stop for some tea or hot chocolate or something and then see what we want. Well, we certainly walked for a while. The rain was constant but varied in intensiveness. So basically we were soaked to the bone and wanted something warm. We found one place and needed to cross the street to get to it and while we were waiting at the stoplight, a kind local came and sheltered us under his umbrella. I had heard that the Italians where kind of stuck up, but I think that it is just the ones by the popular spots or something because once a little off the beaten path, people were nice to us. Maybe just out of sympathy since we were soaked to the bone, through the bone, rain was coming out of our bones. Well, we got to the restaurant and asked for some hot chocolate and the guy behind the counter asked if we wanted to sit at a table, so we did. Then finally, after all the walking though the rain, we got our delicious hot chocolate. It may have been the best I've ever had, and not just because I was cold. It was thick, the hot liquid pudding! Mmmm, good. They also gave us a menu to look at so we looked to see how much hot chocolate was. Before, I was thinking I would get another cup regardless of the price. Then I saw it was 5 euro, holy crap! It was good, but kind of small for 5 euro. Then we got the bill and there was a 20% table charge so we paid 12 euro for 2 cups of hot chocolate. We got ripped off! But oh well. Then we walked back to the hostel and saw another rainbow! Once back, we changed into dry clothes and Heidi showered. I wrapped myself up in a blanket and read until I fell asleep. I think I took a 2 hour nap or so. Musta been tired. We had dinner at the hostel and went to the grocery store to buy food for our train the next day. Gonna be prepared this time! We only stayed in Rome for 2 nights and I was glad to get out. I have not been a fan of the big cities, they are too big... Back at the hostel, we talked again till curfew. There was a guy from Cali, New York, a Frenchman, 2 Brazilians, and one guy from England. Quite a mix. I had a fun time talking with all them.

Our train went to Catania Sicily and left at 7am. This one was a 9 hour ride but we didn't have to transfer at all. So there was a lot of reading and playing cards. And I was so happy we stopped for food otherwise I would not have been a happy kid. There was a food cart that I could have bought stuff from but it would be over priced. We got into Catania and it was dark already. And we had no idea where the hostel was. So we started walking and asked 3 or 4 people but no one knew where it was. Finally, I asked a taxi driver and he told us where it was, or he could drive us for 10 euro. So we took the cab and good thing we did. I don't think we would have ever found it. After checking in, we went to a laundromat because we still have wet stuff from the day before and I hadn't washed for about 3 weeks. Seemed like a good idea. Clean clothes are nice. We signed up for a volcano tour of Mt Etna for the morning and then went to bed.

It was a nice hostel except for 2 things. The beds were really loud when you moved around in them, and their were little mosquitoes and ate you alive in your sleep, so I woke up itchy. We went down for breakfast and learned that the tour was canceled due to bad weather so that day we decided to go for a walk and explore the coast instead. It was supposed to storm in the afternoon but ended up being a beautiful day with only a little rain in the morning. So we started out toward to coast and walked up and down it, I have no idea how far. Approximately all day. But there were a lot of stops for pictures. When we went back, we stopped at a market to buy stuff for dinner since the hostel had a kitchen. Ground beef, spaghetti, parmesan, tomato sauce, lettuce, and broccoli. Made spaghetti and meatballs. We didn't have real dressing for the salad so we used olive oil, red wine, salt and pepper, and cheese. A pretty decent dressing. It made a lot so we had left overs for the next day! At this hostel, we met 2 aussies, 3 english guys, and 2 dutch girls. What else is there to do except a some wine, talk and play cards all night? I think I'm getting the hang of this hostel business because these last hostels have been fun. We also signed up for another volcano tour but after Heidi went to bed, I talked with one of the aussies and she said she and her friend were going up there tomorrow too but not taking the tour. I thought that sounded more fun but I didn't cancel until I found out it was ok with Heidi. That morning I found out it was so I cancelled and waited for everyone to get ready. But, since it is not tourist time, there are not many buses that go to Etna so we missed the only one going. Darn. Another day of exploring the island. And buy did I have fun. We took the bus till we were a little further than we went yesterday I walked north. Pretty much the whole time we walked, I was running and jumping over the rocks. That was so much fun! Made me want to go to Interstate park when I get home but then I realized it would be the middle of December...

The end of the line for us was at _____. Yeah, I don't remember the name but it is where the Cyclops threw huge boulders at Odysseus after he escaped. They are still there, neat huh?! We ate at a shore side restaurant and I had seafood risotto. They know their food they do! Then after stopping to get gelato (pistachio) we jumped on a bus back to the hostel. We met another Aussie and Heidi invited him to eat dinner with us since we weren't that hungry and had food to eat. I had also invited the other aussies to eat so now I thought we might not have enough food. But the new aussie (Alex) felt bad so bought more pasta and sauce. I think he was going to buy the normal sized 90 bag but he came back with a kilo of pasta! No shortage now. The stove I was using was like a little camper stove that had a lid you could close when no using it. It was leaning against the wall and I thought it was semi secure. But when I was moving around pots I bumped it and it fell over pushing off this huge pot of boiling water and pasta. Fortunately, with my quick reflexes and shoes I moved out of the way and only got a splash on my shoe that started to get hot. No serious burn. Also, the pot landed up so we only lost a little pasta! Kind of funny. Good thing it wasn't the sauce or that could have been messy!

After 5 of us had eaten, there was a lot left so Heidi searched the hostel to find hungry people. I guess no one was really there cuz she only found 2, and older German man and an Asian kid. So we fed them with more leftover. What to do that night but more talking and cards? Good stuff. After an hour or 2 passed, I got hungry again and ate the rest of the food.

My nest destination was Crete. I bought a plane ticket here with 2 transfers that cost $350 but got here in one day. I could have taken the train but it would have been 200 something dollars and taken a day or 2. So the plane sounded better. The first flight left at 710am so I got to the airport at about 5. When I was checking in, something happened that that flight might have been cancelled so I got switched to an earlier flight that was leaving very soon. So I ran to security and budged A LOT of people but I didn't care, I didn't want to miss that flight. I made it, got on and fell asleep. I think that might be a good way of doing things. If I had a day of travels ahead of me, just stay up really late the days before it and sleep during the travels. On 2 out of 3 of the flights I don't remember take off or landing. I also took a nap in the airport waiting for the next flight but got kicked awake by the police who told me to sit in a chair. You couldn't lay down in the chairs though cuz there were arm rests, and the floor was so comfy! Oh well, I had to get my boarding pass anyway. I flew from Catania to Rome to Athens to Crete, 7 hours. When I got to Crete, I grabbed my bag and found they took everyone out of the top pouch so I lost all my pens except the one I had with me. Usually I keep a mini notebook and alarm clock there but I had those with me. I don't remember what else might have been in there but it wasn't important. Sucks I lost my pens though... Well, then I caught a bus to Rethymno and found my hostel. Seems like a nice place. One of the girls in the program stayed here and really liked it. So I dropped off my stuff and went out to eat. I wanted a nice Greek restaurant and found one. For dinner I had a Greek salad, feta from the oven (awesome), and a gyro. It was all really good and I was nice and full and happy. Then it was off to the shower and bed.

Well, I was sleeping good but I guess I was keeping someone awake by snoring. At about 3 or 4 in the morning he shook my bed and came over and said "You're snoring, stop it." Like you can make yourself stop snoring. Whatever, I ignored it and fell back asleep. Then 2 hours or so later he kicked my bed again but didn't say anything. The last time he kicked it was at about 7 or 8 and I am pretty sure I wasn't even asleep. It was pretty irritating and he's kind of a jerk, or maybe had a bad day. In either case, snoring is to be expected in a hostel. Deal with it. Well, this morning, I talked to the manager and switched rooms so I don't have to talk to him or deal with him for the rest of my stay. Seriously? Stop snoring? Some people...

I Climbed Lady of the Lake

Nancy was fun. It was a lot of fun to see someone in Europe who I know and could show me around his town. We went to a few cathedrals and the park and went on a hike. The nature hike was a lot of fun. Blake said that there were no squirrels or wild life in Nancy and I did not believe him at all. So on our hike I had my eyes pealed for a squirrel and I did not see one! I was so shocked. Seems really weird that they wouldn't have any. But they have a lot of pigeons and crows. We did see a couple rens and bats. That was neat. A bat is like a rat is like a squirrel. Does that count? Dang. But the walk was fun anyway. Nice to walk through the forest for a while. I could not do that in London.

After the walk, we had dinner in their cafeteria. I haven't eaten cafeteria food in a while, but it wasn't too bad. Then we went out to another bar but again, I didn't really want a beer so I got a nougat milkshake instead. Only it was more milky than shaky. But it was still good I guess. Then another early-ish night. I got the floor this time and it wasn't that bad. Just a couple blankets laid on the ground but good enough for me!

There was also a little zoo we went to a few times. They had peacocks that just walked around wherever they felt, in a fenced area or out. There were also goats, rams, and various water fowl. The best thing was a family of macocks, they're like monkeys. They were funny little guys that got into lots a of mischief. Their was a baby that clung to his mummy the whole time. Also, there was a little guy that liked to start fights with others. It was fun to watch them but also said because they were in a zoo...

On another day, we went to the library and I got on the internet and Blake studied for a bit. After that was done, we went a got a pastry! Yummy, mine was called religious (but in French) and had a lot of chocolate filling. Oh it was good! We ate that in the park and then went on another walk around the town. The day after that, I caught my train back to Paris to connect to Evry. That ride went just fine. I got there and jumped on the RER to Evry and checked into my hotel without much troubles there.

Now, Evry is next to Lisses and Courcouronnes. These towns are were David Belle and his friends started parkour, so it was fun for me to go and see all the places I've seen in the videos. There is a climbing wall called la Dam du Lac that is very iconic in the parkour community. Technically, it is blocked off to the public, but just by a fence, so it's not hard for someone like me to get over! I climbed on it one day and it was really cool to do. I will have to come back in a few years and climb on it again. That was basically all I did while in Evry. Everyday I went to the Dam du Lac and just looked at it. Fun for me!

The first day I got into Evry was the 4th, I think we all know what was going on on that day. I tried to watch the coverage but I only have French channels. There were some covering it, but speaking french so I watched those a caught a bit of English and looked at the pictures. I wanted to stay up and watch the electoral votes come in, but at 2 McCain was winning 13 to 3 and I was tired, so I set an alarm for 7 to see the results. When I got up, I wasn't exactly sure who won, but they were talking about Obama a lot so I could only assume he did. It really wasn't as exciting as it would have been to hear straight up 'the next president of the US will be Barack Obama'. Oh well, he won and that's all that matters. Thank goodness!

The last day I was there, I caught a train back to Paris and spent the day there wandering around because my train to Milan didn't leave until 745pm. Not much excitement here, I saw the Arc de Triumph which was neat for a minute or 2. Then I got bored. That night I wanted to have creme bruleé but didn't, so I have an eclair instead. A real French one too! Just as good right? I'll be back anyway, I'll get it then. The train to Milan was a sleeper so that was an experience. I didn't really sleep though because, again I was nervous about getting the right stop and the ticket man took my passport but he took everyone else's so it must have been normal but I wanted to know when I would get it back! So I got about 3 or 4 hours of sleep and got into Milan at 540. My train to Levanto left at 610 and was just a few platforms over so no worries on that. I slept a bit on that train and got to see the sunrise which was very pretty! Didn't get pictures though cuz I didn't want to get my camera out, sorry. I got into Levanto at 9 and found our hostel. Ian's wife was there on the computer and I sat down next to her and said 'uff-da'. She turned to me and without recognizing me (she really had no reason to do so) asked where I was from. I said Minneapolis and she said, me too, well 30 minutes from there in a town called River Falls. So I said, oh, I actually go to River Falls. She was surprised and said really?! But then it dawned on her. Kind of funny to play a little trick on her. Funny to me at least.

I was the first person to get there so I went on a hike with her and Ian. There are 5 villages in this area with paths between them so we walked one of those. I had been in shoes for a very long time and it was finally warm and safe enough (no glass) to go barefoot which was lovely. But I did get many strange looks again. I don't understand why though. One lady even took and picture of my feet. Weird right? I didn't care, I was happy with the cool mud I was walking on. The hike lasted about 3 hours and ended in a beer by the water. We then headed back to see who else had arrived. We got back and I went with those people to find food but it was about 430 and places around here don't open for dinner until 7 so we had to wait around hungry for a few hours before we could get any food! Ended up at an Italian place (surprised?) and got pesto! It was good, but I thought there would be more food because I was still hungry, but oh well. Time for bed.

The next day, I went out with Heidi and climbed around on the rocks by the sea for a while. I love doing that and Heidi isn't very experienced in that area but she was a trooper and did everything I did (almost). I was proud of her and I think she surprised herself. I liked coaching her on hand and foot holds. I think I could be a good rock climber coach! But I've been doing that a lot back home at Minnehaha Park so I have some experience. We went probably half a km before heading back. Then we walked on the beach and I made a sandcastle! Of course I did. It was a nice one too. Just a mound of sand, but I gave it rocks on top and rock windows and rock doors and a moat and a bridge. Very nice. Then I jumped on it. My philosophy is that when I leave, if I don't jump on it, someone else will, so why shouldn't I have that fun?

Well now I was dirty so we jumped in the water and swam around for a bit. It was chilly but you got used to it. Then it got chilly again. Maybe I just need a bit more fat on me to keep me warm in the water. Or not. The shower warmed be back up. Then a lot of card games before dinner. That night, we went to another Italian place (is that worth saying?). I got spaghetti frutti e mare. Sea food pasta basically. It had mussels, prawns, shrimp and calamari in it. It was yummy! Then someone couldn't finish their pizza so I ate that too! Ended the night with some gelato, and was that good! I had strawberry, pistachio, and chocolate, mmmmm. I like Italian food. After that, we went to the beach and talked in groups for a while. Not much night life in Levanto so we had to do something!

Today I went out by myself and played on the beach for about 4 hours. There is a little fresh water run off stream that goes to the sea so I found a coke can and made a little boat with a rudder and sail to float down that. I also made a few sand dams and just threw sand into the water for fun! It was a good time. When I got back, I found people playing cards again so I joined them and we played for a while. Then I got on the internet and it is free here, even though it says you need to pay, no one does, and no one says too. So yeah. Gonna have a group dinner in a bit so I have to shower up before that.

Oh yeah, one more thing; Now that I'm starting to travel, I don't know where I will be able to find internet or for how long. When I do find one, my first priority will be to find where I will be staying next so I cannot say how often I will be able to update this but I will do my best. So if nothing comes for a while, don't worry, I am most likely ok, I just haven't been able to find time and a computer. Got it? Good, I'm gonna go shower...

Halloween night

So, it started out just dandy. At 7pm, I went and got dinner from a middle eastern place which was good. I got a large kabob donnar or something like that, it was good though. Then I met Carly at the Greenman and we deiced that we would go out with the big group of people who were going out too instead of us just going together. We hopped on the train to go to the Fabric again but once again, the line was half way around the block so we all said screw that, we aren't waiting in that. So then we were gonna hop back on the tube and go to Leicester Square because apparently there are a lot of clubs in that area. But I didn't want to pay 4 pounds again because that's like 8 dollars so I just followed behind someone to get through the gate. When we got off, I had a little scare because when I followed someone back, I kind of ran into the gate as it was shutting but managed to squeeze though. I thought the guards saw me so I walked casually out of their sight and waited until everyone was out. And I didn't get caught. Even if I did, it was only a 20 pound fine so not really THAT bad. We then hit up a club that had a nice short line. I don't know what it was called but that doesn't matter much right? So we got in and I checked my coat and they gave me a ticket and I was like, dang, I hope I don't lose this... After that, we hit the dance floor. I really liked that club because they didn't constantly play crappy music. There was actually good music going on and a variety. When we first got in, Michael Jackson was playing so it had to have been a good place right? Then we danced the night away, but I could only dance half the night away because I had to get back to catch a bus to the airport at 3.

Now here is where the fun comes in. I left the club at about 2-2:15. I went to the coat room and realized I did lose my ticket and there was no way for me to get my jacket back. So I lost my Dickies sweatshirt. Good thing it wasn't my Carhartt though. I asked some people who were staying if they could try to grab it at the end, but they weren't able to so oh well, don't cry over spilled milk, right? But I really liked that sweatshirt...I did decide that I would buy one in the Czech Republic and then could say I got my jacket in the Czech Republic which would be pretty cool, plus, I think that's where I'll start to need it. Anyway, I ran back to the Greenman, about 2 miles I'd say. I only stopped when there was a car. I always amaze myself when I can run for a long time without having worked out in quite some time. Plus, it probably helped out that I was warmed up from dancing.

I got back at 2:45, grabbed my bag and ran to the bus stop. That was only about 4 blocks away, so not bad, but still a annoying to run with that big bag. When I finally got there, I was tired and hot and ugh! But I caught my bus okay. On the bus ride though, I was getting pretty queasy running, and car sickness but I managed to hold it in. My head was certainly spinning though. I caught my plane fine as well and slept the hour flight. Being asleep makes flights go by much faster.

I got into Charles de Gaulle, Paris at 840 and my train for Nancy left at 905. So I ran to an info desk and asked where the train station was, which was a 10 minute walk in the airport from where I was. So I grabbed my bag and booked it again. I got the the train station there and went to another info desk and she said I was at the wrong station. Crap. So I missed that train. I jumped on the RER (metro) and went to the right station, Gare de l'Est. When I got there, I looked for a ticket office but had a hard time finding it. Eventually I did though and waited in a 20 minute line. At the desk, the guy said that refunds could only be made within an hour after departure and it had been and hour and 10 or 20 minutes. But he was nice enough to refund it anyway so I only had to pay 20 extra Euro. That helped out the day a bit. I jumped on the train at 1042, about the time I was supposed to be in Nancy, but I wouldn't get there until 12:15. I was meeting my friend Blake there and hopefully he would be there or something. I was trying to send him my thoughts saying I was on the next train. So while on that train, I slept sporadically. I don't like sleeping on something where I don't know where I am because I don't want to miss my stop. Well, I successfully made it to Nancy but Blake wasn't at the station. So I wandered around looking for an internet cafe because I though he would have sent me a message. I found an apple store so I got on for free. Sneaky eh? He had sent me his number so now I needed to find a phone. The dumb thing about Nancy is that their pay phones will only accept a credit card that has a smart chip. I don't have that. So I ran around town looking for a phone I could use. I found a Best Western and asked in there. The lady replied asking if I had a room and obviously I didn't so she said 20 euro. What? do you mean 20 euro or 20 cents? Nope, 20 Euro, but I'd get it back. Kinda strange. So I made the call and it ended up only costing 90cents. And I finally got to meet Blake at the station. Quite an ordeal eh? Then we went back to his room and I met a few of his friends but had a very hard time keeping my eyes open. I think I took maybe a 15 or 20 minute nap and was dead to the world, according to Blake. After that, we went to get some food because I hadn't eaten much except 2 apples and something from a vending machine since 7pm the day before. It was now about 7pm the day of. After that we went to a bar and had a few drinks. I didn't want a beer so I had 5 glasses of water. It was good. Then finally we went back to his room and talked a bit and then went to sleep. That night he gave him his bed while he slept on the floor. Nice guy. So all in all, I had been awake with only an hour or 2 of sleep for about 40 hours. Wow. But why not? I'm in Europe. And it hasn't been too bad of a story right?